Rumor Owners meeting today to approve expansion to 34 teams

[PepsiFree]

I don’t know how many more Russians are going to enter the league than what’s already here in terms of yearly quantity. There were more Russians in the league 20 years ago than today. The introduction of the KHL saw the majority of them leave to play there but that has normalized and it’s mostly a choice between the AHL and the KHL now.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I don’t know how many more Russians are going to enter the league than what’s already here in terms of yearly quantity. There were more Russians in the league 20 years ago than today. The introduction of the KHL saw the majority of them leave to play there but that has normalized and it’s mostly a choice between the AHL and the KHL now.

There was an initial surge, when the Soviet Union failed, but that faded and, like I said, the number dropped substantially for a while. It only started rising significantly again fairly recently.

[Enoch Root]

Canada, US, Sweden and Finland have been mature markets for some time. But if you look at Russia, Czechia and Slovakia, there are now 109 players in the NHL from those 3 countries - that's more than 4 full rosters. And the numbers are growing.

And then there are over 40 players from fringe countries, which is almost 2 full rosters. Those countries were one-offs until fairly recently.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by browna

They dodged a Quebec bullet. Limited market with not alot of expansion-ability within the market.

Winnipeg with the combination with their small rink and issues with selling out, aren't out of the financial woods by any means either in the years ahead.

Yeah, I agree with the Quebec City market likely not being successful. I spent about half a year out there 4 days of the week and stayed over the weekend a handful of times due to client work and while it's a pretty city and has a nice small town feel to it with excellent food, I'm not sure it would be able to sustain an NHL team. The point someone else made about the lack of corporations able to buy luxury seats is a good one. Other than the government and iA being headquartered there, I'm unaware of any other organizations with the capital available to invest in that.

As for Bettman, I agree with Jiri, strictly from a business standpoint, I haven't seen any actual data behind why he's been bad and in fact, the metrics would indicate he's been very good for the owners and has been executing on his objectives given to him from the owners. I get that a lot of fans don't like him, but from everything I've seen, he's been very successful and is very good at what he does. I'm a fan of his as IMO, he's one of the reasons we still have the Calgary Flames.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

There was an initial surge, when the Soviet Union failed, but that faded and, like I said, the number dropped substantially for a while. It only started rising significantly again fairly recently.

Yeah, it dropped around the introduction of the KHL, which had a longer term effect because it introduced the idea of drafted guys staying in or leaving for Russia.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it drops again as Russia’s current political situation makes scouting and drafting Russian players pretty difficult.

[D as in David]

Growth could come from more U.S. players in the league.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Growth could come from more U.S. players in the league.

I propose we re-locate the Edmonton Oilers to Rio de Janeiro, really make a push to include South America in the game.

They could make the Giant Jesus sing the National Anthem...and thats a jaunty tune I might add, the Brazilians like a song you can dance to!

The Tax Laws are fairly lax and the beaches cant be beat, an the best part? Once Brazil does something, most of the rest of South America tries to catch up!

You could have teams in La Paz, Bogota, Montevideo and Buenos Aires! Look at the number of people who live there!

And the businesses! They love their corruption. The NHL and the Referees would love it down there! Really turn it into a Circus!

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Yeah, it dropped around the introduction of the KHL, which had a longer term effect because it introduced the idea of drafted guys staying in or leaving for Russia.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it drops again as Russia’s current political situation makes scouting and drafting Russian players pretty difficult.

The Russian government might be more agreeable to letting the elite hockey players who can send home Western currency and sire like 20 kids with the all the 18 year olds. Could be the opposite where the Russians want NHL teams to use more players to ultimately get them more soldiers.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Locke

I propose we re-locate the Edmonton Oilers to Rio de Janeiro, really make a push to include South America in the game.

They could make the Giant Jesus sing the National Anthem...and thats a jaunty tune I might add, the Brazilians like a song you can dance to!

