thestar.com

John Tafaro, president of Cincinnati's Riverfront Coliseum, said he spoke to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday to express interest in getting any NHL franchise -- but specifically the Whalers.

NHL spokesman Gary McGowan said Cincinnati, Atlanta, Portland, Seattle and New Orleans have asked to be considered as relocation sites for the Whalers. Columbus has been mentioned by ESPN commentators, but by no one in a position of authority in the NFL or its franchises. But that hasn't stopped Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka from stumping for a team, even though next spring is the earliest that voters in Ohio's capital city could approve a downtown arena.

As Don Schumacher, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Sports and Events Commission, points out the city hasn't had a good track record with hockey. "Although five minor-league hockey teams have failed here, we've never really had the real thing here and that is NHL hockey."