NHL Expansion: The Toronto Legacy Aces

[Reggie Dunlop]

This is making the rounds again.

Previous iteration had them as the Toronto Legacy. "Aces" is a new twist.

According to Dunn, Lopez said they've yet to discuss the plan with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman or anyone from the City of Toronto.

He said their plan is to submit a proposal to the city next week, but they intend to go ahead with the real estate development as long as it's approved by the NHL.

If all goes as planned, according to Dunn, the new team would launch in 2021 and play their first three seasons in Hamilton while the new arena is under construction.

Same huckster from 2009. Back then he trotted out Herb Carnegie, which is admirable I guess, but the bid itself was a joke.

GTA could certainly host another team but I think it's unlikely.

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2..._MurcotUzoseUU

[N-E-B]

The Leafs roots are so deep in Toronto that I just can’t see a second team ever working there regardless of population.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Personally, I'd like to see the resurrection of the Toronto Toros name, which would honour the city's rich Mexican heritage.

[FireGilbert]

A 2nd Toronto team would be great. It seems like simple economics to me. There is a huge demand for NHL hockey in the area so double the supply. If the NYC area can have 3 teams and SoCal can have 2 surely Toronto can have 2. Also you would instantly create one of the league’s best rivalries.

I can’t not see it being a success. Obviously you’d need to pay a massive fee to the Leafs but fans would be easy to come by. Set up shop further out of the city and market hard at the suburban youth and new arrivals. You have the built in support of Leafs fans who can’t get tickets plus the benefits of something new and exciting in a hockey crazy city.

That bid is a joke. If actually serious you’d need to wait for another expansion or try the Jets model. That is build an arena for events and minor league hockey while also building a relationship with Bettman and the owners. Then when a team needs to be relocated you are on top of the list.

[Reggie Dunlop]

"Legacy Aces" sounds like the name of a cobbled-together alumni team.

[Flames1217]

It would be better if the team stayed in Hamilton to be honest.

City is big enough to support a team.

[badger89]

The GTA could support 4 teams easily. Get another one in there already. They could have two teams play out of the Scotia Bank Centre (like the Kings and Clippers do in LA) and they'd both sell out every game.

[madmike]

It’s kind of ridiculous that a hockey-crazy area like the GTA with more than 6 million people has only one team. It makes tickets for that one team obscenely expensive. Politically speaking though it would be next to impossible to get another team into the GTA. Both the Leafs and Buffalo would be up in arms.

[Geeoff]

RIP Senators

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

It would be better if the team stayed in Hamilton to be honest.

City is big enough to support a team.

That would probably be fought by the Sabres and I'm skeptical of that market in general. Another team in Toronto would be better IMO as long as they give them a better name than the Legacy Aces which is terrible. They would never be as popular as the Leafs just as the Clippers will never be as popular as the Lakers but they could be successful and I would imagine the arena would be less of a library atmosphere compared to Scotiabank Arena.

[loob job]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

It would be better if the team stayed in Hamilton to be honest.

City is big enough to support a team.

I live in Hamilton, the City can't even support a junior team, there's no corporate sponsorship here, arena is run down and would have to be rebuilt, the city council is a joke they can't make up their mind on the smallest issues. Hamilton will never have a team.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Hamilton 100% cannot support an NHL team. That would be a terrible location

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Hamilton 100% cannot support an NHL team. That would be a terrible location

Agreed. Now London is another kettle of fish although Budweiser Gardens would need an upgrade.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

A 2nd Toronto team would be great. It seems like simple economics to me. There is a huge demand for NHL hockey in the area so double the supply

That is the question though. Is there a huge demand for NHL hockey, or for Toronto Maple Leafs hockey?


I'd be more inclined to lean toward the latter.

[Locke]

Its an interesting idea, but a terrible name.

I'm kind of looking at the recent MLS run of LAFC, having an new team of upstarts upsetting the established order was a great story this season.

Is it sustainable in Toronto though? I doubt it.

[Bleeding Red]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

The Leafs roots are so deep in Toronto that I just can’t see a second team ever working there regardless of population.

Exactly. We are into the fifth generation of fans now. I know a family that has had season tickets since the '40's. Other TO teams moan about the Leafs effect - Leafs get 100% sellouts whether they win or lose. The others lose 25-50% of their ticket base when not winning. Laff fans are tried and true - all others are on the bandwagon when winning. (Raptors are winning now. Wait until the losses pile up in a year or two.)



Any second GTA team would simply be a method for fans of other teams to see their team live without having to pay $500 a ticket. Any new team would max out at $250 for premium seats, I would think.



NYC has 3 teams, but I don't know if you'd call a half empty Devils arena support.



Also, the area they are looking at for the arena is fairly built up already with a couple of condos and tower being less than 5 years old.

$1 billion for the franchise.
$1 billion for the arena.
Pay outs to TML & Buf for rights.



I don;t know if you can make money with a second team here.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

RIP Senators

Nah - wrong direction. Ottawa is closer to Montreal.

I think a western metro Toronto team based out of, say, Mississauga, would do well.

Frankly the best plan would be two Toronto teams out of the same arena, but that ain't gonna happen.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Agreed. Now London is another kettle of fish although Budweiser Gardens would need an upgrade.

After what they just did to the roads around there, their only hope of NHL sized traffic and parking is Old East at this point

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Oh good, a second Toronto team.

I was worried that I might someday hear about the Flames on a national sports media broadcast ever again. No worry of that now.

It would also be handy to have somebody mop up any remaining Saturday night broadcasts when the Leafs aren't playing.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Oh good, a second Toronto team.

I was worried that I might someday hear about the Flames on a national sports media broadcast ever again. No worry of that now.

It would also be handy to have somebody mop up any remaining Saturday night broadcasts when the Leafs aren't playing.

Don't worry. This is never going to happen.

People don't get to own NHL expansion teams by just declaring themselves an owner of an NHL expansion team.