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

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

That's technically true, but let's admit it: they were expansion teams. The WHA clubs were stripped of most of their best players, then restocked with an expansion draft. It was even formally called an expansion draft. What's the purpose of an expansion draft, if not to stock expansion teams?

Although, to play Devil's Advocate, the Minnesota North Stars took part in the 1991 Expansion Draft.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

Although, to play Devil's Advocate, the Minnesota North Stars took part in the 1991 Expansion Draft.

Yes, because half their roster was taken away by an expansion team, the San Jose Sharks. If the four teams from the WHA merger were not expansion teams, then there were no expansion teams in 1979, so what the hell were they having an expansion draft for?

[FireGilbert]

The 79 and 91 teams were expansion with an * and aren't completely comparable.

The biggest decision an expansion team needs to make is GM. Get a good one and you can be in the playoffs in 4 years. Get a bad one and you are the Columbus Blue Jackets.

[Strange Brew]

I expect we might see some different rules for the expansion draft this go round with a salary cap in place. Teams like the Flames have many veterans to expose but expansion teams aren't going to load up on other teams bad contracts. Maybe teams will have to expose a certain number of players still in RFA status. In other words, I would be more worried about losing a Ferland or Jooris than Raymond, Stajan etc.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

Although, to play Devil's Advocate, the Minnesota North Stars took part in the 1991 Expansion Draft.

1991 was actually an expansion and dispersal draft. The Sharks were a de-merger of the Cleveland Barons, so they drafted half of Minnesota's roster, then both the North Stars and Sharks filled the other half of their rosters from the rest of the league.

[troutman]

NHL expansion: Why Canada is always the last draft choice

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle25666886/

[Finger Cookin]

That is one bitter article.

[sureLoss]

Bettman told the Boston Globe that Quebec City in the Western Conference is being considered:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...1BM/story.html

[codynw]

I'm sure fans will be thrilled to see them play the Habs twice a year, with basically zero chance of a playoff series between them.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by codynw

I'm sure fans will be thrilled to see them play the Habs twice a year, with basically zero chance of a playoff series between them.

I'm sure it would be temporary (until a city like Seattle got it together).

And I'm pretty sure they would accept entry into the NHL, regardless of division/conference

[Tyler]

Yeah, I don't recall people in Winnipeg being too upset about being in the East that first year

[getbak]

That would be silly. A Central Division that stretched from Colorado to Quebec City would be ridiculous.

If it comes to that, they should just buy off the Blue Jackets to convince them that life in the West wasn't so bad. Instead of every team getting $33.33 million from a billion dollar expansion pot, have 29 teams take $33 million and give Columbus $43 million to return to the West, with a promise of a return to the East when the opportunity presents itself.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by getbak

That would be silly. A Central Division that stretched from Colorado to Quebec City would be ridiculous.

If it comes to that, they should just buy off the Blue Jackets to convince them that life in the West wasn't so bad. Instead of every team getting $33.33 million from a billion dollar expansion pot, have 29 teams take $33 million and give Columbus $43 million to return to the West, with a promise of a return to the East when the opportunity presents itself.

Seems reasonable to me. Which means won't happen.

[Enoch Root]

Columbus is a virtual lock to make the playoffs in the east this year, barring another round of massive injuries.

In the Central, no one is a lock - not even Chicago

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Seems reasonable to me. Which means won't happen.

You'd be asking teams in the division they would be moving to, to pay for the privilege of having to face what will likely be a pretty tough Blue Jackets team, no?

[greentree]

Quebec yes.
Vegas, probably.
Seattle, some think so. I say no way, not a big enough appetite there.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

1991 was actually an expansion and dispersal draft. The Sharks were a de-merger of the Cleveland Barons, so they drafted half of Minnesota's roster, then both the North Stars and Sharks filled the other half of their rosters from the rest of the league.

I always found it interesting that the Cleveland Barons team that was de - merged originated in the Bay area as the California Golden Seals. In a sense it was like the Bay area got its old team back.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

That is one bitter article.

Not inaccurate, though. Unfortunately.

[kn]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

That is one bitter article.

I can't find fault with it though. LV is a shoe in. I'd be shocked if Quebec is awarded a franchise. I'm sure the NHL will do everything it can to try and get Seattle back into the equation.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

In the previous expansion drafts, teams would give the expansion teams draft picks to not select players they couldn't protect.

Could be an interesting dynamic with the increasing importance of the draft to team building.

I'm not sure the NHL would allow those deals anymore either.