Should the NHL give up on America?

[Habsfan84]

I'll say yes you should call us Canadians but i dont mind being called the winningest team in all of hockey either.(Maybe thats just because i'm a Habs fan).

Either way back on topic. I say if you bring a Hockey team to Canada you need to put it in a smart area.

The two cities I believe it should go to are Winnepeg because theres a fan base and I hate to see Canada split that far apart. Ontario and Alberta are pretty far part.

The second city I believe the NHL should go to Is Quebec again. It would make a good French rivalrie.

I know both these cities have failed once but i think they deserve a second shot like Atlanta and Minnesota got.

[Habsfan84]

I would say Minnesota is the better one of the examples since Hockey is great in Minnesota. Why did they leave to Dallas.

[WingsForDinner]

I believe that was a decision by the ownership. It worked out well for them, as Dallas is a booming hockey town during the season, and it's starting to work out well for Minnesota, seeing as they got the Wild back. I admit I don't know much on that one, as I didn't become an NHL fan until the '95/'96 season (first year in the States)...

I agree, though. Minnesota is a great example of a premium hockey market.

[I'mChadCordero]

Originally Posted by Habsfan84

I would say Minnesota is the better one of the examples since Hockey is great in Minnesota. Why did they leave to Dallas.

The Minnesota North Stars were placed in the wrong city. The reason Minnesota got a new team is because they put this team in St. Paul. I can't remember what city they were in before.

[Habsfan84]

maybe thats a bit true but I think Hockey would almost catch on anywhere in Minnesota.

[G-Man]

The North Stars were in Bloomington, MN.

I'm another advocate for moving two poorly-performing "sunbelt" teams back to Winnipeg and Quebec City.

[Habsfan84]

Now they are talking about Europe before another team in Canada. Give me a break. Hockey would not work in Europe. Just imagine the travel hours. Lets keep it between Canada and the States. Canada deserves another team before Europe by far and i'm offended they would even consider Europe.

[detroitfan]

Yes give up on the American teams like Nashville and put another team in Winnipeg or Quebec or Souther Onario. Southern Onartio would be the best idea i would go to that teams games cuz it is closer but would still like to see detroit red wings kick their butts.
Bring back some teams to Canada!

[Habsfan84]

Peopl always say that hockey failed in Winnepeg and Quebec City. That is completely wrong because the reason that bothe those teams moved was because of their outdated venues. When they went to new city's the reason was that pheonix was in a good building and were on their way to building a new one. In Colorado they had the beautiful Pepsi centre. Both canadian cities looked into getting new arenas but the new arena deal was never made.

Both these Canadian clubs had overwhelming support in their Canadian cities. Winnepeg loved their hockey and so did Quebec.

So stop saying that Hockey Failed in those Canadian cities and say the venues failed in those cities.

[BigBadBlueBird]

No, Winnipeg failed because of a lot more than just an outdated arena. And no, America West Arena is not a good building for a hockey rink. "Overwhelming support" does not describe a team that never sold out, and actually had lower attendance than Phoenix does.

[Habsfan84]

Eugene Melnyk: Story by TSN - Canada's Sports Leader

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk thinks Canada could support more NHL teams.
Speaking at a press conference in regards to the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, Melnyk shared his thoughts, citing Winnipeg as an example.
"I'm a big fan of the province of Manitoba. and I know there are some really great fans there. The problem is; what do you do?" Melnyk said. "Do you build a 15,000 seat stadium and fill it, which is a success, or do you build a 20,000 (seat) stadium that has 10,000 people?
"It's a shame to see Quebec City have to move and then go on to Colorado and if you recall, that was one of the reasons I was really upset when I heard the Senators may leave Ottawa."
Melnyk is the Chairman of the host organizing committee for the event, which will be held in Ottawa from late December 2008 to early January 2009.

Other people think so to. Bring more teams to Canada

[Joe Strummer]

Winnipeg and Hamilton should receive teams. And then maybe Quebec CIty (if they build a new arena) and then Toronto should get a 2nd team. To make this happen, Phoenix, Florida, Nashville and NJD come up to Canada ( the Devils are good on the ice and they have a new arena now so it won't happen but there are 3 teams in the NYC area the Rangers and the Islanders can't go because they have great histories).

[Joe Strummer]

Originally Posted by BigBadBlueBird

No, Winnipeg failed because of a lot more than just an outdated arena. And no, America West Arena is not a good building for a hockey rink. "Overwhelming support" does not describe a team that never sold out, and actually had lower attendance than Phoenix does.

That's not true, just recently there was a study made that if the Coyotes had stayed in Winnipeg but went had a MTS Centre sized rink for the 1997 season they would be better off than how they are doing in Phoenix.
I think I might have messed up the words a bit but hopefully you get what I'm saying.

[Pounder]

Just a thought.

There was never an ACTUAL southern expansion strategy.

Shall we look at this expansion by expansion from the 90s on?

San Jose- New Arena in Top 5 market area, or the general area, anyway. Main tenant.

Anaheim- New Arena, main tenant.

Florida- started off sharing with Miami Heat, then managed their own arena as main tenant.

Ottawa- New Arena, main tenant.

Tampa Bay- after messing around a couple locales, got their new arena. Main tenant.

Minnesota- New Arena, main tenant, even though they could have shared Target with the Timberwolves.

Columbus- New Arena, main tenant.

Nashville- New Arena, main tenant.

Atlanta- shares with the woeful Atlanta Hawks, not sure if the Thrashers get more perks than the Hawks. Major corporate base.

You could even talk about Phoenix (who by hook AND crook got their own arena) and Colorado (who, despite the Nuggets, are the main tenant in Pepsi Center) as moves with purpose.

None of these teams are moving. The revenue streams of the luxury suites and club seats and corporate sponsorships are the big drivers.

One more thing- the "every big city" concept is not only a poor idea, but the "major leagues" are getting away from it. The Sonics moving to Oklahoma City was no accident, because the Sonics couldn't sell suites in competition with the Seahawks and Mariners. Louisville is probably going to bag an NBA or NHL team before Kansas City does. Phoenix actually SHOULD lose a team (possibly the largest retirement community in the world, and they historically DON'T buy tickets), but the community and businesses accomodated the big 4 so well that it'll be hard for one of the teams to leave. There will be less 4-sport towns and more spread-out leagues, as the "have-not" cities are MUCH more likely to stupidly spend money on building stadia and arenas than the established ones now.

[Joe Strummer]

Louisville before KC?
I don't know about that. Maybe.
What about Seattle and Portland? I REALLY, REALLY want to see team there. Not expansion but relocated teams going there.
Those BIG cities support the WHL. No offense ti Junior I like it but thats a small town Canadian thing and they support it. Now throw a NHL team there.