[Grumpypotpie]

Looks like June 22nd is the date the NHL plans to announce whether or not an expansion team will be awarded for the 2017-18 season. They would be foolish to deny Foley and his team. It's $500 million free for the other 30 teams and adds a team out west where they really need one. I feel like it's a pretty sure thing. Anyone else disagree?

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by Grumpypotpie

Looks like June 22nd is the date the NHL plans to announce whether or not an expansion team will be awarded for the 2017-18 season. They would be foolish to deny Foley and his team. It's $500 million free for the other 30 teams and adds a team out west where they really need one. I feel like it's a pretty sure thing. Anyone else disagree?

I could see them delaying a year or even two, but it seems like eventually it will happen.

[N804SY]

NHL? What about the NFL!!!!!!! DA RAIDERSSSSSSSSS

[Upstateanddown]

Raiders and a hockey team is deff needed .

[Irish4evr]

I don't think either the NFL or NHL will drop a team in Vegas at this time. Previous semi pro teams all seem to fail (51's excepted). The town is still very transient...people work all kinds of shifts, most visitors don't necessarily come to town to spend time in a sports arena, especially if they have one back home....and quite frankly, I do not believe this local economy could support it.

It seems a large majority of incoming are seeking cheap housing, cheap food, and low taxes...that mindset does not exactly fit with a pro franchise....I could be wrong...but I don't think so !

[Dibbels81]

I don't think that they'll announce Vegas won't get in team while they are actually in Vegas. I think they are purposely holding off to make it somewhat of an eventful announcement. My money is on Vegas getting the green light, and Quebec City will be put on the waiting list

[Bart9399]

I thought I heard Gary Bettman (commissioner of the NHL) on the radio over the weekend saying they are looking at one, two or no expansion teams at this time. Not sure where or even when (2018?).

If there are two teams, I think a Canadian team (possibly Quebec City) would be a good bet.

Las Vegas would be a good fit with the teams in the West: Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes.

Woow. I might get into hockey, again.

Should be interesting.


guy

[Grumpypotpie]

Originally Posted by Bart9399

I thought I heard Gary Bettman (commissioner of the NHL) on the radio over the weekend saying they are looking at one, two or no expansion teams at this time. Not sure where or even when (2018?).

If there are two teams, I think a Canadian team (possibly Quebec City) would be a good bet.

Las Vegas would be a good fit with the teams in the West: Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes.

Woow. I might get into hockey, again.

Should be interesting.


guy

I suspect they will only bring Vegas on this year. The Canadian dollar is very weak right now. If they do decide to award a team to Quebec City, someone is going to have to realign to the Western conference. My bet is Detroit or Columbus.

[Camaro5]

I follow the NHL closely and to be honest, I'm not sure about Vegas. Yes, there is the money, but long-term viability is questionable. Just look at Phoenix. That franchise is swirling in the bowl. I don't think Vegas would have the attendance to support a team.

They have talked about moving the teams in Carolina and Florida (Panthers), and even St. Louis was discussed. Just not enough revenue to support a $70+ million (salary cap) payroll. The minimum is around $50+ million and even that is a tough nut to crack when there aren't enough fans going to the games.

[Grumpypotpie]

Originally Posted by Camaro5

I follow the NHL closely and to be honest, I'm not sure about Vegas. Yes, there is the money, but long-term viability is questionable. Just look at Phoenix. That franchise is swirling in the bowl. I don't think Vegas would have the attendance to support a team.

They have talked about moving the teams in Carolina and Florida (Panthers), and even St. Louis was discussed. Just not enough revenue to support a $70+ million (salary cap) payroll. The minimum is around $50+ million and even that is a tough nut to crack when there aren't enough fans going to the games.

Vegas is completely a different animal than Arizona. If you have ever been to the arena in Glendale, they built it so far away from the city's fan-base. People don't want to suffer through 2 hours of traffic to attend a game 2 or 3 times a week. When they move that team to the downtown arena they are discussing, the Coyotes attendance will tick up. Especially now that they have a lot of young exciting players.

That will be the biggest challenge for a team in Las Vegas. How long does it take for them to be competitive. The league honchos have stated that they will set the expansion draft up in such a way as to make the team very competitive in short order. Vegas also has the benefit of having people visiting constantly. Out of the approximately 750,000 visitors every week, if only .5% of them buy/get comped a ticket, that fills close to 19% of the arena.