Eyes On The Prize, a Montreal Canadiens community

"One of the great tragedies that happened over the summer with respect to the Coyotes and Hamilton and, before that, with respect to the Predators and Hamilton, is that expectations were built up. I don't want to do that to people.

"The fact is, the lines of communications are open. We understand the possibilities but we're not in position to make any promises at this time other than: If we're going to be in a situation either by relocation or expansion where a franchise is a possibility, these are markets that are going to be looked at seriously."

Daly said the league owners took Balsillie to task Wednesday and accused him of turning his back "on commitments and representations he has made to the owners." He said Balsillie's disregard for league rules, policies and procedures "have caused significant damage to the league and to many of our clubs.

"These are facts that were pointed out to Jim frequently (Wednesday) by our owners during the course of the interview. At the end of the day, as is their absolute right to do, the owners simply decided they could not trust Jim and they didn't want him as their business partner.

"Hamilton is a great hockey town with passionate fans. But it may be time for the city to come to the realization that it married the wrong spouse," Daly wrote.