Oilers arena meeting with NHL wraps up

The Edmonton Oilers were one of five NHL teams hosting a Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night Thursday, October 24.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON — Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel says he has wrapped up meetings in New York with National Hockey League officials regarding a deal for a new downtown arena.

Mandel calls the meetings productive, but he is keeping mum on the details until he can brief city councillors Friday.

Mandel says NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acted as a helpful mediator in discussions with members of the Katz Group, which owns the Edmonton Oilers.

The city and the team have been trying to hammer out a deal for a new arena to replace the aging Rexall Place.

Katz has told the city it has until the end of this month to finalize a deal.

The $450-million facility is still $100 million short of its budget.

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