hockeyfanland.com

"EDMONTON, Alberta -- With plans for a new arena in doubt, the Edmonton Oilers say they are keeping their options open.

Oilers owner Daryl Katz, team president Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe were in Seattle on Monday for meetings about a possible relocation to the city.

The Oilers said in a statement that they still hope to reach a deal with Edmonton on a new arena. But with talks at an impasse and the team's lease at aging Rexall Place set to expire in 2014, the Oilers have started to look elsewhere.

"As the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time," the statement read. "After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers' lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise."

The visit by Oilers brass came the same day that the Seattle City Council approved hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen's plan for a $490 million arena that both sides hope will be home to an NBA and NHL team." ESPN.com 

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I have been an Edmonton Oilers fan since the day I was born. If there is no arena deal  in place Edmonton and this results in a move to Seattle; there would really be no reason to live in Edmonton anymore.  The Katz Group is well aware of what the Edmonton Oilers mean to the people of the city. So they are using this to get what they want... 

To be honest, I am surprised that an arena deal has not been reached. Reports of a possible move to Seattle have to surface to get something done around here, really? Did we not learn something from the first time this scenario took place... the NHL lockout is already having a negative effect on everybody in the city. I cannot even imagine not going to NHL hockey ever again.