McKenzie NHL Expansion targets: #1 Seattle and #2 Las Vegas

[nickerjones]

Excuse me if I'm wrong, I thought there was some obscure thing saying if a pro team was in Vegas they couldn't bet on the team or that league... something like that?

Is this true? On a side note.. Has anyone ever went to play hockey in Vegas? how was it?

[Ice]

The past few years Vegas hasn't been able to sell out Frozen Fury at the MGM Garden Arena. There is very little interest in hockey there. I think it would be a terrible for an expansion franchise. Vegas doesn't have a lot of money. There's tourism money, but most of that city is full of people struggling to make it. I don't think they'd be able to get a season ticket base required to support a team.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

The NHL did have an odd number of teams from 1978 to 1991 so it's not like they wouldn't do it for that specific reason.

Also, I'm sure Toronto will have a second team at some point in the next 10 years.

There was also an odd number of teams in the league for the 1998-99 season.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

#### NHL, just get a team back in Quebec City.

After the "meh" that has become Winnipeg, the NHL going back to a small Canadian market is less fascinating to me.

I think Seattle would be good, Washington in general is really supportive of hockey.

Vegas? Total toss-up.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Seattle makes sense. Good hockey market there. Portland would be a better choice before Vegas, but there's more money in LV, so financially it's a better idea. The last sporting franchise in Las Vegas that I can remember was the CFL's Las Vegas Posse…and that was pathetic.

Portland, Oregon would be the best choice. Houston, Texas would be another good option.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Excuse me if I'm wrong, I thought there was some obscure thing saying if a pro team was in Vegas they couldn't bet on the team or that league... something like that?

Is this true? On a side note.. Has anyone ever went to play hockey in Vegas? how was it?

That used to be the law in Nevada. It screwed things up when UNLV had a top basketball team in the 90s and people couldn't bet on some games in the NCAA tournament. The law was changed sometime in the last 20 years, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore.

I think it only applied to amateur sports too: http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/31/sp...with-unlv.html

[nik-]

I gotta imagine that Vegas would immediately become the number one standings independent FA destination.

[doctajones428]

Seattle and Vegas expansion teams, move the Panthers/Blue Jackets/Coyotes to Quebec

[codynw]

Originally Posted by nik-

I gotta imagine that Vegas would immediately become the number one standings independent FA destination.

Seguin immediately requests a trade to Las Vegas after the expansion.

[djsFlames]

Las Vegas = baaaaaad idea.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Las Vegas = baaaaaad idea.

I agree. That would be a great name for the team.

[$ven27]

Seattle? Great. Seems like a good hockey spot for expansion from what I've heard. Vegas? Why? It'll most likely turn into the next Phoenix. Maybe Portland? They seem to support the winterhawks.

[Cheerio]

I imagine they will announce the expansion during this years cup finals and the teams are in the league by 2015-2016/2016-2017

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

You went to Vegas to watch the draft that was held in New Jersey?

So if you go to Vegas for a game will you just go to the pub and watch the Devils on TV?

Anything's possible. I might just stay in the hotel room, order room service, and watch the game that way.

[spuzzum]

Is Seattle big enough to support a NHL franchise if they also get a basketball team - main reason for building their new stadium. Similar to Vancouver, both cities couldn't originally support basketball. And Seattle has the Mariners and Seahawks that are huge franchises to support.

A trip to Vegas to watch hockey would be far better than flying to Phoenix, given the comparable weather. Although I do not see LV being an ideal venue for expansion, unless most of the revenue they generate is from gambling.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Is Seattle big enough to support a NHL franchise if they also get a basketball team - main reason for building their new stadium. Similar to Vancouver, both cities couldn't originally support basketball. And Seattle has the Mariners and Seahawks that are huge franchises to support.

A trip to Vegas to watch hockey would be far better than flying to Phoenix, given the comparable weather. Although I do not see LV being an ideal venue for expansion, unless most of the revenue they generate is from gambling.

Seattle is the 13th largest metropolitan area in the US. Houston and Atlanta are the only larger metro areas without an NHL team.

Half the teams in the league play in smaller markets than metro Seattle.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Is Seattle big enough to support a NHL franchise if they also get a basketball team - main reason for building their new stadium. Similar to Vancouver, both cities couldn't originally support basketball. And Seattle has the Mariners and Seahawks that are huge franchises to support.

A trip to Vegas to watch hockey would be far better than flying to Phoenix, given the comparable weather. Although I do not see LV being an ideal venue for expansion, unless most of the revenue they generate is from gambling.

You just know that the arena they're building will have slot machines in the concourse. Maybe even at the seats...

[Jacks]

Vegas could get Jagr to play until he's 50. They could pay him in Bellagio chips.

Seriously though, they could probably sell out the dates against Canadian clubs, California, Texas and big US hockey markets. They might have trouble selling tickets to a NJ game on a Tuesday. Actually most non-weekend games might be a struggle. If they have a decent arena deal then a team could be viable. It would be cool to fly down on a Friday and catch a Flames game though.

[カナダ人です]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Vegas has a population of ~500 000 with no major team to support. This is exactly why NHL wants to be the first one. You look at Florida/Phoenix they have plenty of other choices, Vegas folks don't. This is why I think it will work.

Last year they had 40 million tourists. Vegas will be a hit but make sure they start winning soon.

I could probably arrange a group of people overnight for a Flames game in vegas. Every fan base will do that with all other entertainment option available. 2 for 1 basically.

As we've (hopefully) learned in Phoenix, Lots of people =\= lots of hockey fans.

And it's hockey fans that pay to watch hockey...

[btimbit]

Seattle is a great idea. Vegas seems very dangerous. I'd say Portland, Houston or Kansas City would be a better bet. In Canada, I think we see a team in Quebec in the next 10 year. Hamilton or another Toronto team seems possible as well.