Bill Smith told the Calgary Sun that both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames need each other for their survival. The key, said Smith, is what happens when the NHL collective bargaining agreement ends after the 2003-04 season. If we don't see something in 2005 from the National Hockey League and the players association, I'm not sure we could be there past 2005. Smith doesn't believe the theory that one team could remain and be adopted by the whole province.
Fans are too sophisticated in both cities for that to happen.
Nor are Edmonton and Calgary going to accept in a big way, anything but the National Hockey League. We talk about a Canadian league or a different professional league and it would get support but not like we get today.