Baisaille SHOULD be an NHL owner

[eva unit zero 271]

For an owner what's worse - a team that's losing $$, and becomes a "welfare child" of the league that'll get revenue sharing for as long as it stays in an area that won't support the team OR a team that makes tons of $$, and sells out each home game, and draws media attention from not only Canada, but from the USA as well?

Then there's the issue of attracting fans from other established teams; well from where I sit there's only 1 team it'll significantly affect, and that's Buffalo...The Leafs will NEVER have a problem selling out/making boatloads of $$, and IMHO they're full of $hit if they say otherwise.

Balsillie has gone about the process of relocating teams he didn't even own twice now. That on it's own is a huge negative. But the fact is, he has been very open about the fact that he wants to purchase a team with the sole purpose of moving it to Hamilton. Now, if he wants to move a team he has purchased, that's one thing...but there should be some attempt to make the team successful in its current location before he is allowed to just uproot a team. Not to mention the fact that yes, Hamilton will draw primarily from Buffalo; but that fact doesn't make dropping a team in there any less dangerous. Putting a team in Hamilton could potentially tear away a significant portion of the Sabres' fan base. Why doesn't Balsillie just buy the Sabres?

[p_diddy_datsyuk_13 2]

Ya know that's an interesting question...I'm not a Sabres fan, nor am I aware of their current owner/s, but I do recall them having significant issues in which the league had to step in and help run the franchise for a while...Wonder if the league would approve his bid on that franchise (if it were to go on sale), and allow for re-location?

The Buffalo Sabres, along with at least 3 other teams (Detroit and Toronto being two), had an issue with a relocation to Hamilton. Detroit draws rather heavily from Southern Ontario, even the far reaching parts, and of course there are the Leafs. There is no doubt that a Hamilton team would have little effect on Toronto, but the fact remains the principle as Balsillie continues to look to circumvent NHL rules in order to invade the markets of at least 3 other teams.

There is no doubt that the Hamilton area could likely support an NHL team, but the existence of a team there would mean the Sabres would be forced to relocate, and given the recent history of the NHL being committed to its markets, they would just be walking themselves into another Phoenix type situation where they are supporting the franchise, which has happened in Buffalo before. I do not forsee there being a team in Hamilton in the near future for this reason, as the Sabres had problems in the past, and this would just worsen them.

[StevieY9802 6]

The Buffalo Sabres, along with at least 3 other teams (Detroit and Toronto being two), had an issue with a relocation to Hamilton. Detroit draws rather heavily from Southern Ontario, even the far reaching parts, and of course there are the Leafs. There is no doubt that a Hamilton team would have little effect on Toronto, but the fact remains the principle as Balsillie continues to look to circumvent NHL rules in order to invade the markets of at least 3 other teams.

There is no doubt that the Hamilton area could likely support an NHL team, but the existence of a team there would mean the Sabres would be forced to relocate, and given the recent history of the NHL being committed to its markets, they would just be walking themselves into another Phoenix type situation where they are supporting the franchise, which has happened in Buffalo before. I do not forsee there being a team in Hamilton in the near future for this reason, as the Sabres had problems in the past, and this would just worsen them.

The Sabres are the reason I don't see a team going to Hamilton. Hamilton could support it, Toronto would be ok and so would Detroit. And if it would force a team to leave Buffalo I don't think that's fair. The team draws well there even if people are coming over from Canada.

[evilmrt 636]

Well, it looks like Balsillie is back in the game, folks:

The September auction of the Phoenix Coyotes will be open to any and all bidders, according to a U.S. Bankruptcy Court decision Wednesday afternoon.

Judge Redfield T. Baum spent a couple of days deliberating whether the auction would be limited to bidders who would keep the NHL team in Glendale or expanded to those such as Canadian business mogul Jim Balsillie, who wants to relocate the hockey franchise.

Arizona Republic

I wish I could have been there to see Bettman's face after the judge ruled this!!!!

[Guest Shoreline]

Crossing my fingers.

And wow, some of the posts in this page were outstanding about the invasion of other teams' markets. It's obvious that would, in fact piss off other owners. It obviously isn't in the NHL's best interest to allow other teams to move in on another team's territory if it were going to threaten their bottom line significantly.. like, to a point of bankruptcy, and the Sabres haven't exactly been financially sound either. It's a tough situation, but nonetheless there's no way in hell the franchise survives in Arizona. In all honesty, I personally think the best idea is for the team to fold and for the players on that team to be dispersed via draft if they cannot be financially viable. The second best option, to me, is moving them elsewhere, even if it's Hamilton, or Regina/Saskatoon. Being that I'm trying to get a transfer to UofS (in SK), and likely call that area my home, it would be nice to have an NHL venue there, in my own selfish world.

