Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Bull.
In the modern era relocation is damned near unheard of respective of the NHL.
Winnipeg got the Jets back because of a perfect storm of economics. No local ownership interest etc.
But Phoenix, the Panthers, the lightning for a while, Blue Jackets, Islanders and Carolina have been hemorrhaging cash for years and they're not going anywhere.
In terms of 'moving teams to where they can succeed' Calgary is very, very low on the list.
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There is a number of teams a league can effectively support. For the NFL that number is 32. For MLB it's 30. For the NBA it's 30. For the NHL, it appears they are headed to 32. Once the league hits that magic number, and achieves stability, that is when you'll see relocation on the table. Calgary, with limited revenue streams and a weak Canadian dollar, is a relocation candidate, just as every team with limited revenues is a candidate. If more revenues are possible in a new locale, what motivation is there to stay?
If local ownership shows they no longer have interest in maintaining the team, they will pursue other potential ownership. If a potential local owner with deep products comes forward, and is willing to accept the local revenue streams, the team will stay. If there is no one locally, other ownership options will be pursued. If the local owners want out, the market may not be as healthy as you think.