I've been around long enough to know that things like this aren't cause for panic, since when some savvy businesspeople get in the same room, there is a lot of posturing.

But there is a report out of The Coloradoan -- click here -- that suggests the conjoining of the IHL and Central Hockey League is in danger.

As I've mentioned before, Colorado has been the power player in the CHL, so it's entirely possible that its ownership is politicking to get things its way through the media. Or, it's entirely possible the rosy picture the Komets have been portraying isn't correct.

All I can tell you is, no one I've spoken to personally, on or off the record, has indicated that they think this thing isn't going to happen. However -- and I stress this point -- very few people are saying anything of worth about anything, as the Coloradoan hinted.

I'm not intending to dispute anything, just provide you with the information I'm being given, mostly from an IHL point of view.

I can also say this: There is no hint of panic I'm getting from anyone within the Komets' organization. And if there was a chance they wouldn't be playing next season, believe me, they would be panicking big time.

Yes, I know, that leads to this question: If this conjoining doesn't happen, would the IHL go on next season on its own? I really don't know. But I don't think so. There are too many question marks with Flint, Port Huron and Evansville.

We know the ECHL is out. So that brings us back to the CHL. I think it's going to happen. There will just have to be some duking it out before it can be settled.

Let's remember, the CHL isn't on the most solid footing. It lost two franchises already this year, and one more is probable to collapse. The CHL needs Fort Wayne, and probably Quad City and Bloomington, to improve its strength as a business.

It's in everyone's best interest to make this work.