[Rumour] Four New Expansion Team by 2017

[Caged Great]

4 23 man rosters equates to 3 players per team. The likeliest guys that the Flames would lose are Jones, Stajan and Wideman in a scenario like this. We would have a large amount of exempt players. It's not really that big a deal.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Which players aren't finding contracts?

There are no quality hockey players without an NHL contract.

People don't watch hockey for players like Paul Bissonnette.

In fact, I'd argue the NHL already has too many players like that right now.

I was more thinking along the lines of players like Raymond not getting any contract offers so having to settle for a try-out with the Leafs after getting rejected by the Flames.

A year later, Raymond has a generous contract from the Flames. I'm sure you'd rather he signed in the KHL though so Baertchi could be gifted a spot.

Another point to bring up is that the influx of players into the NHL would reduce the amounts of teams needing to buy out contracts which I've never been a fan of.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I was more thinking along the lines of players like Raymond not getting any contract offers so having to settle for a try-out with the Leafs after getting rejected by the Flames.

A year later, Raymond has a generous contract from the Flames. I'm sure you'd rather he signed in the KHL though so Baertchi could be gifted a spot.

Another point to bring up is that the influx of players into the NHL would reduce the amounts of teams needing to buy out contracts which I've never been a fan of.

Nothing to do with anything, but good jab as usual from you.

Sorry you took my reply personally and decided your best response would be to troll.

And here I thought a forum was for discussion.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Oh and I just thought of this!

More teams = Less veterans on your team = More rookies on your team = Baertchi on the Flames full time this season.

[FanIn80]

Guys, it's Howard Bloom.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I really cannot believe how many people don't want new NHL franchises. Are you all really that selfish that you don't want this sport to grow?

With the amount of decent players unable to find contracts lately, I would welcome the idea of new franchises. If it means more talent will be staying in the league and not moving onto the KHL or unnecessarily buried in the AHL then why not?

There's a nice hard cap system in place to ensure teams balance out relatively quickly, so the growing pains wouldn't be too long.

Other than Daniel Alfredsson (who is probably going to retire) there are no good players without contracts.

edit: At least UFAs. There are some solid RFAs that haven't signed yet, but those will happen soon.

[Wammer]

@JKTHN: Hearing NHL "expansion" plan, if there is one, might be 2 new franchises, 2 relocated from East to West. 32 teams with 16/16 split.

[nik-]

Well they're not going to let Quebec and GTA2 come into the league without expansion fees, so who's going to be moving from the East to Seattle/Vegas? Florida would be one I'd suspect.

What happens with Phoenix?

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

4 23 man rosters equates to 3 players per team. The likeliest guys that the Flames would lose are Jones, Stajan and Wideman in a scenario like this. We would have a large amount of exempt players. It's not really that big a deal.

If we lost those 3 we would be about 10M under the cap floor.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Jacks

If we lost those 3 we would be about 10M under the cap floor.

Sure... if it was this year. By the time the 2016-2017 season starts we'll have had plenty of guys hopefully having earned significant raises. And hopefully we'll be starting to get more competative and attracting free agents again.

[troutman]

Howard Bloom ‏@SportsBizNews
NHL expansion report set to be published at @sportingnews #NHLExpansion

Heard a clip from Bloom on the radio - he was saying that since owners don't share expansion $ with the players in the new CBA, it is a no-brainer. $50 M for each franchise.

Players get 100 new jobs, and hockey revenues will increase.

CTV clip:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=426122

When asked if he had a reliable source he said "do the economics". Has to be pure conjecture.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Jacks

If we lost those 3 we would be about 10M under the cap floor.

I'm assuming the league would adjust the cap accordingly to accommodate the loss of depth. The cap floor at the very least. But yeah by the time an expansion rolls around the Flames will have a new team (or same team with larger contracts) and new expectations.

[gilligans_off]

I like the idea of growth in the league. More is better.

[IgiTang]

Imagine if the Panthers moved to Seattle? Do you think Luongo would quit hockey?

[Bandwagon In Flames]

nm

[Nehkara]

I really honestly think that the best thing to do for the NHL is to go to 32 teams and then stay there permanently. 32 makes it easy to work out the divisions.

Expansion: Las Vegas, Seattle.

Relocation: ? to Quebec City.


As an aside, mods can you slap a [RUMOUR] tag on this thread?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I really honestly think that the best thing to do for the NHL is to go to 32 teams and then stay there permanently. 32 makes it easy to work out the divisions.

Expansion: Las Vegas, Seattle.

Relocation: ? to Quebec City.


As an aside, mods can you slap a [RUMOUR] tag on this thread?

I'd probably move the Panthers to QC.

[calumniate]

Moving target on the canucks ever winning the cup! Hehe

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I'd probably move the Panthers to QC.

This was my first thought as well.

[DJones]

Just saw on bleacher report that the NHL is denying this so there you go.