PHOENIX — The NHL could claim a partial victory Wednesday after a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected bids by the league and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to purchase the Coyotes.
Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected outright Balsillie’s offer to purchase the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario, which the NHL had vehemently opposed. The judge upheld the league’s right to decide who owns its teams and where they play.
Although Baum also turned down the NHL offer, he left the door open for the league to go ahead and purchase the franchise if it amends its bid to give Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes and ex-coach Wayne Gretzky more money.
“In hockey parlance, the court is passing the puck to the NHL, who can decide to take another shot at the sale net or it can pass off the puck,” Baum wrote.
• The Coyotes claimed forward Paul Bissonnette off waivers from the Penguins.
Footnotes.
The Hurricanes have locked up goal- tender Cam Ward for six more years, signing him to a new $37.8 million deal.
• Forward Chris Bourque, the son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, has been claimed on waivers by the Penguins.
• The Sharks announced that Rob Blake will be the team’s captain this season.
• Former Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is retiring from the NHL after nearly two decades.
• Free-agent defenseman Alexei Semenov has agreed to terms with the Rangers.
