Lighthouse Hockey, a New York Islanders community

At least according to Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin, who is considered the favorite to own a potential Seattle based NHL franchise: "I can tell you there are not teams for sale that are available to move," Levin told ESPN the Magazine on Wednesday. Not the Coyotes? Or maybe one day the Islanders? "My understanding is that the Phoenix deal, [Greg Jamison] has come up with the money," Levin said. "The answer to the Islanders moving is never. They're not moving out of that market. No chance that's going to happen."

So, I'm no Bettman apologist -- and I miss the Whalers about as much as a neutral can. But I do have a soft spot for the "non-traditional market" fan. I just watched the Canes win before yet another electric, rocking crowd at the [random bank corp.] Center, and I'm thinking: "Oh yeah, right, hockey just can never work in the South. If you don't grow up with the game, you can't get into it. Damn Bettman." Uh huh. No idea how to explain this sort of thing, though.