The NHL season begins with a vicious triangle:

The city of Winnipeg yearns for a romantic return of its hockey franchise. And yet no one on that team feels the same about Winnipeg.

To the contrary, those who play for Coyotes absolutely love Arizona. The idea of shopping for wool hats and snow tires induces instant nausea, and these horrified players (and their wives) would do anything to stay.

But do we feel the same way about them?

With the clock ticking in Glendale, weary optimists fear the worst is over. When Chicago-based financier Matt Hulsizer deposed $25 million into an escrow account on Friday, it was a show of good faith and great wealth. A previous ESPN report claimed that Hulsizer's empire "dwarfs" Jerry Reinsdorf's balance sheet. This was proof that Hulsizer might be the white knight with a fat wallet, a young Daniel Snyder-type with competitive fire and money to burn.

Already, the Coyotes have one of the best general managers in the sport. Imagine what Don Maloney could do with a champion's budget.

"We feel like we're on the verge of a very good run," Maloney said.

Problem is, we've been tricked by these mirages before. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman once had the team packaged and sold to Reinsdorf, and then Jerry Moyes lit the stink bomb. Ice Edge Holdings investors talked a great game, but were clearly more hat than cattle. In the end, all the failed attempts have contributed to the apathy that has haunted this team for years, or ever since it moved to a vacant cotton field.

The Coyotes are understandably mum about their numbers. But a report from the heavily-biased Canadian media said the team has sold only 4,000 season tickets, and just a quarter of its luxury suites. Sadly, it sounds perfectly plausible. In a lagging economy, why would anyone invest anything in a team that might not be here next year?

It's also clear that the NHL will not lose another penny on the Coyotes, and that Bettman's tone has changed dramatically. During a recent stop in Ottawa, where Bettman awarded the 2012 All-Star Game, the exasperated commissioner said some ominous things, such as:

"We've been at this now for a year and a half."

"At some point, it may be in Phoenix that we won't be successful . . . "

"We hope it should get done (in Phoenix). I believe Phoenix can support an NHL team, but there are a lot of moving pieces we're dealing with."

That's a marked change from the commissioner who strolled through Westgate five months ago, before a playoff game against the Red Wings. That day, he felt excitement in the air. He saw people spending money. He enjoyed a nice lunch, and boldly told the media that the team was going nowhere fast.

Now, the commissioner's words carry the first sign of remorse, maybe even divorce. He sounds ready to call it a day and a nightmare. From a public relations standpoint, he can say he's done all he can to keep the team in Phoenix.

"They could've pulled the plug on this team many times," Coyotes Chief Operating Officer Mike Nealy said.

Maybe Hulsizer is capable of striking a deal that works for everyone. Or maybe the math just doesn't compute. To recoup its losses, the NHL wants $160-170 million from the sale. That's more than the Coyotes are worth, and yet it's a hard number that Bettman already has in back pocket, from a Plan B return to Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue. Who's going to foot the bill for the upcoming season? And what will happen in Glendale if the city ends up paying the NHL for operating costs out of tax dollars earmarked for city services like sewage and water?

In a tricked-up press release, the city made it seem like Hulsizer's $25 million absolved Glendale from its own $25 million commitment. About four seconds later, a writer for ESPN cited multiple unnamed sources claiming that Hulsizer's money did nothing of the sort. Obviously, saboteurs are still lurking, and roadblocks remain.

By now, everyone is sick of this story, including the NHL. Take solace that a sordid tale is finally coming to an end. Pray that Hulsizer is the answer, and not just another fairy tale. Understand that if the team leaves Arizona, the NHL will never, ever return.

Not after this debacle.

Reach Bickley at dan.bickley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8253. Read his online column at bickley.azcentral.com.