I kind of figured that this was coming, both that Moyes’ team would get interested in it and that the NHL wouldn’t want them to have the information:
The NHL has filed a court motion which says the Phoenix Coyotes have no right to examine a number of league documents pertaining to relocation — and Jim Balsillie’s previous attempts to purchase a team.
“It appears designed to harass the League with discovery that may prove to be wholly unnecessary,” the filing says, referring to last week’s renewed 2004 motion from the Coyotes which asked to see documents reflecting rescheduling procedures involved in the transfer of the Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers and Minnesota North Stars during the 1990s.
I know that some media guys read this site - if I can offer some unsolicited advice, it would be that you should ask a lawyer friend to proof your copy before it gets published. Maybe even flip him the documents and ask him any questions that you might have. God knows that there are enough actual lawyers out there posting on this. The story a few weeks back that the judge had ordered production of the Reinsdorf offer appears to have arisen from a journalist seeing an unsigned draft order - which is commonly prepared by the side bringing a motion - and concluding that it was an order. In this case, it seems to me that the NHL probably hasn’t filed a motion (unless they’re also bringing a cross-motion) but that they’ve filed responding material to Balsillie’s motion.
I didn’t like Balsillie’s chances of success on the motion to force production of the Reinsdorf letter of intent. Intuitively, I like his chances of success better on this motion, particularly because I think that Bill Daly’s declaration, dated May 13, 2009, put the NHL’s process squarely at issue: