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Wayne Gretzky may feel sorry for National Hockey League fans in Nashville, but the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes can see only good things if the Predators relocate to Southern Ontario.

In an interview with CTV's eTalk, Gretzky said that if the Predators are sold to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and moved the next season to Hamilton, they would do well in what he dubbed “a great hockey area.”

“You're not just drawing from Hamilton, you're drawing from places like Brantford,” Gretzky said, chuckling at the mention of his hometown, “Burlington and Oakville. I'm not worried about the success for that franchise. I remember back in 1987, when we played the Canada Cup there. It was overwhelming.”

As the Coyotes' managing partner and one of the game's greatest players, Gretzky carries weight in NHL circles. League governors met in New York yesterday and were given a 30-minute update on the status of the Predators.

At this point, Balsillie has entered into a letter of agreement with owner Craig Leipold to purchase the Predators for $238-million (U.S.). Since there is not yet an official application from Balsillie to become part of the NHL, league governors felt there was no issue to address.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman hammered that point home with reporters after the governors' session. He insisted the Predators have a valid lease to play in Nashville for “the long-term” and that he was “not in favour of doing anything to destabilize an existing franchise.

“We don't have a relocation issue pending,” Bettman added. “It would be premature to consider a relocation application. The only thing that could conceivably be pending, and even that's not in position to be reviewed, is an ownership application.”

The commissioner chided people for “getting a little bit ahead of themselves on this entire issue. It isn't in any shape or form close to being ready for consideration as it relates to approval of an ownership change. I'm not exactly sure why people are focused on the Nashville Predators being anywhere other than in Nashville at this particular point in time.”

Balsillie has secured a lease agreement at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum and is accepting deposits on season tickets. More than 12,000 fans have made a deposit of $500 (Canadian) to $1,500, while 80 luxury boxes have been sold at the arena.

“First, it's a great thing for [Balsillie],” Gretzky said. “Obviously, he's excited about it. If it actually works out that he gets to move the team to Hamilton is something that we'll have to follow over the next little while.

“On the other side of it, I feel very disappointed for the people of Nashville. But that's business, that's life. I will say this that if the team is allowed to move to that area [Hamilton], it will be tremendously successful.”

In order for the Predators to be able to relocate, they cannot average more than 14,000 fans a game during the 2007-08 NHL season. Falling under that benchmark would allow the Predators to break their arena lease with the City of Nashville.

However, it has been reported that a lease buyout clause worth an estimated $27-million (U.S.) could exist, so Balsillie would not have to worry about how many seats are filled next season.

Sources have indicated that there are no major stumbling blocks to complete the sale of the Predators to Balsillie. Under the conditions of sale agreed to by Balsillie and Leipold, the sale must be completed by June 30. But the two always could agree on an extension.

Until then, don't expect Bettman to get drawn into a war or words with Balsillie, who has been active in his pursuit of the Predators, who joined the NHL in 1998.

Balsillie hasn't spoken publicly since he signed his letter of intent to purchase the Predators last month. Daly was queried whether the league ordered his silence.

“What Balsillie does is up to him,” Daly said. “No, we haven't asked him not to talk to the media.”

Meanwhile, Calgary Flames co-owner Harley Hotchkiss's six-year tenure as the chairman of the NHL board ended yesterday.

Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs will replace Hotchkiss, while Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks will be the vice-chairman.

With a report from Associated Press