BUFFALO, N.Y. -- National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Thursday he will be meeting with another prospective ownership group interested in buying the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.

When asked during a conference call with national media if he had any meetings planned before Buffalo's regular season opener on Oct. 10, Bettman said: "I'll answer that question provided I don't get a follow up. And the answer is, yes."

Bettman has previously said there were as many as five groups interested in purchasing the financially troubled team. The only bid to be officially submitted to the NHL so far came from a group led by Buffalo businessman Mark Hamister, on Sept. 19.

Four other groups have also expressed interest in the franchise, including one headed by the partnership of Sherry Bassin, owner of the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters; Alan Maislin, whose family operates a major trucking firm near Montreal; and Frank DuRoss, the owner of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League.

Rochester billionaire and New York gubernatorial candidate B. Thomas Golisano also has expressed interest in the Sabres.

"We confirmed there were five groups doing due diligence. The 'imminence' or 'days away' of any of those bids didn't come from us," Bettman said. "We never put a timetable on it. We are in a process that I am comfortable is proceeding on an orderly basis. And I believe in the not too distant future -- and I don't mean hours or days -- this process will be headed towards a conclusion. But I'm not going to put a timetable on it and I am not concerned." Bettman said he is concerned, however, about the slow progress being made with Buffalo's season ticket drive despite a renewed effort from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

"I do remain disappointed in the season ticket sales, but I am hoping this new effort will help me overcome my disappointment, and enable the franchise to get the support that we believe is there and that it needs," he said. He said he would be disappointed if the season ticket base does not increase and if opening night isn't close to sold out.

As of late Thursday, Buffalo had sold the equivalent of 7,531 season tickets; the NHL average is 10,800.