Rumor Owners meeting today to approve expansion to 34 teams

[heep223]

I didn’t think of that really. So just by the very nature of hockey being the fourth sport, actually probably even lower, it’s inherently already watered down talent-wise, therefore it should actually have less “baseline” teams than the others.

A counter argument to this is that only 30% of nhlers are American. The vast majority of the 70% comes from countries where hockey is the first sport.

[PaperBagger'14]

Can’t wait to see Atlanta relocate to Arizona in 10 years

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What happened to Arizona?

Doubt they ever some back. The previous owner would have to give up the dump truck full of money they gave him before he can get a team back.

[Goriders]

Huberdeau on the expansion draft block?

[stemit14]

Could the timing be bad for a young team that’s (hopefully) starting the upswing of a rebuild in 2027? Assuming that’s the earliest an expansion draft could happen.

I think it’s usually the competitive teams that are more hurt by an expansion draft as they have more good players… but it could hurt the flames if they are forced to protect players with NMCs (Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar) while exposing players that are being drafted right now.

[Toonage]

If things remain as they are, pretty sure Huberdeau would waive

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Atlanta is where new NHL teams grow up and move out.

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What happened to Arizona?

Arizona is the "living in the parents' basement until their early 30s" version.

[dissentowner]

More proof Gary Bettman is well past his expiration date.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by All In Good Time

Not that I agree or disagree with expansion but 34 is an awkward number.
36 (6 divisions of 6), 40 (8 divisions of 5) is more balanced. This is just the beginning

The NHL is trying to win the race to get to 42 franchises thus proving that hockey is the answer to life, the universe and everything.

[Toonage]

Re: Arizona
Previous owner walked away, any potential new owner will need an arena first. Bettman & Daly have already mentioned that I believe. Houston has an arena and Atlanta is in the process of building one, but I assume could play in their old place until then?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

More proof Gary Bettman is well past his expiration date.

/s?

[Ashes]

No mention of when the timeline would be for these latest expansion teams but hopefully it's far enough out for the Flames to get their top picks during the rebuild without adding more competitors to the top of the inverted standings. Aren't expansion teams guaranteed a top-5 pick?

[Reggie Dunlop]

I see Houston as being a success along the lines of Seattle and Vegas. They will be first with a facility already in place. They were likely approached by the league to take on the Coyotes if Utah couldn't.

Atlanta would be further down the road.

[Geeoff]

Personally, I find the expansion draft fun. Will be up to Craig Conroy to see how this can benefit the Flames relative to the rest of the league

[Calgary4LIfe]

Not surprised. I think if the NHL wants to really gain a bigger market share of North American sports, they are going to have to put more franchises in these bigger markets and have better coverage.



I actually think Bettman is also on his game, depending on how much input he has into these decisions (I never once thought he was to blame - doubt he is making all the decisions on his own). I think the NHL (Bettman included) has learned a lot from past expansions. Expansion teams are set up so that they can hit the ground running in terms of success. It is soooo damn annoying for us fans of teams like Calgary that haven't had success in a while, and who supported their teams through the lean years, but that's what it takes to ensure that these franchises stay economically viable from the start. People will pay for the novelty, but the novelty wears off, and nobody in a new market is going to support a loser. If a new franchise is successful long enough, then they are in a better situation to remain afloat during the lean years. I hate it, but I can't argue with it.


I also think that the NHL is much better at vetting new owners now. I think it is going to be tough to own an NHL team now if you aren't already an owner of another professional sports franchise (or former owner), and have a building in place (or building one - not just 'hoping' to build one). I think it will work out in Atlanta this time around. That's a huge market.


I assume 3 or so years after this one, there will be another round of expansion. I assume that's when the NHL goes back to Arizona.


As for the watered down comments - I disagree. I think the talent pool is so big that older players are being pushed out of the league faster even though sports science and nutrition has taken huge steps forward, and though it isn't perfect, there are a lot less huge 'dirty hits' and fighting. The USA (unfortunately and in particular) have been producing a lot more talent than before, and I do think that they will soon out-produce Canada in professional players (that's the unfortunate part). I think more European nations are producing more talent as well. I really don't think it is going to be watered down with a round of expansion soon, and another 2 teams in a few years after that.


Unfortunately, as a Flames fan, it sucks. 2-4 more teams to have to fight against for a playoff spot and a championship, plus 2-4 good players being picked-off the roster.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

More proof Gary Bettman is well past his expiration date.

By what measure? Expansion has been wildly successful for the league and franchise values are at an all time high.
How is he failing?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Watered down product gets more Water.

I don't agree - there are far more people playing hockey around the world than 20-30 years ago.

This does make it harder to get the the Finals though.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

By what measure? Expansion has been wildly successful for the league and franchise values are at an all time high.
How is he failing?

Nothing is widely successful for the league compared to the other three big NA sports. Now he wants to expand back into a market that has failed twice. Meanwhile he ignores a Canadian market with an NHL ready building because it is in Canada. We just saw one of the largest US tv markets lose their franchise to Utah of all places. How anyone can think the NHL has been wildly successful in the second half of Bettman's tenure is unfathomable to me.

[Flames1217]

I'm all for expansion.

I think that hockey would actually be more enjoyable if the talent was spread out more. The superstars would really stick out and be heads and shoulders above everyone else. Also, having more markets will only help go further expand the sport on a whole.

I would even like to see hypothetically speaking a 40 team league (if possible). Expansion fees are nuts and eventually you may be watering down profits also.

[topfiverecords]

We should have an 83 team league and play everyone once.