this is why i shake my head at those who call Bettman's southern expansion a mistake. it was never going to be an overnight success, it takes decades to build a fanbase for a sports that's new to an area. i remember when the Predators were talked about for relocation, but now they have a very solid fanbase that's growing every year, and IMO are one of the funnest teams to watch in the playoffs because of how involved their crowd gets. same goes with Carolina and Tampa Bay.
if Atlanta had ever gotten competent management, maybe they'd still have a team. and same with Phoenix, who sadly finally seems to get themselves on track when it was all but too late
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