"In the coming weeks, Blues chairman Dave Checketts plans to have the number of parties interested in purchasing the team narrowed to one potential buyer.

"It's too early for that (now), but we'll be there shortly," Checketts said Wednesday. "You get to the point where you say, 'There's a highest bidder and most capable bidder' and you focus your energy. It's not there yet, but we will get there shortly ... We expect to have an orderly sale process and it'll be done by the start of the season" in October.

A week ago, the Post-Dispatch reported that interest in the Blues has been increasing, according to Robert Caporale, founder of Game Plan LLC, which is conducting the sale.

Caporale indicated that five "very interested parties" are in the mix. The Post-Dispatch has reported that Tom Stillman, who is chairman and CEO of Summit Distributing in St. Louis and also a minority owner of the Blues, has a group that remains interested in buying the team.

Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer also has expressed interest in the club. Hulsizer had been trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, but recently withdrew his bid for that team. The remaining three parties aren't known.

As for the sudden spike of interest in the Blues, Checketts said, "It might be that Atlanta got sold (to Winnipeg). Dallas looks like it's sold and maybe people turned their attention to us. There's no other NHL teams really that are on the market."

The asking price for the Blues, the Scottrade Center lease and the Peoria Rivermen has not been disclosed. SCP Worldwide, Checketts' company, paid approximately $150 million in 2006 for the franchise, and it was valued last year by Forbes Magazine at $165 million.

According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, Hulsizer, who toured Scottrade Center with Checketts a few weeks ago, could be preparing to offer $165 million. But there are questions about whether that would meet Checketts' number, which could be as much as $200 million.

Not naming a price, Checketts did say Wednesday, "It's a healthy price because we have a healthy franchise. I don't want to spend my time justifying the sale price. It is what it is.""