Forget the latest rounds of rumours for a moment. Step back some and look at this chess match of NHL proportions.As we the fans understand it, TNSE has been "involved" in chasing Atlanta Thrashers for relocation to Winnipeg. All the while, the NHL is probably thinking about Winnipeg as plan B for the Coyotes if IEH fails.So there are potentially two teams linked to Winnipeg. This unfolds later in this blog.Having leverage when negotiating is extremely important. All sides know this as a basic principle of business deal making.Therefore, the NHL will, in its best interest, hammer out a plan B deal with TNSE (or another group for this or another city) long before IEH fails publicly. Should IEH fail and TNSE learns of this before cutting a deal with the NHL, then the NHL loses some clout when cutting the deal. Therefore, there is motive for the NHL to keep trotting out IEH even after learning that they have failed just to maintain that bargaining position with TNSE and/or other groups. (I suggest that IEH is at death's door already for this reason alone.)This is why it is conceivable that the NHL would sign a deal or LOI with TNSE for the Coyotes to relocate to Winnipeg this summer all under the condition that IEH has "first right of refusal" until a certain date. Of course, this is assuming that the NHL first offers the team to Winnipeg and believes that our owners, fanbase, corporate base and rink are at least satisfactory for a team at a given minimum standard. (Consider the past few expansion phases and failures, any doubt about our market is less than current state NHL teams, especially these two teams.)Also, in any regard, TNSE can't bargain too hard with the NHL for fear that the NHL will just sell the team to another city that caves in to the NHL's demands. more »

Following a fellow supporter's suggestion, eyes turned on February 10th to the Winnipeg Free Press article "Talking to the boss" where Paul Wiecek interviewed Mark Chipman mostly about the AHL's Manitoba Moose. But Wiecek led off with two questions about the possible return of the NHL to Winnipeg.http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/moose/Talking-to-the-boss--84014237.htmlOver the years following Mark Chipman direct quotes, live audio and video (most of which are already posted on www.myNHLincludesWinnipeg.com), he has portrayed an optimistic yet grounded message whenever he has had the chance to "wave Manitoba's flag".One would be completely OFFside to find fault with Mark Chipman's public persona, past and present.Yet Mark Chipman's tone and message changed in this article for the first time yours truly can recall. From his normally upbeat "Winnipeg may very well be able to support the NHL now" message to one replaced by this: more »

Whenever the NHL has expanded in the past few expansion phases, there was a requirement for the new team to reach 12,000 season ticket equivalents, a certain threshold of advertizing dollars sold and a certain threshold of luxury boxes committed to, by a given deadline.For Winnipeg, that deadline may be much shorter than preferred for both the NHL and the club in question, since there may be a rush to move a team between seasons. And if the deadline is going to be a shorter window of opportunity, hopefully the requirements are also reduced somewhat to remain realistic.Manitoban NHL fans would be OFFside if they believe that the NHL will announce it's return without any sort of "catches". more »

A rumour suggests that one Gary Bettman flew by private jet into Winnipeg two weeks ago only to be whisked away by limo from the tarmack. The rumour concludes that the NHL Commissioner stayed in Winnipeg for a total of 6 hours before departing.Curiously no media reported on his arrival, departure or the nature of the visit. No press conference was held. So one would be OFFside not to ask if a visitor of this rank could escape hockey-mad Winnipeg without nary a trace beyond rumours, two weeks removed? more »