NHL Expansions

[Para]

I was talking with a few people recently about the new NHL conferences they are supposed to be changing to next season. A point was brought up that each conference should have the same amount of teams, and it got into a talk about possibly adding new teams/franchise to the NHL. Most of our discussion was just "it would be cool if..." and people talking about past teams they miss (Nordiques, Whalers, Jets, North Stars, etc) but I actually started to research it and found out a lot of cool information and it turns out to be way more complicated and fucked up than I imagined.

This is a very detailed and well made PDF explaining the potential expansion for more Canadian teams. If you like hockey I recommend reading it, even if you aren't a fan of adding new franchise, or relocating existing ones. Its worth reading simply to learn about how the different teams are doing financially, how the NHL makes money vs other sports leagues such as the NFL and MLB.

http://www.mowatcentre.ca/pdfs/mowatResearch/31.pdf

There is also a lot of info on here too
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potenti...ague_expansion

Its really cool to see how many people are have actually tried and are still trying to get an NHL franchise in their city. Either way, the economic facts about the success of Canadian teams vs American teams is really cool and worth reading. I always knew Canadians loved hockey and I kind of take it for granted, but there is a ton of statistical evidence to warrant new teams in Canada. All the facts and figures were helpful but when it comes down to it, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Canadians like hockey.

At first the just skimmed the article and read a few things that stood out, but I went back and thoroughly read the whole thing and I'm glad I did


Also this PDF was before Atlanta was sold to Winnipeg so it makes mention to that being a possibility, and its funny to see because it actually happened and how ridiculously succesful the Winnipeg Jets are vs the Atlanta Thrashers.

Since most of you don't know, I am from Winnipeg and I love hockey, I heart broken when the Jets left and have been patiently waiting, along with every other Winnipeger for the past 15 years for them to return, so I guess this information will be a little more interesting to me than a lot of you

TLDR: tons of hockey information, go jets go, hartford whalers and quebec nordiques should come back.

I posted this on another forum but I'm not sure how many people there are hockey fans, and I know there are at least a few on here, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

[Luke]

I'm still upset that the divisions were changed in the first place (Norris, Smythe, Patrick, and Adams if memory serves).

I've loved and played hockey since I could hold a hockey stick, but I really hope the NHL doesn't expand. More teams equals a dilution of the talent pool, and already with 30 teams, that's more than enough. I'd love to see teams like the Whalers come back, but the truth is these teams have just relocated and tacked on new names. Hockey was never broken, and I don't see why Bettman is always trying to "fix it".

I say ditch the shoot out, bring back the two line pass penalty, and stop trying to turn the game into something it's not. But I'm a hockey purist, so I'm sure I'm in the minority with these suggestions.

[ZenLogikos]

I haven't read the pdf yet, but I will post again after I do. I have followed this issue myself though (for years), and done my own research. My belief is that the NHL should have more Canadian teams - up to ten, but eight would probably be a better number for profitability. My opinion has been based on several factors including population, location, etc. Of course, I also think the NHL would do well to contract by at least two teams.

In the end, there is almost no chance of contraction. Those teams paid money to all the other owners to enter the league. It would be quite messy to divorce them. As far as relocation/expansion: The most important factor in any of it is the owner. A person with deep enough pockets and a desire to bring a team to his city. AFAIK, right now, the only city with a potential owner is Quebec City. The SECOND most important factor is a building that can make enough money. Size, corporate suites, sponsorship from the community etc. Quebec is on the road to a new arena.

Balsillie wants a team, in Hamilton or even a second in Toronto, but opposition from the league and certainly the Maple Leafs themselves make this unlikely.

I seriously doubt any other city in Canada could support an NHL team, just based upon population and corporate sponsors, but as I said, I will read the pdf and get back to you...

EDIT: Just skimmed the wikipedia article(your link was broken, but I found it anyway). I really hate seeing the mention of Houston and Las Vegas as relocation/expansion sites. They will never be anything more than a greedy gamble. Houston is one of the largest cities in the country, so the NHL sees dollar signs when imagining all the eyes watching a team there. Too bad it would be the same situation as in Atlanta or Phoenix. Plenty of people, none of whom care about hockey.

[Yancakes]

I hate the new divisions, they're uneven. 30 is not a multiple of 4. I think the current system is absolutely fine, they just need to re-distribute the teams to be less freaking retarded- Winnipeg being in the southeast is absolutely unfair.

[Yancakes]

Good news, everyone!

The NHLPA blocked the realignment plan

[ZenErik]

If Quebec and Hartford came back we could have even conferences of 8.

That said, the Avalanche are my favorite team. What do I do if the Nordiques are back?

It's fine if they don't change to 4 conferences, but I DO think some teams need to switch divisions so the divisions actually make sense.

Still not quite as bad as Boise State joining the BIG EAST in college football...

[YoshiEgg25]

Still not quite as bad as Boise State joining the BIG EAST in college football...

When those went official, I asked my friend (who's a big college football fan):

"Does San Diego St. fly east or west to get to UConn?"

[the King]

I hate the new divisions, they're uneven. 30 is not a multiple of 4. I think the current system is absolutely fine, they just need to re-distribute the teams to be less freaking retarded- Winnipeg being in the southeast is absolutely unfair.

At least the new divisions made more sense geographically. You think Winnipeg having to travel south is unfair, how about being based in the eastern time zone and being in the Western conference?