NHL EXPANSION

[EPJr]

For now, the NHL has disputed reports that the league plans to expand to Las Vegas, Seattle, Quebec City and add a second team in Toronto by 2017. Let's assume otherwise.

Expansion is a way of generating free money for existing NHL owners. The NHL expanded by four teams from 1998-2000, adding Nashville, Atlanta, Minnesota and Columbus. Each paid an $80 million franchise fee, allowing the league to distribute nearly $12.5 million to each existing club.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nh ... /14739931/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bluehenbillk]

I favor NHL contraction over expansion personally.

[GannonFan]

Maybe put a team back into Quebec City (then we can all root against it) or in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) but expansion of the NHL would just be silly.

[89Hen]

Maybe put a team back into Quebec City (then we can all root against it) or in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) but expansion of the NHL would just be silly.

This

[bluehenbillk]

Maybe put a team back into Quebec City (then we can all root against it) or in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) but expansion of the NHL would just be silly.

I assume you're advocating relocating current teams...

[89Hen]

Maybe put a team back into Quebec City (then we can all root against it) or in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) but expansion of the NHL would just be silly.

I assume you're advocating relocating current teams...

That's what I was assuming he meant.

[GannonFan]

I assume you're advocating relocating current teams...

That's what I was assuming he meant.

Yuppers. Like how Winnipeg got a team back.

[89Hen]

That's what I was assuming he meant.

Yuppers. Like how Winnipeg got a team back.

They should have moved the Islanders to Canada. I do hope they draw in Brooklyn, but I wouldn't wager my hard earned money on it (not even my easily earned money).

[GannonFan]

Yuppers. Like how Winnipeg got a team back.

They should have moved the Islanders to Canada. I do hope they draw in Brooklyn, but I wouldn't wager my hard earned money on it (not even my easily earned money).

The Coyotes shouldn't still be around either. That would've been an easy candidate to send to Hamilton or Quebec. Not sure why the NHL was so adamant that that one had to stay in Phoenix.

[89Hen]

They should have moved the Islanders to Canada. I do hope they draw in Brooklyn, but I wouldn't wager my hard earned money on it (not even my easily earned money).

The Coyotes shouldn't still be around either. That would've been an easy candidate to send to Hamilton or Quebec. Not sure why the NHL was so adamant that that one had to stay in Phoenix.

4th (?) largest city in the US and fills a big geographical gap from LA to Dallas/Denver.

[Ivytalk]

Mrs. Ivy and I already have our "new Nords" jerseys and t-shirts. (Actually, my wife has a vintage Peter Stastny jersey). We were in Quebec City in July, and everyone there is excited about the new arena and getting an NHL team back. C'est magnifique!

[bluehenbillk]

Florida Panthers will be the 1st/next team to relocate.

[GannonFan]

The Coyotes shouldn't still be around either. That would've been an easy candidate to send to Hamilton or Quebec. Not sure why the NHL was so adamant that that one had to stay in Phoenix.

4th (?) largest city in the US and fills a big geographical gap from LA to Dallas/Denver.

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

[DSUrocks07]

Florida Panthers will be the 1st/next team to relocate.

[89Hen]

4th (?) largest city in the US and fills a big geographical gap from LA to Dallas/Denver.

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

Hate to say it, but does filling the arena really matter that much?

[GannonFan]

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

Hate to say it, but does filling the arena really matter that much?

So you're saying having a fanbase is irrelevant? Then why does it matter where they are located? They can't be getting decent tv ratings either then.

[89Hen]

Hate to say it, but does filling the arena really matter that much?

So you're saying having a fanbase is irrelevant? Then why does it matter where they are located? They can't be getting decent tv ratings either then.

No, but I'd have to imagine there are teams that do well on TV that don't sellout games. I'm under the impression that TV dollars >>>> arena dollars. I could be wrong though.

[DSUrocks07]

4th (?) largest city in the US and fills a big geographical gap from LA to Dallas/Denver.

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

If market size is a factor, the Lightning will be the ones to move.

[SuperHornet]

I'd like to see teams in Quebec and Hartford....

[89Hen]

I'd like to see teams in Quebec and Hartford....

[93henfan]

Mrs. Ivy and I already have our "new Nords" jerseys and t-shirts. (Actually, my wife has a vintage Peter Stastny jersey). We were in Quebec City in July, and everyone there is excited about the new arena and getting an NHL team back. C'est magnifique!

You have got to be shitting me.

[dbackjon]

They should have moved the Islanders to Canada. I do hope they draw in Brooklyn, but I wouldn't wager my hard earned money on it (not even my easily earned money).

The Coyotes shouldn't still be around either. That would've been an easy candidate to send to Hamilton or Quebec. Not sure why the NHL was so adamant that that one had to stay in Phoenix.

Keep your damn hands off the Coyotes. Lets send the Flyers packing.

[dbackjon]

4th (?) largest city in the US and fills a big geographical gap from LA to Dallas/Denver.

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

Give the new ownership a chance. Team was well supported before the ownership debacles happened.

[DSUrocks07]

But it doesn't fill the big gap that is the arena that they play in.

But yes, moving one of the Florida teams first makes sense, certainly don't need two of them.

Give the new ownership a chance. Team was well supported before the ownership debacles happened.

Attendance for the Panthers was MUCH better at Miami Arena than they are now all the way in no-man's land in Sunrise.

Shame they couldn't work out a deal with the HEAT Group to play at AAA.

If Arison owned the Panthers as well...

[93henfan]

The Coyotes shouldn't still be around either. That would've been an easy candidate to send to Hamilton or Quebec. Not sure why the NHL was so adamant that that one had to stay in Phoenix.

Keep your damn hands off the Coyotes. Lets send the Flyers packing.

No. I think we established that teams with fan bases who support the squad get to keep their teams.