Gary Bettman has spent the past few weeks talking about the National Hockey League's concern for the fans in its existing franchises.

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Bettman's mantra has been: "We don't run out on cities."

It's a noble sentiment, but it hasn't kept the NHL and some of its member clubs from threatening to abandon existing markets.

A case in point is the New York Islanders, a once-proud franchise that would be happy to achieve mediocrity. Owner Charles Wang, who is trying to extort Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead into approving his plans for a multi-purpose development anchored by a renovated Nassau Coliseum, delivered a not-too-subtle threat after a public meeting with local politicians this week.

"We have many cities that are interested in us, but I haven't gotten back to them," Wang said.

On several occasions, Bettman has said Long Island could lose its team if Wang doesn't get a new arena. While the NHL is fighting to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, you can bet that if Wang doesn't get his way, the NHL will allow him to move - unless he has a Canadian destination in mind.

Tavares group to buy Panthers: Speaking of sales, the NHL won't hesitate to rubber-stamp the sale of another team, the Florida Panthers.

Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. has an agreement in principle to buy the team, the management rights to the BankAtlantic Centre and some land surrounding the arena for $240 million U.S.

The SPAC ownership group includes Medallion Financial Corp. president Andrew Murstein, former Expos president Tony Tavares, Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and former New York governor Mario Cuomo.

The land may be the key to this deal because Alan Cohen, who currently owns 70 per cent of the team, has proposed a $2-billion mixed-use development. Cohen and his ownership group have reportedly lost $100 million since they bought the team from Wayne Huizenga in 2001.

Hackett available: When Bob Gainey introduced Jacques Martin as the Canadiens' new head coach Monday, he noted that the team has already started receiving applications for the goaltending coach position that was held by Rollie Melanson.

The list of possible candidates grew by one yesterday when former Canadiens netminder Jeff Hackett lost his job as the goaltending coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Hackett filled a difficult role when he was here, serving as a mentor to José Theodore while, at the same time, competing for the No. 1 job.

Hackett was dismissed as part of a massive restructuring in Denver. Tony Granato, whose job seemed safe after Patrick Roy declined an offer to coach the team, was let go with two years remaining on his contract. The Avs also fired assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, and Michel Goulet, assistant to the GM. Greg Sherman was promoted to general manager, succeeding the fired François Giguère while Craig Billington, who was touted as a GM candidate, becomes vice-president of hockey operations and assistant to the GM.

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com