Quote:
Originally Posted by _Q_
I think another team in Toronto would be a massive failure comparable to the Phoenix fiasco. Leafs nation is strongly passionate about their team. There's no way any of them will switch allegiances.
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I completely disagree. I know a lot of people who grew up in the GTA that were not Leafs fans. With Buffalo and Detroit so close by, a lot of people were happy to embrace a team that was not the Leafs, even if it meant having to cross the boarder to attend home games.
There are so many people in that area that are hungry for NHL hockey and are unable to go to Leafs games (either due to ticket prices or unavailability) that they would be thrilled to have another local team to cheer for.
They don't even have to place the team directly in Toronto. Hamilton would work just as well. The only way I can see it becoming a "Phoenix fiasco" is if they put the new team in Guelph and tried to rely upon people driving in from surrounding towns.