The NHL’s Board of Governors met in Las Vegas today. One of the first announcements might just rank as a formality: the Toronto Maple Leafs’ sale was unanimously approved.
In case you need a refresher, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board decided to sell its interest in the team to media company Rogers. It seemed like that story sort of went away for a while - probably because it was more or less a “done deal” - but now it looks like the ink is nearly dry.
It will be interesting to see if the Maple Leafs’ higher-level changes trickle down to the side that affects hockey a bit more directly. GM Brian Burke was more or less given a vote of confidence, yet Bob McKenzie subtly inserted a caveat that an ownership change could just alter that situation. The Maple Leafs hold the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, so perhaps that will be “change” enough for the new owners.
For now, at least.