Good News for Supporters of the Return of the Winnipeg Jets!

[the2bears]

I drove past the Cowpalace the other day. Still hoping despite all odds. Gary, get 'er done.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

No, I meant that Kidd and Reese were darker years...

I don't think they were ever really a tandem.

Kidd played from 93-97. 93-94 was his Rookie year and IIRC he was Vernon's backup
Reese played from 91-94. Only one game was played in 93-94 before he was
traded to Hartford.

[CaptainCrunch]

Boy I guess old scars never heal. Whenever I hear Trevor Kidds name I have a flashback to that San Jose series where he completely fell apart.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Table 5

He might not have been very good but I was always a big fan of Rick, and I seem to remember him being a fan favorite almost as much as Freddy Brathwaite a couple of years later. We didn't have that much to cheer about back in those days of course, so we made the best of what we were given.

I'll agree on that one. I remember being pissed when Tabaracci was traded to TBay and we kept Kidd. In hindsight, neither were all that great.

[CaptainCrunch]

At least Tabby wasn't weak minded, he fought for his wins, and even when he was losing he continued to work and fight hard.

With Kidd he had the mental strength of a handy capable fire hydrant, when things started going wrong he completely froze then fell apart. I remember reading that he was so ritual and superstition driven that a fly landing in his dressing room stall would completely throw him off of his game.

As a person Trevor Kidd was probably a decent enough guy. As a goalie he stood for everything that was wrong with the Flames during the 7 years of hell. Mentally Frail, overhyped and a loser.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by troutman

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL...01331-qmi.html

After a long discussion with National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman last Friday, Quebec premier Jean Charest says he believes the NHL will return to Quebec City.

According to the premier, Bettman is "sincere" and wants to see a franchise return to the former home of the Nordiques. Charest noted that the "planets are aligned" in such a way that the profitability of a new professional team is no longer a question for him.

Charest said he explained to the commissioner that the long-term goal was to have the Olympic Games held in Quebec City and that world-class sports infrastructure was part of that plan.

Just for the record, I am 100% in favor of the NHL returning to Quebec City. Bettman has mentioned that he would like to expand the NHL by 2 teams in the next decade, but whether this happens remains to be seen.

[BlackAce]

I just pray that Bettman is no longer in power to see it happen... But it would be good to see a few more cities that care about hockey in the NHL

[Jets4Life]

Here is a very recent article about Darren Ford, who owns the Jetsowner.Com website:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...ckrV3mIQz5tM-w

I've met Darren and he is really a nice guy. Very down to earth and family orientated. Definitely not some fanatic who isn't thinking with a full deck. However, a slim minority of his regular followers seem to hurt the return of the Jets cause rather than help it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Here is a very recent article about Darren Ford, who owns the Jetsowner.Com website:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...ckrV3mIQz5tM-w

I've met Darren and he is really a nice guy. Very down to earth and family orientated. Definitely not some fanatic who isn't thinking with a full deck. However, a slim minority of his regular followers seem to hurt the return of the Jets cause rather than help it.

He might be a nice guy but the numbers on his site really don't add up to a NHL franchise being viable especially in the MTS center.

He claims that they can get by with an average ticket price of $60.00

I don't think that really works.

$60.00 x 15,000 = $900,000 per game which is $37,800,000.00 per year

He talks a great deal about how the NHL wants smaller arena's because teams are only getting 12,000 out to each game but he really ignores the fact that those teams are losing massive amounts of money.

His concept of success relies a great deal on league revenue sharing, but honestly this league needs to find a way for its teams to survive without any revenue sharing, the NHL can't keep adding teams into areas that are iffy to survive unless they get money from other teams.

He's vague about corporate support, which is key to make up the gap between actual revenues and required revenues. I just don't buy that its there.

