My bad I obiously dont pay enough attention to the southern markets keep thinking Carolina is there for some dumb reason Sry made it twice wanted to add a couple things, Oh and if they do make an American expansion only want that makes little sence is Seattle where they have hockey history need teams in the west, already a fan base and create a HUGE rival with the Canucks who lets face it need one..
Seattle Celtics? I see the team green maybe Whalers though im sure there rights or something with Hartford but I miss the whale! all they need is an arena which is under works in Seattle.. KC could just be another Atlanta and prbably is but is definitly the front runner if you look at map of NHL teams, Las Vegas is a joke it will shame the NHL more then Bettman already has.
Anyone suggest Utah?salt lake city?
Quebec wont ever get an NHL team again no arena and no drive unlike you jets fan who do have more heart then anyone. makes me said since im a habs fan and miss the nordiques rival.
If I had my way id do this
Nashville to Hamilton
Pheonix to Winnipeg(I think winnipegers would sell out every gm even 0-82!just need corp. and owner
Columbus to Seattle
Course other teams need help like Florida, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Islanders(need new rink depends on Light house project or there gone) I forgetting anyone?but im all for NHL trying to make more NHL fans so I dont want them to leave maybe Carolina^^.
Must say The Sharks, Stars, and even the Ducks is prove not to give up on Florida or Atlanta but they both need to win more esepecially Atlanta. I can see Florida packing up soon if dont change maybe if arena was downtown Miami it help them..

[Seahawker 562]

Originally Posted by Hdot

My bad I obiously dont pay enough attention to the southern markets keep thinking Carolina is there for some dumb reason Sry made it twice wanted to add a couple things, Oh and if they do make an American expansion only want that makes little sence is Seattle where they have hockey history need teams in the west, already a fan base and create a HUGE rival with the Canucks who lets face it need one..
Seattle Celtics? I see the team green maybe Whalers though im sure there rights or something with Hartford but I miss the whale! all they need is an arena which is under works in Seattle.. KC could just be another Atlanta and prbably is but is definitly the front runner if you look at map of NHL teams, Las Vegas is a joke it will shame the NHL more then Bettman already has.
Anyone suggest Utah?salt lake city?
Quebec wont ever get an NHL team again no arena and no drive unlike you jets fan who do have more heart then anyone. makes me said since im a habs fan and miss the nordiques rival.
If I had my way id do this
Nashville to Hamilton
Pheonix to Winnipeg(I think winnipegers would sell out every gm even 0-82!just need corp. and owner
Columbus to Seattle
Course other teams need help like Florida, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Islanders(need new rink depends on Light house project or there gone) I forgetting anyone?but im all for NHL trying to make more NHL fans so I dont want them to leave maybe Carolina^^.
Must say The Sharks, Stars, and even the Ducks is prove not to give up on Florida or Atlanta but they both need to win more esepecially Atlanta. I can see Florida packing up soon if dont change maybe if arena was downtown Miami it help them..

I think they need to start thinking like the NBA, go to citys where they dont have a bunch of franchises already and theyre all pretty successful.
Portland, Oklahoma city, memphis, new jersey, charlotte, orlando, sacramento, and utah.

[peg_city]

