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There are two questions I am trying to ask here. Would you like to see a new NHL team in a city that has no team, or another team in a city that already has a team.
New York City (Rangers, Islanders) and Los Angeles (Kings, Ducks) have two NHL teams. Some might even consider the New Jersey Devils part of the NYC market.
In my opinion, I would like to see one more team in the Bay Area. Yes San Jose is a good city, but what about a hockey team in San Francisco?
I also think Baltimore should have a NHL to go along with the Capitals. Maybe even another team in Minneapolis since the Wild are in St. Paul.
As far as a city that doesn’t have a team yet, I have a few in mind. Albany, New York. Salt Lake City, Utah. Maybe even New Orleans.
Another expansion team probably will not happen for awhile now. The push to add Seattle was to match the NFL with 32 teams. Some team owners and execs actually believed it was risky to expand into markets where Hockey was not popular. With the new TV deal along with hopefully the end of Covid that attitude has changed.
Another expansion team probably will not happen for awhile now. The push to add Seattle was to match the NFL with 32 teams. Some team owners and execs actually believed it was risky to expand into markets where Hockey was not popular. With the new TV deal along with hopefully the end of Covid that attitude has changed.
I agree. Also, the expansion fee was some crazy, exorbitant figure too. You'd really need owners with a ton of money who can make such a move. 32 is a pretty stable figure. I would guess if there is any changes, there would be relocation prior to any new expansion.
As far as a new team or two... I don't know what the territorial rights are, but Indy is a good idea. I also like Quebec for a second time, or even a second team in Toronto. They could definitely support it.
I agree. Also, the expansion fee was some crazy, exorbitant figure too. You'd really need owners with a ton of money who can make such a move. 32 is a pretty stable figure. I would guess if there is any changes, there would be relocation prior to any new expansion.
As far as a new team or two... I don't know what the territorial rights are, but Indy is a good idea. I also like Quebec for a second time, or even a second team in Toronto. They could definitely support it.
They won't give Toronto a second team, not when they denied it to Hamilton which is only a half-hour drive away.
Expansion is not likely but even if it were, Houston is the next location in all liklihood. At over 7 million in population (metro) and plenty of corporate support opportunity it's pretty much a no-brainer if the right owner comes to the table.
Some of you won't want to hear this but I think Atlanta will be "speculated" again at some point. You can argue about the Thrashers but how could you expect people in that town to care when the ownership group did nothing to endure them to the team and ran them into the ground and out of town in the first place? I'm not saying it will happen but with 6 million in the metro and TNT (headquartered in Atlanta) coming into the fold for TV rights, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to one day see a return of the league to the ATL.
Looks like expansion is highly unlikely. The more likely scenario is that one of the sunbelt teams fail (AZ or FLA). In that case the smart option is to move the club north to the birthplace of hockey. Quebec City should be the top destination with Hamilton as a secondary option.
Expansion is not likely but even if it were, Houston is the next location in all liklihood. At over 7 million in population (metro) and plenty of corporate support opportunity it's pretty much a no-brainer if the right owner comes to the table.
Some of you won't want to hear this but I think Atlanta will be "speculated" again at some point. You can argue about the Thrashers but how could you expect people in that town to care when the ownership group did nothing to endure them to the team and ran them into the ground and out of town in the first place? I'm not saying it will happen but with 6 million in the metro and TNT (headquartered in Atlanta) coming into the fold for TV rights, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to one day see a return of the league to the ATL.
I highly doubt Atlanta. Not only did they lose the Thrashers, but the city lost the Flames in 1980 to Calgary. That's two teams. Why would the NHL put a third franchise there? Makes no sense.
I agree about Houston. They have MLB, NFL, and NBA. It's the fourth largest city in the USA, which many folks do not know. Fan support would definitely not be an issue.
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Canada bound
