Disney has been trying to sell the Mighty Ducks for years now, with absolutely no success. Afterall, who wants a mediocre franchise with a lukewarm fanbase and revenues comparable to the smallest Canadian markets, according to Forbes?

According to TSN.ca, A former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers, Howard Baldwin, has made an offer on the franchise.

It was slightly less than Disney is looking for.

Baldwin has offered $50 million. That is what Disney paid in expansion fees to get into the NHL. While Disney has been desperate to get out of the sports ownership buisness for years now, it is debatable if Disney would sell the franchise at that price.

However, it offers those of us who hate the Mickey Mouse image (pardon the pun) that a franchise named “Mighty Ducks” projects as Baldwin would likely move the team to Kansas City in 2007 when that city’s new arena is completed.

Of course, it should not come down to this. Metropolitan Los Angeles has a population base of over 20 million people. How can someone come into the NHL’s second largest market with what would usually be considered a lowball offer and be taken seriously - by major media outlets at least?

I would suggest the NHLPA watch this situation closely. That offers like this can be made for teams in a market like Los Angeles shows that the owners are not bluffing. Franchise values are mostly stagnant or declining because NHL hockey is not a good investment right now. Baldwin is trying to take advantage of the situation. What concessions the union ultimately agrees to will determine if it is a reasonable risk.

The new CBA and what it will bring is helping to slow down talks with Martin St. Louis’ agent on a multi-year deal. Feaster also spoke with Dave Andreychuk and a deal there is “not imminent.” Or so says the Tampa Tribune.

Also in the article, news that Eric Perrin signed a minor league deal with the Hershey Bears is evidence that the work-stoppage is looming. Perrin had a stellar season in the AHL last year and will play for Hershey only if the NHL season is a no-go.

Sure to start a chorus from the “hockey can’t survive int eh south” band , the Tampa Bay Lightning opened their books and the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune both have stories on this today.

The Lightning made 14.1 Million dollars during the two-month playoff run to Lord Stanley’s Cup alone. The team posted a 3.6 million dollar profit for the physical year thanks to this. Palace Sports and Entertainment’s first profit with the Lightning (and possibly the first profit every posted by the franchise).

Part of the reason he Lightning have opened their books is their continuing plea for help to Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. The Lightning happen to be one of the most taxed teams in the United States — which usually hands out sweetheart deals to it’s professional sports franchises.

The Lightning need all the financial help they can get as their player-payroll is supposed to balloon (without a work stoppage) from $33 Million Dollars to $49 Million or more this season.