Hey, Craig Leopold, you still have Jim Balsillie's number kicking around?
If not, give Gary Bettman a call. I heard he was looking for it this morning.
According to the Tennessean, it looks like the rug is about to get pulled out from under Leopold's feet in his attempt to flog the Predators to a group headed by David Freeman.
If you are one of those who didn't see this one coming, you were probably caught off guard when the boat sank at the end of Titanic.
According to Freeman, the group wanted improvements to the Sommet Centre as well as some extra taxpayer money. The city laughed at them, leaving the deal on the ropes. In fact, the report states the group believes the sale may be dead in the water.
Turn towards Nashville and take a whiff. Smell that? Something stinks, and no, it isn't Reba's latest album.
Let's put the pieces together.
No matter who owns the team, the Preds need to average 14,000 paying customers this year to keep their lease agreement with the city in place. So, in order to achieve that, what does the team do to push that number over the top? Raise ticket prices by an average of 25 per cent, of course.
Why not just roll the moving trucks in right now? Load 'em up and head for Kansas City, which is exactly where the Predators will end up. Sorry Winnipeg.
This entire experiment should be history. Nashville and the NHL are not, in the least, made for each other. I highly doubt Kansas City is a better fit, but I don't have a vote.
A few months ago, the NHL board of governors could have pushed through Leopold's deal with Balsillie, rolled around naked in their millions and saved themselves a whole lot of embarrassment.
Instead, Bettman didn't like the way he played the game and gave Balsillie the boot.
Wonder if there is any love for Balsillie right now. If so, I hope the RIM magnate is facing the right way when the owners pucker up.
Somewhere, Jim Balsillie is laughing.