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Originally Posted by 868904
It is a legit threat even though Seattle really just wants an NBA team back, they really have no appetite for an NHL team. The NHL wants in though.
It really would be dumb of the Flames to leave a town where they are King to being the 5th or 6th option in Seattle. The Seahawks are king there and despite having a decent time in recent years, the Mariners can't even draw good crowds. The Sounders have a loyal following. Then there are all the college teams. I really don't see an NHL team drawing much fan interest there, but to the NHL, they don't really care about ticket sales, they care about the tv package they can sell.
Too bad Katz didn't move the Oilers there, it would have been perfect and if they got McDavid too while in Seattle, that might actually have worked.
Also, Seattle's arena deal is almost as big a sideshow as Calgary's; however, they don't actually have any team yet.
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Seattle has a long running WHL team that averages close to 5k attendance which is not bad for junior hockey in a US city. The Seahawks are the big draw but when they hit the skids that will change and like most US cities the team that is winning is the most popular team. I think a Seattle team would do fine given close proximity to Vancouver and the California teams and the rivalry possibilities. If successful it may also open the door for Portland. It's the best untapped US market so there's no way the NHL stands in the way of a team relocating there. The city took to the Sounders so I don't see why they wouldn't take to a good NHL team.