In the Crease
Alex Ovechkin
Coyotes sale OKd
A federal bankruptcy judge has given his approval to the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL.In Phoenix, Judge Redfield T. Baum agreed to sign the sale order yesterday after attorneys made minor modifications to the deal.
None of the changes significantly altered the NHL's agreement to pay about $140 million to buy the team from owner Jerry Moyes.
The only party who did not join in the agreement is former coach Wayne Gretzky, who owned a small portion of the team. However, Gretzky did not file a formal objection with the court.
The sale ends nearly six months of an often-bitter court battle pitting the NHL against Moyes and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.
Moyes, founder of Swift Transportation, took the team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy May 5, with a plan to sell the team to Balsillie that was contingent on the franchise moving to Hamilton, Ontario. The move took the NHL by surprise and the league vowed to fight it to the end.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said any new buyer would have to get a reworked lease agreement with Glendale, Ariz.
Gretzky, who resigned as coach, said he is owed about $8 million, mostly in deferred salary.
Ovechkin's injury
Alex Ovechkin's upper-body injury does not seem serious, although he appears likely to miss at least one game.Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau indicated that Ovechkin could miss tomorrow night's road game against New Jersey.
Ovechkin appeared to hurt his left shoulder during Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to Columbus. He led the league in goals (14) and points (23) through Sunday's games.
- Associated Press
