Reports circulating tonight suggest that the Elite League is close to either collapse or a severe cut down in number of teams.
The rumour, which has spread like wildfire in the last couple of hours but has been lingering for weeks, suggests that Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle were left out of an EIHL meeting, which included all six other teams, and that all three clubs that were left in the cold have, or are close to quitting the league.
After Basingstoke applied to join the EPL for next season and with three other clubs set to quit, this leaves both the Stingrays and Elite League's future in the balance, with much of the speculation surrounding the viability of a six team lead.
It is not expected that official confirmation of the reports will be received before the Elite Leagues playoff weekend, which comes this weekend at Nottingham's Trent FM Arena.