He blows over the fact that the people of Winnipeg didn't do a great job of supporting the team in Winnipeg towards the end, which really puts Jets fans into the same category as fans from Phoenix, that isn't a good track record to have. I mean its great to say that they took it for granted. But if the Jets return to Winnipeg and have to run a low payroll team because of revenue stream issues how long will the Fans go to games where the jets lose over and over again.

I loved the Jets when I was a tyke, I loved watching Bobby Hull (still have two of his signed sticks) and Ulf Nilson and Anders Hedberg and Steve Durbano. But Winnipeg in its current form is not a great option for a NHL team. its not going to increase T.V. revenue, its going to need constant attention from the NHL to survive, and its going to need more revenue streams then are possible it they play out of a small stadium.

If they want a new half billion dollar hockey rink who's going to front the money? Who are the potential owners who are going to be willing to write off losses year after year? I just don't see it.

[Jets4Life]

I too disagree with the $60 average ticket price. I honestly believe, for the Jets to succeed, a more accurate figure would be closer to $80. As for the low attendance, I assume you are talking about the 1995-96 season, when it was known before the season started the Jets were moving to Phoenix, so it's hard to get excited about a team about to pack up and head to Arizona.

Additionally, that was a year when the Oilers were barely averaging 12,000 a game, Calgary and Ottawa had thousands of empty seats, and Vancouver was losing money. Apathy, in regards to the NHL survival in Canadian cities was running high, and fans chose to stay away in protest.

Corporate support would be no problem for us, as it would be a huge PR boost to support an NHL team in Winnipeg, and the AHL Moose have a huge waiting list for companies that want in on luxury suites. In fact, if I've heard correctly, the MTS Centre can be expanded to include a second ring of luxury suites.

I just pray we see the return of NHL hockey in Winnipeg in the next decade. I believe it is far more likely than many people are willing to believe.

[stignasty]

[IMG]http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/102*91/paul_wiecek.jpg[/IMG]
Really?

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Apathy, in regards to the NHL survival in Canadian cities was running high, and fans chose to stay away in protest.

Your team is going to move if it didn't get the financial support it needed and people in Winnipeg thought a protest would be a good idea to test them on that? What were they thinking? Normally if you want something to stay and it needs your support, you support it.

That right there shows why Winnipeg should never have a team again.

[flip]

Originally Posted by stignasty

[IMG]http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/102*91/paul_wiecek.jpg[/IMG]
Really?

nm I can't make it work either.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Your team is going to move if it didn't get the financial support it needed and people in Winnipeg thought a protest would be a good idea to test them on that? What were they thinking? Normally if you want something to stay and it needs your support, you support it.

That right there shows why Winnipeg should never have a team again.

This sad dog would be much happier if HOOT wasn't so negative about the return of an NHL team to Winnipeg.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

I just pray we see the return of NHL hockey in Winnipeg in the next decade. I believe it is far more likely than many people are willing to believe.

Don't look for an expansion team as I doubt the NHL is going to expand anymore. If it does it will be another team in southern Ontario.Then there's the problem of finding a team that is willing to reloacte to the Peg. The NHL would have a say in any move like they did with Ballsilly and his attempts to move the Coyotes to Hamilton.

The NHL would rather teams stay where they are if at all possible and will go to great lenghts to see that happen. Even if that doesn't work you have cities south of the border looking for a team. Kansas City has a new arena and odds are the Coyotes could be moving there. Then there's Portland, Las Vegas and Seattle. That's why I don't see a move to Winnipeg ever happening.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by Dion

Don't look for an expansion team as I doubt the NHL is going to expand anymore. If it does it will be another team in southern Ontario.

Not likely with the Maple Leafs and Sabres opposed to any team within their territory. The territorial conpensation paid out by a team in Hamilton will likely be in the hundreds of millions. Regardless, I am in favour of more Canadian NHL franchises, regardless of where they are placed.

The NHL would rather teams stay where they are if at all possible and will go to great lenghts to see that happen.

True.

