Will Jim Balsillie become a hero of hockey and the savior of the NHL later today? Both Balsillie and the NHL await the decision of Judge Redfield T. Baum on Mr. Balsillie’s $212.5-million US bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and relocate the franchise to Hamilton… with the ruling expected to come later today.

The Judge heard from both sides earlier in the week. The major outcome of the proceedings was that the NHL could probably charge Balsillie a relocation fee to move the team from Phoenix to Hamilton. This fee could be at least $100 million, which would create an easy $300+ million price tag for the desert team.

If this is the case and it’s as simple as this (which we highly doubt)… we say WRITE THE CHECK BALSILLIE!!! Just get the deal done and move on!! If he wants this team and wants this for Canada enough, he can and will do it.

In other news… Balsillie and his MakeItSeven movement have chosen June 19th as Make It Seven Day in Canada!