Originally Posted by Hdot

My bad I obiously dont pay enough attention to the southern markets keep thinking Carolina is there for some dumb reason Sry made it twice wanted to add a couple things, Oh and if they do make an American expansion only want that makes little sence is Seattle where they have hockey history need teams in the west, already a fan base and create a HUGE rival with the Canucks who lets face it need one..
Seattle Celtics? I see the team green maybe Whalers though im sure there rights or something with Hartford but I miss the whale! all they need is an arena which is under works in Seattle.. KC could just be another Atlanta and prbably is but is definitly the front runner if you look at map of NHL teams, Las Vegas is a joke it will shame the NHL more then Bettman already has.
Anyone suggest Utah?salt lake city?
Quebec wont ever get an NHL team again no arena and no drive unlike you jets fan who do have more heart then anyone. makes me said since im a habs fan and miss the nordiques rival.
If I had my way id do this
Nashville to Hamilton
Pheonix to Winnipeg(I think winnipegers would sell out every gm even 0-82!just need corp. and owner
Columbus to Seattle
Course other teams need help like Florida, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Islanders(need new rink depends on Light house project or there gone) I forgetting anyone?but im all for NHL trying to make more NHL fans so I dont want them to leave maybe Carolina^^.
Must say The Sharks, Stars, and even the Ducks is prove not to give up on Florida or Atlanta but they both need to win more esepecially Atlanta. I can see Florida packing up soon if dont change maybe if arena was downtown Miami it help them..

Seattle has Key Arena which is old and dumpy (Opened 1962). The NHL isn't going there unless they build a new arena and there not going to because they didn't for the Sonics.

In Order by the 'Board of Governers'
1. Kansas City (With free arena which was originally offered)
2. Las Vegas (With Jerry Bruckheimer. I don't know if he is still interested)
3. Winnipeg/Houston - Winnipeg has a new arena, an owner (who has already made a presentation about the viability of Winnipeg to the BOG, Balsille has not). Houston has a new arena and a very big market. I don't know if there is an owner
4. Southern Ontario - Before I get chewed out Southern Ontario makes more Financial sense then any other market. Except there is a problem, area rights. "A third governor thinks the Buffalo Sabres might accept a second team in Southern Ontario as well if it made business sense. He said that means charging Mr. Balsillie as much as $700-million (U.S.) for an expansion franchise."

globeandmail.com: A second NHL team in Toronto?

Salt Lake City won't because they have an NBA team and there are very very few market who can support both an NHL team and a NBA team (two winter sports) outside of the North Eastern United States and Toronto.

Cities who can

Detroit
Philly
NY
Toronto
Chicago

Cities who can't
Vancouver
Phoenix - Yotes losing 30 million a year
Atlanta - Go to Forbes
Miami - Go to Forbes
Oklahoma City (Major said on the fan 590 they can't support both)

That article makes me laugh they use New York wouldnt support a Hamilton team HAHAHAHA I could say same thing about Columbus Blue jackets or Anahiem Walt disneys! even Florida or Carolina. And if your real hockey fans you attend no matter who they play im not going to look at the schedule and be like oh they play St.Louis Blues or the Nashville Preds well I dont like them so im not going, if you have fans like that then why do you have an NHL team there would Winnepeg say no to the ducks game in town NO. Complete jokesters.

As for the territorial issues Hamilton is approx 71 miles away from Buffalo Copps. Collisieum to Buffalo's arena is around 76. Its said it could be fought in courts weather or not buffalo get anything why should Canadians be supporting a US team anyway would they do same for us if they rely on us so much why do they have a team?Truth is Cdns only make up 11% i Believe in Buffalo! o many 2million not 8 damn thiefing Franchise. That city is gone to hell and bound for worse they are the biggest and only opsticle in my mind why Hamilton doesnt have one. Hamiltonians know this and is why you dont see many buffalo jerseys or supporters for them!

So why does hamilton scare so many people making US markets look bad? Hamilton gets a team you be sure Winnipeg wont be far away, BTW who is this owner for Winnipeg Peg?

Originally Posted by Seahawker 562

I think they need to start thinking like the NBA, go to citys where they dont have a bunch of franchises already and theyre all pretty successful.
Portland, Oklahoma city, memphis, new jersey, charlotte, orlando, sacramento, and utah.

Agreed but still dont like the Las Vegas idea ^_^

[peg_city]

Originally Posted by Hdot

That article makes me laugh they use New York wouldnt support a Hamilton team HAHAHAHA I could say same thing about Columbus Blue jackets or Anahiem Walt disneys! even Florida or Carolina. And if your real hockey fans you attend no matter who they play im not going to look at the schedule and be like oh they play St.Louis Blues or the Nashville Preds well I dont like them so im not going, if you have fans like that then why do you have an NHL team there would Winnepeg say no to the ducks game in town NO. Complete jokesters.

