Unless something unexpected develops, St. Paul will be awarded an NHL expansion franchise on June 24 when the NHL Board of Directors meets in New York to vote on the recommendations of the NHL expansion committee.

The NHL will name four expansion franchises at that meeting — two to begin operation in the 1998-1999 season and two in the J 999-2000 season. If Mayor Norm Coleman can guarantee a new arena will be built and Bob Naegele and his partners can pass the financial test, St. Paul will become a member of the NHL. Some owners will object to Minnesota getting an NHL team after two clubs failed here. But commissioner Gary Bettman wants the 14th-largest television market represented, and he will get his way.

It is ironic that while plans are being made to bring an expansion team to St. Paul, there are indications that the Edmonton Oilers are going to be available in a year or two.

Oilers owner Peter Pocklington has a $50 million loan he needs to pay and the franchise is in financial trouble. Pocklington is looking for someone to buy 50 percent of the franchise for $50 million so he can pay off his debt and run the team debt-free. An expansion team will cost $80 million. Certainly. Edmonton is a better buy at $100 million because it is one of the better young teams.

So there definitely will be hockey in the Twin Cities by the year 2000. It will either be the St. Paul team playing at a new arena or the Oilers playing at Target Center.