[Rumour] NHL and Seattle talking about expansion fees (~$225M)

[zyzz]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

there was teams with weak rosters when the league was 21 teams too, what's your point?

They might as well be AHL teams then, there's simply not enough talent to ice two teams.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by zyzz

They might as well be AHL teams then, there's simply not enough talent to ice two teams.

There certainly is.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Joborule

The talent would distribute out fairly well. Games would be more or less the same as it is now.

This. Making two more teams isn't going to change this from a league wide perspective. If people have no problem with the level of the league now, then they won't have a problem with the talent level at 32 teams

[zyzz]

Originally Posted by strombad

There certainly is.

I would love to see the bluelines on these teams. 3rd and 4th lines as well, cringe worthy..

[GirlySports]

Las Vegas Glitter

or

Las Vegas Hedges

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by zyzz

I would love to see the bluelines on these teams. 3rd and 4th lines as well, cringe worthy..

It won't be their 3rd and 4th lines that will be cringe worthy, there's lots of 3rd/4th line players available, many stuck in a backlog on AHL teams.

It'll be their 1st and 2nd lines that will be cringe worthy.

[zyzz]

Originally Posted by flameswin

It won't be their 3rd and 4th lines that will be cringe worthy, there's lots of 3rd/4th line players available, many stuck in a backlog on AHL teams.

It'll be their 1st and 2nd lines that will be cringe worthy.

That's what I'm saying. These said players are in the AHL for a reason they can't compete with the big boys. Yes the first and second lines would be terrible as well. I don't know where everyone thinks these players will come from?

[strombad]

Originally Posted by zyzz

That's what I'm saying. These said players are in the AHL for a reason they can't compete with the big boys. Yes the first and second lines would be terrible as well. I don't know where everyone thinks these players will come from?

From the NHL. Expansions have happened before, it'll happen again. Expansion is good for the talent pool.

Honestly, it really isn't the concern you're making it out to be. There are plenty of capable rookies and veterans across the NHL and AHL I fill a team of comparable quality to the bottom 10 teams in the league. If Seattle and Vegas get teams it's not going to be a sudden shot up into contention, it'll be a build.

I just don't get your argument I guess. You think outside of a couple guys a team like Florida is filled with guys that would make the NHL squad on the Ducks?

[zyzz]

No need for expansion. Relocation makes more sense. I'd love to see these teams you would construct. 40 skids on ice.

[dissentowner]

I am curious about who the Flames protect or an expansion draft and who we would protect. Here are some of the rules from the last one.
For teams protecting only one goaltender, there was no experience requirement for those left unprotected. For teams protecting two goaltenders, each goaltender left unprotected must have appeared in either 10 NHL games in the 1999–2000 season or 25 games in the 1998–99 season and 1999–2000 seasons combined. A goaltender had to be in net for at least 31 minutes in each game for the game to be counted against these totals.
At least one defenceman left unprotected by each team had to have appeared in at least 40 games in the 1999–2000 season or 70 games in the 1998–99 season and 1999–2000 seasons combined. At least two forwards left unprotected by each team had to have met the same requirements.
52 players were chosen in the draft, two from each participating franchise. Only one goaltender or one defenseman could be selected from each franchise.
- See more at: http://thehockeywriters.com/2014-nhl....ZbRSgsux.dpuf

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Buff

I heard talk of expansion for a couple of years now, but it has been my wish that instead of re-locating that they would expand and then contract a couple of the troubled teams within a couple of years. I'm happy with only 30 teams, and my wish should be the NHL's command right? Besides, expansion fees bring in mucho money to the NHL so it makes sense that they would want to expand. With the way the salary cap keeps going up they can crunch the numbers to make a business case that the NHL is doing well and can afford to support two more teams.

I agree with most of what you said, however just let me make my case.

2 more teams, they will probably move to 84 games, keep the Olympics, and stagger them with the World Cup.

How much hockey can these guys play?

How is the business case for the NHL with Crosby, Ovechkin, and Kane out with injuries heading into the playoffs.

There is too much hockey. For the players and fans.

/end of rant

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

There is too much hockey. For the players and fans.

/end of rant

Said by no hockey fans. Just don't watch certain hockey when it gets too much?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by zyzz

I would love to see the bluelines on these teams. 3rd and 4th lines as well, cringe worthy..

