At this weekend’s All-Star Game festivities in Ottawa, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman took some time from his State of the League Address to answer questions about matters around the league. After spending some time discussing a mystery third prospective buyer for the Phoenix Coyotes, Bettman moved on to another team for sale: the St. Louis Blues. In this case, the news was far less nebulous and far more optimistic.
The Blues are in the process of being sold to minority owner Tom Stillman and a group of investors who may or may not include former Blues great Brett Hull. The total purchase price is a very affordable $130 million (or thereabouts) for the Blues, their AHL Affiliate Peoria Rivermen, the lease on the Scottrade Center, and a large share of the newly renovated Peabody Opera House.
Bettman seemed very positive that something would be finished up in a timely manner in the next few months. As Sean Gentile of The Sporting News reports, Bettman had this to say on the team:
“Fans of the Blues have reason to be comfortable and excited about the future of the club,”
Finally, hopefully, Gary Bettman was speaking on the positive future of a franchise and not offering up platitudes.