Quote:
Originally Posted by lvsteven
I could care what some Internet user thinks of me, nor should you care what I think of you.
Btw... I'm not exactly uncultured las Vegas born ignoramus of all things hockey. I'm born and raised in Canada.
Having a team in Winnipeg would be a fun novelty but after that wears out who says they can compete and stay in the leauge for the long run.
Businesses do not open locations where there is no profit.
But you can keep on dreaming of that. Hey maybe we can out teams in Regina and St. Johns newfondland while were at it!
After all, they love hockey there as much as anywhere in Canada, right?
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I think a team in Winnipeg would be more than just a novelty. This isn't 1996, and it certainly isn't the economic condition from that year, either. The city has grown and evolved since then, and has a wealthy ownership group (TNSE) willing to invest in a franchise.
Here's the attendance percentages for home games (vs. building capacity)of all Canadian teams from the 2010-11 season:
Toronto: 102.9
Calgary: 102.8
Vancouver: 102.4
Edmonton: 100.0
Montreal: 100.0
Ottawa: 96.0
And now, Phoenix:
Phoenix: 71.3
What makes you think hockey in Winnipeg would be a novelty?
Given the improved economic conditions (including the strong Canadian dollar), the growth of the city and the popularity of the game north of the border (in fact, Manitoba has the 2nd highest attendance record in the AHL) and an already-established Jets fan base, they could definitely have the potential to be a successful franchise.
The only thing holding Winnipeg back could be the shortness of seating at the MTS Centre. Other than that, I fail to see how a franchise there would be worse off than in Phoenix.
I don't think you have a case here at all.