Sources say Ice Edge, the group negotiating to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, is expected to sign a letter of intent to purchase the team from the league within days. Likely, prior to the start of next week's board of governors meeting in California.
An update on that process is one of the headline agenda items for the board, which is also expected to consider contingency cities for relocation in the event the NHL can't find a suitable buyer for the Coyotes.
Quebec City, Winnipeg and Southern Ontario will be identified as Canadian targets, if the subject of "where" is addressed during the meetings next Tuesday and Wednesday.
NHL executive vice president, Colin Campbell, will make a presentation to the board on the path general managers intend to take in an effort to curb head shots. Deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, will follow that theme with a report on how the NHL is researching, managing and trying to reduce the number of concussions. You need to look no further than the Minnesota Wild - which currently has four players sidelined with concussions - to know head trauma remains a front burner issue for the league.
NHL governors will also be told next years salary cap is expected to change by as much as $2 million, although it's unclear whether the cap will go up or down by that amount.
Other topics on next weeks agenda include discussion on the merits of releasing the NHL's regular season schedule no later than July 1st, or ten days sooner than it is traditionally released.
International matters will be addressed with the National Hockey League committed to once again opening its regular season in Europe. Six games, involving six NHL teams is the likely scenario, however there will be discussion on the possibility of playing more games overseas.