As for the territorial issues Hamilton is approx 71 miles away from Buffalo Copps. Collisieum to Buffalo's arena is around 76. Its said it could be fought in courts weather or not buffalo get anything why should Canadians be supporting a US team anyway would they do same for us if they rely on us so much why do they have a team?Truth is Cdns only make up 11% i Believe in Buffalo! o many 2million not 8 damn thiefing Franchise. That city is gone to hell and bound for worse they are the biggest and only opsticle in my mind why Hamilton doesnt have one. Hamiltonians know this and is why you dont see many buffalo jerseys or supporters for them!

So why does hamilton scare so many people making US markets look bad? Hamilton gets a team you be sure Winnipeg wont be far away, BTW who is this owner for Winnipeg Peg?

Its Manitoba Moose owner/MTS Centre owner Mark Chipman as well as Billionaire David Asper (who will soon own the Blue Bombers)

Originally Posted by peg_city

Its Manitoba Moose owner/MTS Centre owner Mark Chipman as well as Billionaire David Asper (who will soon own the Blue Bombers)

Well I hopes the best for the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitobia for that matter how the rink do they meet the box requirements and all? I know 15k is a little small for NHL standards but i also know they sell out 15k every game and probably better then many current teams.

[peg_city]

The MTS Centre is expandable.

*Notes - I was listening to the Fan 590 and Bob McCowen and Steven Brunt were trying to push the argument that the NHL will contract if teams down south start 'throwing the keys on the table.' Las Vegas turned down Bruckheimers arena deal, Southern Ontario still has to deal with zoning restrictions and Winnipeg (according to Brunt) can't generate the revenues to spend to the cap floor.

I'm not sure what there basing this on or if there just spewing from the mouth for entertaiment sake but it seems extremely unlikely the NHL will contract. Southern Ontario IMO is the only market that can definitley support a team and will probable support a team in the near future, Winnipeg is a maybe, but a maybe is better then the 'NO' they are receiving in a number of markets down south. Kansas City had the free arena deal on the table a number of months ago but I don't know if it still stands. There's Houston as well.

*I don't know if I mentioned this but if the Phoenix Yotes claim bankruptcy they can break the arena lease, which is highly possible. Bruckheimer name has been rumored as a possible owner.

[danmarley21]

Here is what should happen to the NHL:

Atlantic- Keep all teams
Northeast- Keep all teams
Southeast- Move Atlanta and Florida
Central- Move Nashville
Northwest- Nothing
Pacific- Keep San Jose and Anaheim, move Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles

Possible Locations: Quebec City, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Kansas City, Portland, Seattle

[kkfan91]

and Uranium City

[danmarley21]

The reason why the NHL is struggling is because of Gary Bettman. He is ruining the NHL. After the strike, he decides to keep financially depleting franchises down south and sign a television deal with a Canadian Outdoor Network known as OLN (now Versus). No one south of the border can get that network unless they have iO and have an extensive package for channels in the 400s. fans will now have to watch highlights on espn. All espn sports center shows is sterioids in baseball, vick's prision sentence, and how much of an asshole terrell owens is. If i was the NHL commissioner, here is what I will do to get fans back.

