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

[SuperMatt18]

The Toronto one surprises me.

If I was rich I would have spend $2 million to be first in line when Toronto does get a second team.

[Finger Cookin]

"Big fish" is definitely a relative term in comparison to the free agent group of any given offseason, and all groups are certainly not created equal.

[Hatter]

If I were an NHL player I would have no issues signing in Quebec City. It's a beautiful city!

My first choice would be to stay in Alberta and close to my family, but barring that any Canadian team would be my second choice.

[Vulcan]

starts at about 16 minutes in

Stephen Brunt tells Boomer & Pinder the financial reality of purchasing an NHL franchise has scared off plenty of potential suitors, and that the concept of a second team in the Toronto area comes with far more complications than people may think.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/

[Phil Russell]

You can put me firmly in the "there are far more important factors than location in determining the desirability to play in an NHL city" camp. Yes, we are talking in generalities, but too many factors trump location to claim that X city will not be a success because of its size, or climate, or language spoken etc. You can't claim, for example, that no one wants to play in Buffalo because it is a crap hole (which I would mostly disagree with), and then turn around and explain that many are happy to go to Detroit despite the fact that it is a crap hole (which I would mostly agree with). Too many factors trump location issues.

It is my experience that many (not all but many) who speak most negatively about a particular place have no direct experience with that place. And that many (not all but many), have an overinflated opinion about the desirability of their own city.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Phil Russell

You can put me firmly in the "there are far more important factors than location in determining the desirability to play in an NHL city" camp. Yes, we are talking in generalities, but too many factors trump location to claim that X city will not be a success because of its size, or climate, or language spoken etc. You can't claim, for example, that no one wants to play in Buffalo because it is a crap hole (which I would mostly disagree with), and then turn around and explain that many are happy to go to Detroit despite the fact that it is a crap hole (which I would mostly agree with). Too many factors trump location issues.

It is my experience that many (not all but many) who speak most negatively about a particular place have no direct experience with that place. And that many (not all but many), have an overinflated opinion about the desirability of their own city.

True. Except for Edmonton

[Finger Cookin]

Very few people (if any?) have said location is the barrier that QC has. The barriers are tax rates and language. The language barrier being more significant than not to players with families.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Very few people (if any?) have said location is the barrier that QC has. The barriers are tax rates and language. The language barrier being more significant than not to players with families.

and population.

small population usually means less of a playground for young millionaires.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't think language will be that big of a barrier. It's pretty easy to get by in Quebec City with English. It's also really easy these days get English media, television, radio, etc...

It might be a factor for some, but the world isn't like what it was before the information age. Language barriers are much less of an issue IMO.

Also as mentioned, during the season they are on the road as much as they are at home anyway, and most players live in the offseason wherever the want.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

When Edmonton is grabbing the big 'prize' on D (Sekera), you know that location is not much of an issue.

On what planet is Sekera a big fish? He was one of the better players in a bad lot and a guy that's pretty wel almost as good (Franzen) is still unsigned because teams are weary of their two guys.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

On what planet is Sekera a big fish? He was one of the better players in a bad lot and a guy that's pretty wel almost as good (Franzen) is still unsigned because teams are weary of their two guys.

That's the point. He's not, yet was considered by many as the top D-man available as a UFA

[Reaper]

At the end of the day I think alignment will shake itself out like this:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Quebec Nordiques - replacing Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs

Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Las Vegas Blackjack - Expansion Team
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Pilots - Formerly Florida Panthers
Vancouver Canucks

Central Division
Arizona Coyotes - From the Pacific Division (later to become the Kansas City Scouts)
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets

[Jets4Life]

If no teams relocate by 2017, I think the NHL will go ahead an award franchises to Quebec and Las Vegas, with Columbus moving back to the West (Detroit has too much pull, and will refuse to move back).

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by polak

and population.

small population usually means less of a playground for young millionaires.

Except for the following equation:

1 French girl > 1,000 ordinary citizens

[Itse]

Many millionaires and celebrities specifically choose to live in smaller communities to avoid unnecessary attention and gold diggers of various sorts.

Not all hockey players are that "fun loving", and not all hockey wives are the same. The stereotypes some people are throwing in this thread are pretty ridiculous.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Reaper

At the end of the day I think alignment will shake itself out like this:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Quebec Nordiques - replacing Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs

Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Las Vegas Blackjack - Expansion Team
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Pilots - Formerly Florida Panthers
Vancouver Canucks

Central Division
Arizona Coyotes - From the Pacific Division (later to become the Kansas City Scouts)
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets

Word is that LV's potential owner, a Westpoint graduate, wants his team to be the Black Knights. Also the most common name I've heard for Seattle is Metropolitans.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

Word is that LV's potential owner, a Westpoint graduate, wants his team to be the Black Knights. Also the most common name I've heard for Seattle is Metropolitans.

And once we build a healthy rivalry with them, we'll start nicknaming them the metrosexuals.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by _Q_

And once we build a healthy rivalry with them, we'll start nicknaming them the metrosexuals.

Beware the CP overly politically correct crowd though

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by _Q_

And once we build a healthy rivalry with them, we'll start nicknaming them the metrosexuals.

Isn't that name already taken by a NHL division?

[polak]

Originally Posted by _Q_

And once we build a healthy rivalry with them, we'll start nicknaming them the metrosexuals.

omg give it a day and the entire PC world will coming crashing down on you.

I can already hear Corsi coming to yell at you for suggesting this insult.

If they whine about calling Cory Perry, "Katy" Perry, no way they don't have a fit over "Metrosexuals"