Hey, Winnipeg, see if this statement sounds at all familiar – The NHL’s Edmonton Oilers will not play at Rexall Place, even if it’s renovated, after their current lease expires in 2014. That’s what Oilers’ owner Daryl Katz, and his cronies, told Edmonton city council this week. The Katz Group then denied that there was any implied threat to move the team. (That thud was me falling off my chair, laughing) Ringing any bells, Winnipeg? Have any advice for Edmonton? I bet you do. And I bet you’d be advising Edmonton to do whatever Katz demands, right? Because, if you had done that Winnipeg, and built a new rink in the mid-1990s, you’d still have the Jets. (more…)
On July 23, 2010, In Hockey, By Big Mouth
On March 23, 2010, In Hockey, By Big Mouth
NHL owners, collectively or one-at-a-time, have the IQ of mushrooms. How else do you explain the fact that they continue to employ any number of general managers who, year after year after year, continually fail to produce winning teams.
Let’s take the Edmonton Oilers. A team extremely rich in tradition and successful history…maybe too successful. I realize Daryl Katz has only had a bird’s-eye view of the debacle in Alberta’s capital since he became owner in February 2008. But how long does someone in his position have to watch the train wreck before they act? And act smartly! (more…)