Transactions

Absolute Hockey Enterprises, led by ex-Florida Panthers coach Doug McLean, has become the new owner of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. For the past eight years, Tampa, which won the Stanley Cup in 2004, has been owned by Detroit-based Palace Sports and Entertainment of Detroit, which also owns the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed pending NHL approval. The new owners have already announced that they are going to retain the club's management, including head coach John Tortorella.

Reuters

The owners of the Edmonton Oilers turned down the billionaire

Canadian billionaire Daryl Katz was denied the sale of the NHL club Edmonton Oilers. The owner of the pharmacy chain offered to cede the team to him for the third time. According to Canadian sports observers, this time Mr. Katz was ready to pay more than $170 million for it. The first two times the Canadian, who, according to Forbes magazine, occupies 486th place in the list of the richest people in the world with a fortune of $1.6 billion, offered first $145 million and then $150 million for the Oilers.

However, once again, representatives of the club's collective owner, the Edmonton Investors Group, which includes 34 local companies and individual businessmen, said that they do not intend to part with the team. According to Edmonton Investors Group Chairman Cal Nichols, in a secret ballot, the owners said "a resounding no" to Daryl Katz's proposal. “It’s not about the money, it’s about Edmonton,” said Cal Nichols. “Collective ownership is the best option for the club. We are committed to ensuring that the team is competitive, using funds to acquire players when the opportunity opens up, and will invest in the construction of a new ice arena."

"RIA News"

Tampa Bay Lightning changes hands