The worst defences in the NHL today would be above average in the NHL the year we won the Cup. The opening of Europe and the massive growth of the game in the US (which is still a developing nation in terms of hockey talent) swelled the talent pool faster than the 1991-2000 expansion phase drained it.

If you want to compare a theoretical 32-team NHL in 2015-16 to the current 30 teams, then yes, there would be a slight decrease in the average talent. But if you want to compare that theoretical 32-team league to what we had 15 years ago, 25 years ago, 35 years ago... No contest. It would probably take the addition of a dozen teams to bring the talent pool down to 1980s levels.

[seattleflamer]

KJR's Ian Furness, who is the "hockey guy" locally, mentioned on his radio show that there are 3 separate groups talking to the NHL. The Jeremy Roenick group is probably 3rd in the running at this point. The other two have significant local ties and farther ahead in the process.

Link: fast forward to around 20 minute mark.

The arena agreement is based on NBA first. It could be tweaked for NHL but I'm not sure there is the political will to do so with a new mayor and several new council members.

Also, the current arena deal protects the taxpayer to such an extent that it doesn't pencil out. It carries so much more risk to make it questionable as a private investment. That will not change for the NHL based group.

Hansen/Ballmer are putting $290 million for the arena with county/city lending $200 million with any cost over runs or shortages in loan repayments paid for by Hansen/Ballmer.

That is the cost of bringing back the beloved Sonics. It is a heart over head transaction. Is any potential NHL group willing to take the lead financially and the associated risks to bring back the Metropolitans?

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Said by no hockey fans. Just don't watch certain hockey when it gets too much?

When you have even watching NHL hockey for. 25 or so years it's tough to not watch the SCF.

But it becomes a chore to watch hockey on June 10th.

[Joborule]

Hockey goes on far too late. I'd prefer for it to be done by May, but unless the owners find they will gain money from shortening the season, it'll unfortunately never happen.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

2 more teams, they will probably move to 84 games, keep the Olympics, and stagger them with the World Cup.

There is no reason to think or expect that the NHL would move to a longer schedule. The Eastern Conference is already formulated aroung 16 teams/2x8 team divisions. Expansion would even it out in the West.

How is the business case for the NHL with Crosby, Ovechkin, and Kane out with injuries heading into the playoffs.

Why stop there? What's the business case with Crosby, Ovechkin, Kane, Iginla, Price, Subban, Kessel, Getzlaf, Thornton, Tavares, Stamkos, Perry, Quick, Sedin, Sedin, Hall, Toews, Seguin, Alfredsson, Spezza, Skinner, Callahan, Brodeur, Carter and Weber all being out with injuries heading into the playoffs?

There is too much hockey. For the players and fans.

I doubt very much that you are capable of speaking for either group.

[jayswin]

For those of you who think there's too much hockey or it goes too late or whatever, I'm curious what the issue is. Not being a dick, either, just genuinely wondering.

Is it because it's warm out? To me, it's awesome when it's warm out and you have playoff hockey. It's like the best of both worlds. Cold beers, hot days, playoff hockey, just awesome!

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There is no reason to think or expect that the NHL would move to a longer schedule. The Eastern Conference is already formulated aroung 16 teams/2x8 team divisions. Expansion would even it out in the West.



Why stop there? What's the business case with Crosby, Ovechkin, Kane, Iginla, Price, Subban, Kessel, Getzlaf, Thornton, Tavares, Stamkos, Perry, Quick, Sedin, Sedin, Hall, Toews, Seguin, Alfredsson, Spezza, Skinner, Callahan, Brodeur, Carter and Weber all being out with injuries heading into the playoffs?

I doubt very much that you are capable of speaking for either group.

How am I not capable for fans seeing how I am one?

As for the players listed above. If they out with injuries, the playoffs suck for fans and that may affect and gate revenue. Do I need to break it down further?

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by flameswin

For those of you who think there's too much hockey or it goes too late or whatever, I'm curious what the issue is. Not being a dick, either, just genuinely wondering.

Is it because it's warm out? To me, it's awesome when it's warm out and you have playoff hockey. It's like the best of both worlds. Cold beers, hot days, playoff hockey, just awesome!

You are not being a dick it's a valid question.

It's summer. I want to be out on my bike, or hiking, or camping. Plus I do a good job of neglecting my wife and daughter during the playoffs so I want to turn my attention to them once June hits.

It just becomes too much after a whole.