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The NHL team, which is coached by Wayne Gretzky, filed for bankruptcy protection and Canadian billionaire Balsillie offered to buy it for $213-million (U.S.).

He called it a very clear and serious offer, but it came with a clause. "And a condition to the offer of bankruptcy is that we get permission to move the team to the unserved market of southern Ontario," Balsillie told reporters.

However, Balsillie did not name the city he has in mind to move the team. "What I will say is I think this is an enormously exciting opportunity. I'm clearly just a passionate hockey fan," he said.

It was less than two weeks ago when there were reports about building an arena in Vaughan for a second NHL team in the GTA.

In this latest development, one caller to Rogers sports station FAN 590 said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will stand in the way of this deal, just like he has twice before. "He's narrow-minded...(he) would rather have six bankrupt franchises in the U.S. than have any chance of having success in Canada," the caller said.

Two years ago, Balsillie made an attempt to buy the Nashville Predators and move the team to Hamilton. But, that deal fell apart amid speculation the NHL gave thumbs-down to his insistence that the team move to Canada.

Balsillie said he's pleased by the support he's getting on the "Make it Seven" website -- a site to help promote bringing Canada its seventh NHL franchise.