The word is that George Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens franchise might be willing to part with the team. Who will buy? I would. Or maybe Jim Balsillie will finally snap up an NHL team. Apparently Gillett is feeling the global recessionary squeeze and has called in banks in four different countries to "evaluate his portfolio" to advise him about the possible sale of assets. Like the Habs.
Why is George Gillett crying poor mouth? It looks like he is having financial woes brought on by his partnership and co-ownership of English soccer club, Liverpool FC. Gillett is co-owner of the Liverpool club along with Tom Hicks (He owns the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars) and the pair purchased the big league soccer team, and now have a bill coming due. Soon. The pair owe 350 million pounds to the troubled Bank of Scotland and it bundle was due earlier this year, but the two owners were able get an extension until July. Where will the money come from? Perhaps from a quick sale of the Montreal Canadiens...
Gillett also has interests in ski resorts and car dealerships (not exactly going gangbusters these days). However it plays out, don't expect the Habs to box up and move out of town if sold. Remember the Richard Riot of 1955? If anyone were to suggest moving the Canadiens out of Montreal, they would get run out of town.
So, don't expect Jim Balsillie to pick up the Habs and Express Post the team to Waterloo. He will probably continue to bide his time, wait in the weeds so he can snap up one of the troubled U.S. franchises and try to plunk them down just outside of the Toronto Maple Leafs jurisdiction. But the Habs? No way. Look for someone to jump in and rescue the storied franchise if it is put up on the block. Maybe the Caisse Populaire might be persuaded to step in. Or maybe The Hockey Highlighter will part with some of the dollars I have stashed under my mattress. I'd love to be sitting in the owner's box, a la Mark Cuban (just without his recent legal problems).
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