Bankruptcy judge rejects sale of Coyotes to Balsillie

I think if Balsillie is really wants a team now he will have to play by the NHL rules.... This is his third attempt at buying a franchise and trying to relocate it...

There is no doubt in my mind another NHL team will be in the TO-Hamilton area in the near future however I'm just not certain it will be Baslillie who will be the owner...

Hell, if the NHL and Bettman want to keep pouring money into a losing operation power to them. However if someone buys it and moves it to another U.S. location it's gonna make them look petty.

Isn't it supposed to be the highest bidder the winner ?

Well the judge didn't reject Balsillie's offer because it wasn't the best offer, the judge just couldn't work with Balsillie's deadline. It's still quite possible that Balsillie will own the team and move it, it just won't happen in time for next season. The Coyotes will be in Phoenix next season, although why anyone will want to go see a lame duck franchise is beyond me. Bettman is desperate to keep the team in Phoenix because if it's moved to S. Ontario it will prove his plan of massive US expansion is a bust (I think everyone realizes this except him). There's no way the other owners want to run this team. The owners of Atlanta, Florida, Columbus and other trouble franchises are going to have a bad enough time keeping their own teams afloat, never mind having to write cheques to keep a dud like Phoenix going.