Edited August 5, 2009 by Shoreline

[eva unit zero 271]

Move Phoenix back to...I don't know...Phoenix!

That alone would do wonders for their fan base.

Oh, and either fire Gretzky or move him from behind the bench to on it. He'd be better for the team as a player than as the coach, serving the team as an overpaid center on one of the top two lines rather than as a coach who basically has no positive effect; I am honestly unsure if the Yotes would be better or worse if the players were to play the entire season without any coaching staff at all.

And furthermore, realistically, London is about as close as you can get to Buffalo or Toronto and have an NHL team that won't pull from either team, as opposed to Hamilton, which pulls from both.

Honestly, I would not be opposed to a two-team expansion in the next two or three seasons. Give Balsillie a team in London, and put the other team in Houston, KC, or Vegas.

Make it four eight-team divisions, with the top divisional teams getting guaranteed playoff spots and the next four being based on record. Seed 1-8 based on record, no bonus for winning division.

All-Star break would be as follows: All-Star teams would play a single-game elimination tournament with same-conference divisions playing and then conference champions playing.

4 forwards, 4 defensemen, and one goalie for each division would be selected for the Youngstars game, which would be two 10-minute periods of 4-on-4 hockey.

Each All-Star team would be fan-voted starters (3F, 2D, 1G) from each division, plus eight forwards, three defensemen, and two goalies for a total of 11-5-3. The best forward and defenseman from the Youngstars team for that division would be added on to make the team 12-6-3. All teams in each division would be represented by at least one player.

The All-Star break could have the following schedule:

Thursday: 7:00EST All-Star Skills Competition

Friday: 7:00EST Youngstars Eastern game, 8:30 Youngstars Western game

Saturday: 12:00 EST Youngstars Championship game, 4:00EST Eastern game, 7:00EST Western game.

Sunday: 12:00EST All-Star Championship game

This allows more players to have an All-Star experience, with more chance for revenue, a slightly longer break for those players not participating, and more all-around entertainment. This format could even be modified to work with the current number of teams.

[RedFX 48]

Again, my bet is that you'd say the same about any owner if the circumstances brought their business dealings to the attention of the public's ever-scrutinizing eye. Whenever hundreds of millions of dollars are in the fold, you can be certain that the core of the dealings yields nothing short of an ugly situation. These sort of massive dealings bring out the worst in people because there's just so much at stake.

Really, I don't think so, at least not to the extent of what Balsillie did to the Metro Sports Council. I don't know how he handled things in Pittsburgh, but he did things here that were borderline illegal.

Oh yeah, then there was that big one-hour presentation made to the MSC about his commitment to Nashville, and referenced inserting money into the organization, drawing corporate support, and using the team to reach out to and better the community. It really was a well-done, brilliant presentation and business model. There was just one problem, about 14 hours later, he started selling season tickets in Hamilton.

And just something to keep in mind, Bettman did not stop the sale. Craig Leipold did.

[dragonballgtz 273]

Move Phoenix back to...I don't know...Phoenix!

Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria etc....its all just one big ass city. You can cross a street and be in a different town then take a step to the left and be in another town.

I do hope they stay in Phoenix as I need to see my Red Wings once in a while since I live in Flagstaff, AZ now.

[gcom007 1,465]

Really, I don't think so, at least not to the extent of what Balsillie did to the Metro Sports Council. I don't know how he handled things in Pittsburgh, but he did things here that were borderline illegal.

Oh yeah, then there was that big one-hour presentation made to the MSC about his commitment to Nashville, and referenced inserting money into the organization, drawing corporate support, and using the team to reach out to and better the community. It really was a well-done, brilliant presentation and business model. There was just one problem, about 14 hours later, he started selling season tickets in Hamilton.

And just something to keep in mind, Bettman did not stop the sale. Craig Leipold did.

I hear what you're saying, I just don't think any of these owners are above such shenanigans. Like I said in that long post, look what Lemieux did in Pittsburgh. And then look what he did in Kansas City. Then look what he took back to Pittsburgh to throw in politicians faces. They're all playing games. They're all likely involved in illegal dealings. Corruption rules. Only they don't call it that. They just deem it as necessary to accomplish their end goals. Who's right or wrong doesn't really matter when it all shakes down and history can interpret things differently ten years out compared to what seems evident in the present.

