Second NHL team in Ontario could present problems

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Not sure about the Ducks.

The Kings received half of the Ducks $50M expansion fee. Then Kings owner, Bruce McNall, was the chairman of the board of governors at the time.

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

That's where the Nordiques fans came from - younger fans tired of hearing about Montreal. And the Habs actually were a team that had multiple Cups in their recent history when the Nordiques joined the league.

It also helps that Quebec City is over 250km away from Montreal (Ottawa is actually closer to Montreal than Quebec City is).

[Samuelsson]

Don't see it being a problem, the NHL can't put a team wherever it likes.

The fanbase wouldn't be an issue, either. As long as the new team doesn't start all 'Winnipeg' and takes a decade to get outta the blocks, they'll sell tickets. As someone else said, the younger fans would be a target, as I'd imagine it could be quite 'hip' to support someone unorthodox and different.

[Daradon]

As was mentioned by others, cup or no cup for the Leafs (and I know which one I'm betting on) there'd still probably be a lot of fans willing to take on the new team.

Younger fans for one, fans disgruntled with the expense of Leafs games for two, and fans in the TO area, who dislike the Leafs for some hockey rivalry reason, who don't have an official team yet, or can be easily swayed from their current team because they don't get to see them live.

Gary is just playing it safe with MLSE right now, and that's not wrong.

[starseed]

I find that there are a lot of people in the surrounding cities who don't have a passion for hockey at all. Many people (especially recent immigrants) just casually follow hockey, but go crazy whenever soccer is on. The new team should be able to do a better job at targeting those fans by actually offering them the chance to get tickets.

I had to organize a company leafs ticket raffle, but it was for the privilege of paying a ridiculous amount for mediocre seats. That is pretty much the only way to get tickets since nearly all seats are season ticket holder seats.

[tfi racing]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Wouldn't that be the third team in Ontario?

I thought Ottawa was owned and enslaved by Quebec...

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

Im one who does not want to see another team in T.O, it is bad enough I have to spend 10 minutes everyday watching Leaf garbage. Add a second team the Flames would be a footnote in the national sports news. There is too much attention on Toronto hockey as it is, I have no interest in more.

I agree. I hate the thought of the Toronto area getting another team which will push further attention to the region by the national sports media. I'd rather Quebec, Seattle or Salt Lake get a team.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by getbak

It also helps that Quebec City is over 250km away from Montreal (Ottawa is actually closer to Montreal than Quebec City is).

And not to mention that a lot of people (maybe most hockey fans) in Quebec City do not like the Habs. It's not a Canadiens market.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

You wouldn't put a second team in Detroit because they'd get 500 people a night and go bankrupt. Wings tickets are so easy to come by now and cheap.

Tickets for the Pistons and Tigers are easy too, I do not know about the Lions.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I wonder how it would affect the Flames if they put a 2nd NHL team in Alberta?

[SebC]

Someone should tell this to the LA Clippers.

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Where there's smoke there's fire. Wouldn't be surprised to see a second team in Toronto in the next few years. Such a lucrative market.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Headshot

No, one. The Leafs are an AHL team.

Why did you use green text?

[Jets4Life]

I may be wrong, but the Senators have been quite successful for the last 20 years, even though they started off slow....