The Tax Laws are fairly lax and the beaches cant be beat, an the best part? Once Brazil does something, most of the rest of South America tries to catch up!

You could have teams in La Paz, Bogota, Montevideo and Buenos Aires! Look at the number of people who live there!

And the businesses! They love their corruption. The NHL and the Referees would love it down there! Really turn it into a Circus!

Nah, send them to Medellin Colombia. Katz and Narco terrorists operate with similar moral code

[YyjFlames]

Either Canadians are getting worse at hockey (we're not) or the quality of hockey is getting better everywhere, as Canadians make up a smaller and smaller percentage of NHL players.

https://soundofhockey.com/2024/01/04...s-nhl-players/

There are just more talented hockey players coming from many more places. The NHL can handle a few more teams for sure.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Growth could come from more U.S. players in the league.

Yup, given the majority of teams are in the US, if more of the league's superstars were American, more Americans would watch given their nationalistic pride. Problem with achieving that is Canadians are just better - period!!

Tongue in cheek as obviously, when you look at the data Americans have been quickly catching up over the years.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Nah, send them to Medellin Colombia. Katz and Narco terrorists operate with similar moral code

What year is it? Are we in the 80s/early 90s? It's been a long time since Medellin was the hub for the drug trade!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by activeStick

What year is it? Are we in the 80s/early 90s? It's been a long time since Medellin was the hub for the drug trade!

Yeah, Pablo's not around anymore.

Or...is he...??

No, I saw the photos. That'd be hard to fake and I've seen a photoshop or two in my time...granted not a 'shop from 1993 mind you...

[Lanny_McDonald]

I think the NHL should target 36 teams. That provides balance and good geographical representation to build rivalries. The next teams in should be Houston, Portland, Phoenix, and Kansas City. No to Atlanta and no to Quebec City.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I think the NHL should target 36 teams. That provides balance and good geographical representation to build rivalries. The next teams in should be Houston, Portland, Phoenix, and Kansas City. No to Atlanta and no to Quebec City.

Come on! A Division with Rio, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asuncion and Paramaribo?

We could have 'The Battle if the Guays! Today we determine which is Guayest! Shall it Paraguay or Uruguay! Today....we find out!!!"

And then you run like a Monster Truck ad and that just sells itself.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I think the NHL should target 36 teams. That provides balance and good geographical representation to build rivalries. The next teams in should be Houston, Portland, Phoenix, and Kansas City. No to Atlanta and no to Quebec City.

I'm sure that will come next. But expansion will never stop completely.

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

Either Canadians are getting worse at hockey (we're not) or the quality of hockey is getting better everywhere, as Canadians make up a smaller and smaller percentage of NHL players.

https://soundofhockey.com/2024/01/04...s-nhl-players/

There are just more talented hockey players coming from many more places. The NHL can handle a few more teams for sure.

Bit of everything. Increase in soccer and basketball uptake in this country as well is siphoning kids who may have just been playing hockey 20 years ago into their feeder systems

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Bit of everything. Increase in soccer and basketball uptake in this country as well is siphoning kids who may have just been playing hockey 20 years ago into their feeder systems

I think an important element is one that we dont often look at.

Hockey is a hugely expensive sport.

And the cost of living is going nowhere but up.

Maybe parents are looking at less expensive options?

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I think the NHL should target 36 teams. That provides balance and good geographical representation to build rivalries. The next teams in should be Houston, Portland, Phoenix, and Kansas City. No to Atlanta and no to Quebec City.

Wait, Phoenix??? I think that ship has sailed and won't return for quite some time after the debacle of the Coyotes.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

Either Canadians are getting worse at hockey (we're not) or the quality of hockey is getting better everywhere, as Canadians make up a smaller and smaller percentage of NHL players.

https://soundofhockey.com/2024/01/04...s-nhl-players/

There are just more talented hockey players coming from many more places. The NHL can handle a few more teams for sure.

Would the declining enrollments in minor hockey indicate that Canada isn't producing as many top hockey players?