"If there is any truth to reports out of Phoenix Wednesday night, Tuesday could mark a very big day in Winnipeg's ongoing pursuit of an NHL hockey team.

Maybe things finally fall apart for certain in Phoenix and Winnipeg gets the Coyotes. Or maybe a deal closes and the Coyotes stay right where they are -- allowing the NHL to turn its attention to the Atlanta Thrashers and a potential relocation to our city.

It's well documented True North Sports and Entertainment wants to buy an NHL franchise and they made an offer on the league-owned Coyotes last spring.

Those same Coyotes remain for sale with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman repeatedly stating he'd prefer to sell to a group that would keep the team in Phoenix. Unfortunately for Mr. Bettman, only Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer and his light-on-cash purchase agreement has been pushed to the table. Hulsizer has struggled to a close a deal and now the NHL finds itself needing resolution in the near future in order to begin schedule planning for next season.

The end, regardless of the outcome, appears to be near.

Details of the NHL's new financing package to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix are beginning to leak out and the deal could be brought to City of Glendale council for a vote Tuesday.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded quickly to an email request for comment Wednesday night in three words.

"Nothing to say," came Daly's reply.

The league looked to have a deal in place earlier this year when Glendale and Hulsizer struck an arrangement that would have seen the city front the Chicago businessman $100 million of the $170-million purchase price.

That deal fell apart when the Goldwater Institute deemed it illegal and threatened to file suit under the terms of Arizona's gift clause, which prevents government from subsidizing private business."