Can the Twin Cities support two hockey teams?

[mrconfusion87]

I want Minnesota and Winnipeg in the SAME DIVISION! Time we get a rivalry going with them!

[southernsmoke]

Originally Posted by Slig

I'm sure there are some bitter locals, but being the only NHL team to have average attendance below 80% for the last 3 seasons just isn't going to cut it. Also, I don't think you're going to find too many diehard NHL fans outside of Atlanta who aren't completely in favor of this move. From a utilitarian standpoint this is the right move.

I hear you (and understand), but I will back rcsteiner up here a little bit...

Hypothetically speaking (because I know the Thrashers have been terrible), what could be better for hockey than Atlanta building a successful NHL franchise? Do you really want hockey to be a regional sport forever? Obviously the Thrashers didn't really do the trick, but it's too simple to just say that people in Atlanta can never be hockey fans. There are other factors (management, on-ice play, etc.) that are very important if a young franchise is going to "make it." Other Southern franchises have "made it"--e.g., Nashville. Wouldn't the NHL actually be better if we could create hockey fans throughout the country and not just in Minnesota, Boston, and Canada?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by southernsmoke

I hear you (and understand), but I will back rcsteiner up here a little bit...

Hypothetically speaking (because I know the Thrashers have been terrible), what could be better for hockey than Atlanta building a successful NHL franchise? Do you really want hockey to be a regional sport forever? Obviously the Thrashers didn't really do the trick, but it's too simple to just say that people in Atlanta can never be hockey fans. There are other factors (management, on-ice play, etc.) that are very important if a young franchise is going to "make it." Other Southern franchises have "made it"--e.g., Nashville. Wouldn't the NHL actually be better if we could create hockey fans throughout the country and not just in Minnesota, Boston, and Canada?

If the sport gains popularity expansion is the obvious answer. However, I'm talking about bringing hockey back to the places where it is cherished. The NHL needs to go back to its roots and this is a great start. I don't think you understand how nuts the people in Canada are about their hockey.

[ozzie679]

The poor TV ratings is all you need to know about the popularity of hockey.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by southernsmoke

I hear you (and understand), but I will back rcsteiner up here a little bit...

Hypothetically speaking (because I know the Thrashers have been terrible), what could be better for hockey than Atlanta building a successful NHL franchise? Do you really want hockey to be a regional sport forever? Obviously the Thrashers didn't really do the trick, but it's too simple to just say that people in Atlanta can never be hockey fans. There are other factors (management, on-ice play, etc.) that are very important if a young franchise is going to "make it." Other Southern franchises have "made it"--e.g., Nashville. Wouldn't the NHL actually be better if we could create hockey fans throughout the country and not just in Minnesota, Boston, and Canada?

The Gwinnett Gladiators seem to draw a crowd, but they're more fun to watch than the Trashers were.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ozzie679

The poor TV ratings is all you need to know about the popularity of hockey.

Popularity != quality.

[west336]

It helps that you can easily play hockey here and in Canada though, and I think that accessibility allows average Joe's like me to be able to TRY to play hockey, whereas the average Joe in Atlanta will probably never have the chance unless he/she makes a very concerted effort to do so. Think about it, some of the most devoted fans of any sport once played the game -- that makes a huge difference IMO.

[knke0204]

Ok, so why did the Jets leave in the first place? It had nothing to do with the fans, but I just hope the Winnipeg fans realize that it's the NHL of the 2010s not the 1990s. It's much different. You're not going to be able to put a competative team on the ice and pay $15 a ticket for front row. They're going to have to realize they'll fork over big money and whether the team is successful or not, it's the butts in the seats that ultimately decide a franchises' fate. Plus currency exchange rates are much better now.