What happens first: new arena or contender?

[BoomBoom]

I went to one of the STH lunches awhile back and someone asked Burke and King a really interesting question. It's a bit of a loaded question for those guys, but I thought it might be fun for everyone on here to debate.


We've been asked to be patient on two fronts: rebuilding this team into a bonafide contender and building a new arena to replace the "2nd worst rink in the league" (according to Brian Burke)

The question is simple, what happens first?
a) Flames are a contender
b) Flames play in a new building

[nik-]

Depends what contender is. We're definitely back in the playoffs before we get a new arena. They haven't even started the political song and dance for tax money yet. It's a long way off.

[Coach]

By build, do you mean complete, or put the shovel in the ground?

I think by the time it's finished we'll be on the rise.

[Finger Cookin]

I trade it all in for the mystery box.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by MattyC

By build, do you mean complete, or put the shovel in the ground?

I think by the time it's finished we'll be on the rise.

We're likely a couple of years from a formalized arena announcement and then about three years away from the arena being complete after that. So we'd better be on the damn rise in 5 years lol.

[kyuss275]

We will win Stanley cup the first year being in new building. 5 years from now

[MyFlamesFirst]

I will say contender. I think the plans for a new arena may be released before we are a contender, but by the time the flames are actually playing in a new building, we will already have been a playoff contender.

[Critter4223]

McDavid wins the Hart trophy the first year in the new stadium

[Critter4223]

Hell McDavid will probably win the Vezina and Norris

[getbak]

The fall of 2019 is probably the earliest they'll be in the new building.

They should play their next home playoff game in the Saddledome, but the next time they play a Stanley Cup Finals game might not be until they're in the new building.

[Atodaso]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I trade it all in for the mystery box.

An arena is an arena but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be an arena! You know how we've always wanted one of those!

[Schraderbrau]

Contender in 5 years, new arena in 7 or 8 or never....

[Roughneck]

Back to back Stanley Cups in two different arenas, a perfect send-off for the Dome and a perfect start to the 'Cenovus Centre' or whatever it will be.

Dream big I always say.

[Joborule]

They'll be a contender by the time the arena is completed, so the latter.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Back to back Stanley Cups in two different arenas, a perfect send-off for the Dome and a perfect start to the 'Cenovus Centre' or whatever it will be.

Dream big I always say.

So, two and three more years respectively? I like it!

[CalgaryFan1988]

I know one thing, the answer for the Flames is a lot harder than it is for the Oilers.

[krynski]

I need the parameters defined. What exactly do you mean as a "contender"?

[Robbob]

to me a contender is a team that at the onset of the season is predicted, without fail, to make he playoffs.

I think the flames are a couple years out from a playoff appearance, which is a couple years short of them being contenders. That is is everything goes right.

it will be close if something gets announced soon. If not I think the team will be rebuilt before any arena.

[Vulcan]

I don't see a new arena happening any time soon. Nothing has been done that has gotten out of the fantasy stage while trying to prepare the public to be ready to kick in some tax money. I'd think we should be contending for the playoffs in three or four years, so that will be first.

[albertGQ]

Aren't they going to announce the arena details on Monday? Or is that the Coyotes ownership announcement?