1452 replies to this topic

[Shoreline]

Well, reading that Arizona Republic article (and thanks to evilmrt for posting these sources), it just seems like taxpayers don't see it as worth footing the bill. Maybe hockey in Arizona, particularly from a Coyotes standpoint, needing profit to survive, isn't feasible. At some point Gary Doucheman needs to give his head a shake (perhaps someone needs to hold him upside down in a toilet bowl and shake his head that way with a flush) and realize that perhaps a move to Hamilton might be FAR better in the franchise's interest, giving himself a gutcheck, than holding onto some ideal of having an organization in Arizona.

[MTU_Huskies963]

Bettman's greediness is going to ruin this league. Who's idea was it to have someone from the NBA come over to a sport that is completely different. He was not happy with hockey in the north so he took great franchises and moved them to the south. Thinking he could make more money. Gary is going to run this league into the ground, and we would never know it. We would wake up one day and we would hear an announcement. It's funny the similarities of Pro Sports and Communism

[utahfalconer]

Las Vegas? You'd have better luck with a Hockey Team in Salt Lake City, at least it snows there, and they have a pretty healthy AHL Hockey Team already.

[NGKEIB]

I live in Europe, have only been to a few NHL games (Flyers games, I've never been to Detroit, but support them because of all the Swedes), and can honestly say that I don't care where the Coyotes move to. I just think that if a team is costing the League millions, and now goes bankrupt, it should be moved to somewhere that can sustain it. I get the impression that Bettman is just being stupidly obstinate, and while I apologise to all Coyotes fans who want to see their team stay, I want to see it move just because I don't like Bettman and I want him to lose is war with Jim B.

[Mike]

Milwaukee or Seattle wouldn't be bad choices either.

[puckloo39]

Las Vegas? You'd have better luck with a Hockey Team in Salt Lake City, at least it snows there, and they have a pretty healthy AHL Hockey Team already.

I think hockey would do well in SLC. Not much nightlife for the players, so they would kind of have to tend to business. It's a lovely spot to live, and the residents love ice sports.

Guess Janet should have bet it all on Mine the Bird, huh?

[vangvace]

Las Vegas? You'd have better luck with a Hockey Team in Salt Lake City, at least it snows there, and they have a pretty healthy AHL Hockey Team already.

The Grizzles moved down to the ECHL in 2005. The salaries and travel expenses at the AHL level were sited as their reasons for the change. When I was living there (03-06) I don't recall seeing the E Center that full most games. Ironically, they were the farm club for Phoenix when the left the AHL.

Edit: that's not to say that a NHL franchise couldn't become the next Jazz though.

Edited by vangvace, 06 May 2009 - 09:00 PM.

[thedisappearer]

Bettman's greediness is going to ruin this league. Who's idea was it to have someone from the NBA come over to a sport that is completely different. He was not happy with hockey in the north so he took great franchises and moved them to the south. Thinking he could make more money. Gary is going to run this league into the ground, and we would never know it. We would wake up one day and we would hear an announcement. It's funny the similarities of Pro Sports and Communism

Bettman is not responsible for Winnipeg, Quebec City, or even Minnesota, moving south. If anything, blame capitalism. There wasn't money, or there was more money to be made elsewhere.

[CanadaBoy]

Copps Coliseum would make a great temporary arena to house an NHL team.

In terms of hockey it can seat more people then the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Mellon Arena, Sommet Center, Rexall Place, and Honda Center.

[ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

well..well find out how all this boils tomorrow..
i seriously hope it goes through..

i just thought of this...they could move to brantford..
and play at the wayne gretzky sports centre!
aha!

[Outsider]

Without having read through the thread.....

Gary Bettman is a scumbag.

He'll put a Team in Vegas....hell.....he'll even PUSH for a Team in Vegas.

But who the HELL will watch Hockey in Canada?

[ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

i think it would be nice to have another nhl team
buttman thinks differently though
"everything" has to be by the rules...

balsillie sure has got some "balls"
lol

[jollymania]

Milwaukee or Seattle wouldn't be bad choices either.

milawukee would bea horrible choice, these fat asses here only care about football and baseball occasionally

[webwing91]

With all due respect to all of you.... screw you. I do understand your position... but that doesn't mean I'm willing to let go of my second favorite team. Furthermore there is a lot of growth to be had here. First of all, it is possible for a franchise to succeed in the south. Anaheim, Dallas, LA anyone? Hockey is really taking off in those regions, and its seen a lot of growth here. However, the Coyotes are a huge reason for that (heck, Shane Doan is the main inspiration for many of the kids here). The only problem isn't the teams lack of a draw. A lot of it is management. They said last year that they would have to sell out every game just break even on operating costs for the year. What the heck kind of a business model is that? The team needs a shrewd sports businessman. With new capital and smart hockey decisions (which they are making a lot more of right now) they will be competetive in no time. With winning and decent marketing they will bring out plenty of fans (trust me I know this area). That's when you have to get smart. Good marketing and grassroots outreach programs will build support from the ground up. That way once the fans are their, you can keep them interested. That way if the team has some non spectacular years, the fans and support is still there. Establishing hockey in major cities like Dallas, LA, San Jose, and yes Phoenix can only be good for hockey.

I apologize for any antagonization.

Other note: Many state that in the north you grew up playing hockey on the pond and that being something the south can never have is the fundamental problem with warm weather hockey. Well I grew up playing hockey every single day on my street, so that point is moot. In fact, I'd say pick up hockey weather here is better than anywhere else.

[Mike]

milawukee would bea horrible choice, these fat asses here only care about football and baseball occasionally

Seattle would be better because you don't interfere as much with other teams' fans bases, plus you have an instant rival with the Canucks across the border and one with the Sharks, possibly the Avs.

[jollymania]

Seattle would be better because you don't interfere as much with other teams' fans bases, plus you have an instant rival with the Canucks across the border and one with the Sharks, possibly the Avs.

agreed, i htink seattle woudl be the choice if it had to be US

[jollymania]

With all due respect to all of you.... screw you. I do understand your position... but that doesn't mean I'm willing to let go of my second favorite team. Furthermore there is a lot of growth to be had here. First of all, it is possible for a franchise to succeed in the south. Anaheim, Dallas, LA anyone? Hockey is really taking off in those regions, and its seen a lot of growth here. However, the Coyotes are a huge reason for that (heck, Shane Doan is the main inspiration for many of the kids here). The only problem isn't the teams lack of a draw. A lot of it is management. They said last year that they would have to sell out every game just break even on operating costs for the year. What the heck kind of a business model is that? The team needs a shrewd sports businessman. With new capital and smart hockey decisions (which they are making a lot more of right now) they will be competetive in no time. With winning and decent marketing they will bring out plenty of fans (trust me I know this area). That's when you have to get smart. Good marketing and grassroots outreach programs will build support from the ground up. That way once the fans are their, you can keep them interested. That way if the team has some non spectacular years, the fans and support is still there. Establishing hockey in major cities like Dallas, LA, San Jose, and yes Phoenix can only be good for hockey.

I apologize for any antagonization.

Other note: Many state that in the north you grew up playing hockey on the pond and that being something the south can never have is the fundamental problem with warm weather hockey. Well I grew up playing hockey every single day on my street, so that point is moot. In fact, I'd say pick up hockey weather here is better than anywhere else.

but you see in canada they play hockey on the ice, the street, the grass, in the water, snow, dirt, carpet, ect...

[cusimano_brothers]

Well, isn't this interesting; from:

Toronto Star.

"As part of the BlackBerry magnate's $212.5 million (U.S.) offer to buy the Phoenix franchise, Gretzky as coach and part-owner stands to walk away with $22.5 million – $14.5 million to compensate him for changing the terms of his contract, and the rest for what he's owed in deferred salary. "

[Jones31]

Gretzky turned the offer down last night.

[Greif]

If a new team is coming to SW-Ontario then its only coming to one of 3 places, in order of probability:

1. Toronto (GTA)
2. Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge
3. Hamilton

None of the 3 choices above will effect any of the Detroit fans in SW-Ontario. It seems the cutoff between Detroit & Toronto fans is the Chatham-Kent area. Now if by some miracle London were to get an NHL team, then you would definitely see some Detroit fans switch over.