Inactive Member
I'm sure you've heard all the speculation surrounding the Pens of late, the sad truth is eventually they'll have to be moved. Which city do you think the team should be relocated to ? Personnally, I'd like to see a team back in Winnipeg but apparently that's a long shot.
Veteran
I can't see why it would be a long shot. right now Mario and Co. are commited to keeping the team in Pittsburgh, so they can't even look at other cities right now. But, eventually (as you said) they'll have to move, (assuming ofcourse nothing amazing comes out of the barganing agreement to save thses franchises).
Mario would like nothing more than to leave a Canadian legacy of his own and put a team in Winnipeg.
I can think of other cities like Houston, Portland, or Quebec City. But, Winnipeg should get a team, becuase several teams are ready to fold/relocate. Remember, Winnipeg got a call from another franchise, rumored to be Carolina.
Inactive Member
Before anything happens, a new CBA needs to be worked out. If there is no cap, then there will not be a team going to Winnipeg, don't expect Edmonton to stick around, and some teams (ie Pittsburgh) will just fold. The reckless owners of the NHL need to cut spending, and a cap is the only way they will. Under the current CBA, without a major TV deal, there just isn't the money to afford the NHL in Winnipeg. There is not a large enough TV market (just like I do not think that there is a large enough TV market to support Calgary and Edmonton (There is better ownership in Calgary, and more money floating around...they'll survive). So unless Winnipeggers can afford a $80 average ticket (remember, the new rinks fits only 15 000ish) there will not be NHL in Winnipeg. Under the same logic, you will not see an NHL team in Quebec City or Oklahoma City. Houston has major issues to discuss before they can join the NHL (2 owners that can not stand each other, and own different entities (Les Alexander owns the hockey rights to Houston (the Aeros) and the other guy owns the building)). Perhaps Portland could join, but that is one market with troubled franchises in Edmonton, Carolina, Nashville + Pittsburgh.
Just my 2 cents
JB
ps I would love to see the NHL back in WPG, and especially Quebec City. I was a huge Nords fan...
Inactive Member
I think Seattle or Portland would be an ideal place for a hockey club. I would hate to see another club in Texas. They have the stars and Houston already has an AHL team. Seattle has the Thunderbirds in the WHL, but I would like to see that area get an NHL team. There are a lot of people in that area who would really welcome a big time hockey club.
Journeyman
The quicker they get out the quicker we can get an AHL team in here. I'd even settle for UHL. Something different.
Veteran
I just heard a report today that stated that a local Hamilton Man wants to buy Copps Coliseum, he is appearently planning to renovate the building to meet NHL specks' then land a current NHL team.
Hamilton can support a team... the "Golden Horseshoe" is easily large enough to support 2 teams, Bettman has been denying them a team since he started the job.
Inactive Member
It will take a lot of renovations to make Copps NHL ready. Also, I doubt the Sabres, only an hour from Hamilton and trying to woo the Hamilton-Niagara crowd will let a team set up shop there cheaply. Yes, the Golden Horseshoe can support 2 teams, but can it support 3?
JB
W-I-N-N-I-P-E-G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Inactive Member
If Penguins will move, I would like to see it somewhere in Canada, but it doesn't look like that. If it situates still in US, I think Portland (Oregon) would be good.
Divisions can be moved after that:
Portland -> Northwest
Minnesota -> Central
Columbus -> Atlantic
Inactive Member
Originally Posted by ES84
They need to move some of the teams. Columbus is not a western team. Perhaps they can add some strength to the west by switching Columbus with Ottawa.
Inactive Member
No becaus they want Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal all in one division just like Edmonton, Vancouver, and Calgary.
I am new to hockey--I was reviewing stats and I don't know what a +/- means. can anybody help?
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