[Guest Shoreline]

For an owner what's worse - a team that's losing $$$, and becomes a "welfare child" of the league that'll get revenue sharing for as long as it stays in an area that won't support the team OR a team that makes tons of $$$, and sells out each home game, and draws media attention from not only Canada, but from the USA as well?

Revenue sharing was a necessary evil because there are legitimate small market teams that aren't cash cows like the Leafs or Rangers, regardless of how piss poor the team plays, and therefore do not have the money to spend like everyone else, even in the post-cap era. Edmonton nearly folded because they don't have the luxury of being in one of the biggest media centers in the world, as well as being in a metropolitan area with a population of 18+ million people to make money on far more than just seats -- a common team throughout the league, US and Canada. Yet, they have been established as just as necessary to the league as the Rangers. The Oilers have proven to be popular within their region and can survive in a cap system. The Coyotes, on the other hand, have proven they can't in any situation. Bettman wisely let Hartford and Winnipeg go when they couldn't support theirs outside the cap. Now, today, Winnipeg might be able to support a franchise under the cap.

Edited August 6, 2009 by Shoreline

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Just move the 'yotes to Vegas. They'll sell out every single night. Vegas is starving for a major league franchise. Tons of snowbirds down there anyway, so it's not like there won't be "real" fans.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

The NHL is in the business of selling hockey. Not just to fans, but to sponsors. They are also not in the business of giving a team to an owner who is going to move that team to a location that will put another team into harder financial times. (Buffalo) Not to mention make things difficult for an original six team (Toronto) when it comes to sponsors and TV. There are only so many channels to broadcast Leafs, Sabres and what would be the Hamilton team. There is a reason why he was UNANIMOUSLY rejected as an owner. Beat the other teams on the ice, not in the wallet.

[p_diddy_datsyuk_13 2]

Just move the 'yotes to Vegas. They'll sell out every single night. Vegas is starving for a major league franchise. Tons of snowbirds down there anyway, so it's not like there won't be "real" fans.

Vegas??? I hope you are kidding... Vegas is one of the biggest areas in the US without a major league franchise for a reason!! They would have no fan base, being in the desert, and pretty much everyone in the area works at night when the games would be played, so tourists would end up being their biggest draw. Vegas is a tourist town, period, and it is a tourist town that does its business at night, so if/when they are dumb enough to put a team in Vegas, it will last about as long as a team would (again) in Kansas City.

Glendale is a suburb of Phoenix, keyword SUBURB!! Much like the Panthers playing in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb of Miami. Hockey teams can draw fans in big cities, even if they are not a 'hockey market.' The Panthers seem to do fine, although they would do better in Miami, and Phoenix is larger than Miami, anywhere between 4th and 7th largest in the US depending how you look at it.

They are better off IN Phoenix then anywhere near Vegas.

Edited August 6, 2009 by p_diddy_datsyuk_13

[StevieY9802 6]

The NHL is in the business of selling hockey. Not just to fans, but to sponsors. They are also not in the business of giving a team to an owner who is going to move that team to a location that will put another team into harder financial times. (Buffalo) Not to mention make things difficult for an original six team (Toronto) when it comes to sponsors and TV. There are only so many channels to broadcast Leafs, Sabres and what would be the Hamilton team. There is a reason why he was UNANIMOUSLY rejected as an owner. Beat the other teams on the ice, not in the wallet.

I agree but keeping the team in Phoenix is beating the Coyotes in the wallet. $200mil in losses since 01 I think is what I read? Not saying they should go to Hamilton but I don't think this team should stay in Phoenix. They need to go somewhere else.

[p_diddy_datsyuk_13 2]

I agree but keeping the team in Phoenix is beating the Coyotes in the wallet. $200mil in losses since 01 I think is what I read? Not saying they should go to Hamilton but I don't think this team should stay in Phoenix. They need to go somewhere else.

I agree completely...

The league and owners are just upset that Balsille wants to move the team right into the middle of two other teams markets, primarily Buffalo, but Toronto too. If Balsille were to say he wanted to move the team back to Winnipeg or to Quebec City, there would be no issue, but they will not allow him to risk putting another team in the same situation that the Coyotes are currently in and at risk of having to be moved too.