OffThePost.org

The NHL should consider permanently relocating a team to Saskatoon, Barry Melrose says. The former NHL player and coach suggested that his home province "would blow the NHL away" with its ability to support a franchise long-term. "I know Saskatchewan. I know how much people love hockey there," said Melrose, who grew up in Kelvington, 250 kilometres east of Saskatoon. "I bet 20 people from Kelvington would have season tickets and that's one small town. I know that every town in Saskatchewan would be the same way. You'd market it the same way you do the Roughriders. It'd be a province-wide team." The debate about Saskatoon's ability to sustain an NHL franchise was rekindled last month when Ice Edge Holdings announced its intention to bid on the financially troubled Phoenix Coyotes and bring five of the team's regular-season games here. Melrose is not associated with that group, however, Melrose said he "would do anything to help Saskatchewan get a team. I believe in it that firmly."