Editor's Note: The source of the original story, insidetherink.com, has since admitted its article was false. This story has been edited and updated to reflect their retraction..After a tumultuous two weeks that saw the Calgary Flames fire their coach and general manger after missing the NHL playoffs, InsiderTheRink.com claimed anonymous sources suggested the team could soon be up for sale. .But after publishing their report, the team denied a sale was planned and the website withdrew the story..According to Flames’ Communications VP Peter Hanlon, the story has been retracted and withdrawn and the website issued an apology..It comes as the Flames on Monday fired long-time coach Darryl Sutter, who follows GM Brad Treliving out the door. .Murray Edwards co-founded the Calgary Sports and Entrainment Corporation (CSEC) in 2021. Edwards is a popular Calgary financier and oil patch executive who made his fortune with Canadian Natural Resources and Ensign Drilling. Edwards is reportedly worth $2.7 billion US and Forbes ranks him as the 32nd richest man in the world..Edwards is a driving force behind last week’s $1.2-billion arena deal between the team, the city of Calgary, and the government of Alberta. He hasn’t commented on it publicly, but it’s contingent on several unknowns — the biggest one being the re-election of UCP leader Danielle Smith as premier. .Edwards was reportedly prepared to move the team to Houston when he pulled the plug on the previous deal in December, 2021 over the issue of rising costs which topped $608 million. The new deal was only secured after the province stepped up with an additional $330 million in funding..When it was announced, Smith made it crystal clear the new arena is conditional on her re-election. NDP boss Rachel Notley hasn’t said she’d cancel it, but claims she doesn’t have all the details to fully support it, either..A new poll by ThinkHQ yesterday found fully 50% of Calgarians are opposed to the deal — 32% ‘strongly’ — while only 43% support it. In the rest of the province, sentiment is generally divided, except with respect to Edmonton. In the provincial capital region, fully 61% of those interviewed disapprove of the deal (44% strongly), compared to only 33% offering support, ThinkHQ said..“This is not the issue that's going to win a lot of new votes for the UCP in Calgary,” said ThinkHQ CEO Marc Henry..“In fact, it may cost them votes in the ridings surrounding Edmonton. That said, it's an issue that could cost the NDP the election if mishandled, if they threaten to stop the deal as government.”
