NHL Notes: Atlanta paves way for NHL team

Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Officials in Georgia's Cobb County have approved a bond issue for a $16 million purchase of land for an arena to house a National Hockey League team.

The approval Wednesday to buy 11.5 acres in the Cobb Galleria Centre area, near Interstate 75 and and the I-285 perimeter highway, by the end of October intensifies a battle over bringing major league hockey to metro Atlanta.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc., which owns the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, plans to build a $215 million arena in downtown Atlanta for pro basketball and hockey.

Richard Adler, former president of the Atlanta Knights of the International Hockey League, who moved the minor-league team to Quebec City, is now working full time to get an existing NHL team to move to the Cobb County site.

If Adler succeeds, plans call for building a 20,000-seat arena costing about $150 million on the site, formerly used for a an Eastern Airlines reservation center.

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority, unanimously approved the bond issue. If Adler's efforts fail, the Cobb authority will consider other plans for the site, such as a 10,000-seat amphitheater, said Don Poor, general manager of the authority.

Harvey Schiller, president of Turner Sports, said Wednesday that his company's interest "is with an expansion franchise that's consistent with a new arena."

"I'm preparing a proposal for the NHL," Schiller said.

* COYOTES GO FOR ROENICK: The Phoenix Coyotes' newly creative approach to stalled negotiations with center Jeremy Roenick could have the former Chicago Blackhawks standout in camp next week, a team official said. The creative element apparently centers on a shorter contract, The Arizona Republic reported today. The four-time All-Star and his agent, Neil Abbott, who couldn't be reached Wednesday, reportedly are seeking a five-year contract worth between $4.5 million and $6 million per season. The Coyotes reportedly have offered a five-year, $18 million contract based partially on incentives. The newspaper said they may be able to reach an accord by shortening the length of the deal. "I wouldn't say we've made any major breakthrough, but we have had some productive discussions," said Bobby Smith, Coyotes executive vice president of hockey operations. "We're talking about different solutions, looking for some common ground and using some creativity."