Even if that doesn't work you have cities south of the border looking for a team. Kansas City has a new arena and odds are the Coyotes could be moving there. Then there's Portland, Las Vegas and Seattle. That's why I don't see a move to Winnipeg ever happening.

Kansas City - not likely, as the main player in the movement to bring a NHL franchise to KC is headed to prison for fraud. Additionally Kansas City failed miserably in it's first run with an NHL team. After the NFL Chiefs, there are really no sucessful pro sports franchise, as they have failed in the NBA and NHL, and the Royals are possibly the next MLB team to move to a different city, as they are losing money.

Portland - a team in Portland would likely be a success, but they would be playing second fiddle with the NBA Trailblazers. Additionally, are there any owners currently wanting to bring a team to Portland? In the past their has, but I though that particular owner lost interest. i'll have to research this.

Las Vegas - not a chance. Las Vegas has been hit hard by the recesson, it's similiarities and close proximity to Phoenix suggest an NHL team would be doomed in that area. Additionally they have no NHL ready arena. The Thomas and Mack Center is primarily used by the UNLV, and it would be hard to squeeze so many dates in that arena for hockey.

Seattle - years away from getting a team. That all can change with a new arena, but as it is, the region as no NHL calibre arena as the Key Center does not have the dimensions for Ice Hockey. I believe a team in Seattle would be a huge success, but it is upto the city to build an arena.


The NHL should put teams in Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hamilton before even contemplating adding more American cities to the mix.

[HOOT]

Looks like Saskatoon is going to get a NHL team before Winnipeg.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Kansas City - not likely, as the main player in the movement to bring a NHL franchise to KC is headed to prison for fraud. Additionally Kansas City failed miserably in it's first run with an NHL team. After the NFL Chiefs, there are really no sucessful pro sports franchise, as they have failed in the NBA and NHL, and the Royals are possibly the next MLB team to move to a different city, as they are losing money.

Portland - a team in Portland would likely be a success, but they would be playing second fiddle with the NBA Trailblazers. Additionally, are there any owners currently wanting to bring a team to Portland? In the past their has, but I though that particular owner lost interest. i'll have to research this.

Las Vegas - not a chance. Las Vegas has been hit hard by the recesson, it's similiarities and close proximity to Phoenix suggest an NHL team would be doomed in that area. Additionally they have no NHL ready arena. The Thomas and Mack Center is primarily used by the UNLV, and it would be hard to squeeze so many dates in that arena for hockey.

Seattle - years away from getting a team. That all can change with a new arena, but as it is, the region as no NHL calibre arena as the Key Center does not have the dimensions for Ice Hockey. I believe a team in Seattle would be a huge success, but it is upto the city to build an arena.


The NHL should put teams in Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hamilton before even contemplating adding more American cities to the mix.

Yes KC failed in first experiment. But so did Colorado, Minnesota, and Atlanta. Two of the teams have had a successful return. So NHL gives second chances.

KC already has a state of the art arena. And Portland and Seattle are in regions that should be more hockey friendly and greater population then Winnipeg. Thus, they should be ahead in getting a team then Winnipeg should. And the NHL does want to continue to expand it's US market.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by troutman

From what I understand, and Sidney Crosby's Hat can confirm this, there is a group already formed in Winnipeg (including a Toronto billionaire) ready to pounce when the time is right.

Very true. People can argue whether it will work or not, but the fact is that if the opportunity ever presents itself Winnipeg will try and get back in the game. Not saying they're willing to outbid the Balsillies of the world at any cost but they're in the mix.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

We used to call him "Red Light Rick" back in the early 90's when he played for the Jets. I still haven't forgiven John Paddock for benching Bob Essensa in favor of Tabbi during the 92 Playoffs against the Canucks. Brutal decision, and I don't think Essensa's confidence was ever the same, considering he was a Vezina Trophy runner up that season.

Not unless he changed his name to Kirk McLean he wasn't.