NHL to formally start expansion process (only LV and QC submit applications)

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by fleury

Not to be rude, but is there any way to remove this? It's a tad bothersome to read it each time.

I wish I knew how. I'm kind of new at this. Hey, I just found this little check box hiding behind my onscreen keyboard and unchecked it. Cool!

[Vulcan]

I guess Seattle had their eyes on the NBAs Milwaukee Bucks but they just came to a new arena agreement to stay in Milwaukee. Seattle looks to be not ready to go for only a NHL franchise while the city has become a useful NBA relocation threat for cities wanting a new arena.

[Simanium]

I wonder who the Flames would expect to lose in the expansion draft.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Simanium

I wonder who the Flames would expect to lose in the expansion draft.

It will be interesting to see what player protection rules are put in place this time. A lot has changed since the last time there was expansion. The free agent market isn't as robust and contracts tend to be structured a lot differently now.

I think the league is going to force teams to expose players that they would prefer not to. It won't just be the worst contracts, but some younger and cheaper players will have to be left unprotected.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It will be interesting to see what player protection rules are put in place this time. A lot has changed since the last time there was expansion. The free agent market isn't as robust and contracts tend to be structured a lot differently now.

I think the league is going to force teams to expose players that they would prefer not to. It won't just be the worst contracts, but some younger and cheaper players will have to be left unprotected.

There wasn't a cap in place last team either. So cap/floor considerations will need to be factored in too, I would think.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Too bad about Seattle. I guess we're only getting one team for now, unless some other unlikely western market unexpectedly steps up.

I cant imagine the League being thrilled about an odd number of teams.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Locke

I cant imagine the League being thrilled about an odd number of teams.

Hard to say. They ran with 21 teams for years.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Locke

I cant imagine the League being thrilled about an odd number of teams.

I don't think LV is alone in this. QC started building an arena with the NHLs consent. They have been waiting a long time for this opportunity, and I'm quite sure the idea of 2 expansion teams is more appealing than one. Moreso, it's quite obvious the NHL was aiming to be a 32 team league when they went back to a divisional playoff alignment.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

I don't think LV is alone in this. QC started building an arena with the NHLs consent. They have been waiting a long time for this opportunity, and I'm quite sure the idea of 2 expansion teams is more appealing than one. Moreso, it's quite obvious the NHL was aiming to be a 32 team league when they went back to a divisional playoff alignment.

Very true but QC would be in the East. The League wants 2 more teams and they both have to be Western or someone in the East gets screwed by being re-allocated to the West. And it will not be the Blue Jackets or Red Wings.

[JohnnySkittles]

So Seattle looks like it won't be making a bid, correct?

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Locke

Very true but QC would be in the East. The League wants 2 more teams and they both have to be Western or someone in the East gets screwed by being re-allocated to the West. And it will not be the Blue Jackets or Red Wings.

Relocation is always possible.

Shame we can't bring the leafs back! Lol.

[PepsiFree]

If Quebec got an expansion, could they relocate Florida to Seattle in the future to balance and have unbalance conferences for now?
Would they?

[Hockey Fan #751]

As of right now there's two more teams in the East than there is in the West. If you added another team to each conference, that wouldn't change so what's the big deal? Clearly if the NHL set it up this way they'd be fine with it moving forward.

It would make more sense to give Quebec a team than a Western market that's unprepared for expansion.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Do Detroit and Columbus have agreements re: conference relegation? Or just assuming it'd be bad optics / a dick move to push either back to the west after recently being moved?

Although the east west numbers disparity may exist today I doubt the league adds a team to each conference and maintains that.. 16/16 has to be the endgame, no?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Do Detroit and Columbus have agreements re: conference relegation? Or just assuming it'd be bad optics / a dick move to push either back to the west after recently being moved?

Although the east west numbers disparity may exist today I doubt the league adds a team to each conference and maintains that.. 16/16 has to be the endgame, no?

or they add 4 teams and go 17-17

Add Kansas City, Las Vegas, Toronto #2 and Quebec City. Put the new Toronto team in the west so they don't have to compete directly with the Leafs.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

or they add 4 teams and go 17-17

Maybe they add 6 teams and go 18-18

Missed your edit, thought you were being sarcastic haha


If we're putting a toronto team in the west, I think the leafs are the best choice, based on public reaction alone (aaaand it'd probably ensure another 40+ years for "the Great Depression")

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Maybe they add 6 teams and go 18-18

Missed your edit, thought you were being sarcastic haha

the NHL is looking at 500+ million per expansion club, I just don't think they will turn down a billion dollars in expansion fees by going with 2 instead of 4 if there are good bids in place from 4 cities. I wouldn't even be shocked if the NHL's goal is to expand to 36 teams eventually.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

No doubt, initially I remember a lot of speculation of 3-4 teams being added short term. Can't see owners ($$$$) or the PA (secures employment for more players) pushing back

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

No doubt, initially I remember a lot of speculation of 3-4 teams being added short term. Can't see owners ($$$$) or the PA (secures employment for more players) pushing back

Personally I'd love to see Seattle, Portland, Houston, Milwaukee, Toronto #2 and Quebec City eventually get teams. I'm not a fan of Vegas or Kansas getting teams, but I suspect Vegas i a shoe in and KC would be as well if they bid with a competent ownership group. I think Milwaukee, Houston & Portland at this point in time are pipe dreams.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Aren't the Winterhawks one the most profitable teams in the dub? Betting they'd strongly oppose splitting seats / forcing those on a budget to choose between the two. Not sure how affluent or large the surrounding area is as far as population goes.


Seattle, Vegas, Houston and Quebec would be really cool imo