NHL Date for Move Passes Without Tenant for Anaheim

The NHL’s deadline for franchises to file notice of their intent to change markets passed Sunday without a team giving notice, making it increasingly unlikely the Anaheim Arena will have an NHL tenant for its inaugural season.

Arena officials have said they hoped to lure an NHL team. The arena is scheduled to open next summer.

According to NHL bylaws, teams requesting permission to move must notify the league by Nov. 15.

NHL President Gil Stein also said he was aware the Hartford Whalers and Minnesota North Stars had expressed interest in Anaheim. However, since then, he has met with Connecticut Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. to discuss moves that would keep the Whalers in Hartford, and the North Stars have said they would stay in Minnesota.

Brad Mayne, general manager of the Anaheim Arena, said the passing of the NHL’s deadline--and the North Stars’ decision to stay put--did not quash his hopes of eventually attracting an NHL team.

The city of Anaheim is liable for annual payments of up to $2.5 million to the arena for eight years if the facility does not have an NBA or NHL tenant. That liability would be $1.5 million per year with one professional team.