1. Move teams.
Lets face it, no one down south likes hockey. It is very rare to go to miami, fl and ask a resident if they saw the panthers-thrashers game the other night and then have a conversation about it. Plus, according to Forbes.com, the highest income franchise is the Toronto Maple Leafs with $440 million. If you look at baseball, the most profitable team is the yankees who makes $1 billion a year. The real money for hockey is in the northern us and canada. Here is what i'll do. Ill move these organizations to new locations: Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, and Los Angeles Kings. Those locations will be as follows and rename them: Quebec City Nordiques, Hamilton Tigers, Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Emeralds, Portland Steel, and Cleveland Rockers. Finally, I will reorganize the divisions as seen below:

• USA East- NY Rangers, Pitsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders
• Canada East- Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Quebec City Nordiques, Hamilton Tigers
• Southeast- Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils
• Central- Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Rockers, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild
• Mountain- Colorado Avalance, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers
• Pacific- San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Seattle Emeralds, Portland Steel.

2. Salary Cap
There should be a league minimum and league maximum. Signing minor leaguers should be a separate tender and should be taken care of by the AHL and ECHL affiliates. If a player is called up, that player is still under the minor league contract. Once their contracts expire, they should be given the opportunity to sign with the NHL team that they were affiliated with.

3. Retraining NHL Refs
The NHL refs have been getting away with making bad calls. Its funny: in some games, one can get away with slashing an opponent in the neck while a guy who accidentally hooks someone in a crowd of ppl trying to get the puck is given a major and game misconduct. There has been speculation going around that the NHL is wrigged. As the new owner, there will be an investigation for every series of continuous bad calls. It's okay to mistake a hook from a safe play, but over and over again to the same team??? Come on!

4. Draft Pick Commerce
Owners try to receive the top pick in the draft by trading away rewarding prospects or old veterans to clear up cap space. Money is usually never involved. I will give players the right to buy draft picks from other teams if the other party is interested, but are set at these values. It goes against the NHL Salary Cap and they must sign that pick at that value on any level. The money that the other team receives will help that organization sign players and fund other projects in that organization. This must be approved by the League Commisioner. If any club violates this, they will be fined $500,000 or more, depending on the seriousness of the case, and they will be removed from the current draft and will lose their first round draft pick to the worst team in the league that following year.

• 1st Round- $700,000
• 2nd round[ $615,000
• 3rd Round- $540,000
• 4th Round- $475,000
• 5th Round- $370,000
• 6th Round- $245,000
• 7th Round- $150,000

[ubernewb]

I don't think there will be any expansion of the NHL within the US and Canada for some time, unfortunately. However, I do think there will be some relocation to the Great White North with teams like the Preds and the Coyotes. The Blue Jackets and Kings will definitely stay put because the Jackets are actually contending and LA is just too big a market to leave. Florida may be moved, as I honestly don't think Florida can support two ice hockey teams. (When you write out ice hockey and Florida, it just doesn't seem right, does it?) The Thrashers have been more a victim or horrendous personnel decisions than a poor market. They got practically nothing when they dealt Hossa last year and they can't seem to build even a decent foundation around one of the game's most dynamic players (Ilya Kovalchuk). I say move the Preds to Hamilton, the Coyotes back home the Winnipeg, and the Panthers to Quebec City. With the way Canadians love hockey, why isn't the NHL putting more teams where the support and the coverage is?

Overall, I think there will be expansion, but it will come in Europe. I mean, why the hell else would Bettman be shipping 4 teams over there to start each season? I could see it unfolding in one of three ways: either the NHL adds a division/conference for Europe (not sure how that would work and it would be ultra-unlikely) OR the NHL starts a league (kinda like NFL Europe but not crappy) where the teams duke it out, have playoffs, crown a champ who then plays the Stanley Cup champ for a 'world championship' or just plain enters the playoffs in one conference or the other (best expansion-related strategy) OR the NHL gets to working on their relationships with European leagues, sets up a tournament where each league's champion/all-star team plays in a round-robin type tournament with both NHL All-Star teams. This tourney could be every year or every few years (maybe the year of the Summer Olympics during the All-Star break). It would help introduce American and Canadian players to the rest of the world and showcase great international players who play in European leagues and may soon play in the NHL to the NHL markets.

Wow that was a long post, but I'm bored at work

[kkfan91]

3 words Uranium City Meltdowns