Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Let's say you hit a couple billion on the lottery or something... Where would you choose to place your imaginary NHL expansion team, and why? My choice: (one I know many will not agree with) Vegas baby... Pair it up w/ one of the casinos on the strip... ex. The Las Vegas Legionaries playing at Caesar's Palace? The city is really hurting from the real estate/mortgage crash, and it's already one of the best locations tax wise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I'd put it in Southern Ontario and magically move Detroit to the East so I can see them near home at least four times a year, maybe eight if I go into Toronto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I love Seattle and I'm pretty sure they could handle a team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I love Seattle and I'm pretty sure they could handle a team. Seattle is desperate for more sports teams, especially if they're successful (like the Sounders, unlike the Seahawks). I could see the Seattle Metropolitans coming back and doing really well. Key Arena is really really nice and isn't even used for much anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I'd put my team in the West Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I'd put my team in the West Toronto suburb of Mississauga. You only say that cause you live in Burlington. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Quebec. Or Hartford. Probably Quebec. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDetroitRedWings 286 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I agree with some of the others, Seattle must be starving for more pro sports. For such a big city I don't think it's fair for them to only have the Mariners. I would go with Seattle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonan78 1 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Portland. Here's why: 22nd largest TV market in the US (ahead of Raleigh, Nashville, Columbus, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh) Only one other pro sports team to compete with locally Relatively new arena that holds 17,544 for hockey Far enough from nearby existing markets (San Jose and Vancouver) to worry about competing for fans, but close enough to create a rivalry But most of all, if they put another team in the West, they might move the Red Wings to the East where they belong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Winnipeg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I like Las Vegas as a spot. The Las Vegas Caesars. Or Las Vegas Rounders. Eh, who am I kidding... Seattle would probably be my choice. It's definitely a sports town, and after losing the Sonics, they need another team. I wouldn't know what to call them though. I got a few names, like the Seattle Screamers, Static, Sound, Sonance, Shellbacks, and Crew. Those are mainly what I found by thesaurus from the city's other sports teams. The jersey color would be the traditional emerald green, or close to, color just like the other sports teams' colors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDetroitRedWings 286 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Winnipeg. Tried that. Failed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Tried that. Failed. Tried Hartford and Quebec as well. Does not mean they couldn't handle a team. Minnesota failed once and have one back. Colorado. I'd put one in Winnipeg again. They would just have to get rid of the AHL team and add seating to the building. Vegas might work. You would only get locals at the game but how long until the novelty wears off. You won't get tourists getting tickets I wouldn't think. I wouldn't go to Vegas then go watch hockey and lose a night. If it caught and stuck with the locals it would be a good place but I don't see that happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Vegas might work. You would only get locals at the game but how long until the novelty wears off. You won't get tourists getting tickets I wouldn't think. I wouldn't go to Vegas then go watch hockey and lose a night. If it caught and stuck with the locals it would be a good place but I don't see that happening. From a purely financial standpoint it would survive. But most likely the fans would be extremely casual, with a scattering of very fanatical transplanted fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted December 5, 2009 From a purely financial standpoint it would survive. But most likely the fans would be extremely casual, with a scattering of very fanatical transplanted fans. Which... if you look at Vegas, is very much like the town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Alabama, because Bettman will do whatever he can to keep it there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I like Las Vegas as a spot. The Las Vegas Caesars. Or Las Vegas Rounders. Eh, who am I kidding... Seattle would probably be my choice. It's definitely a sports town, and after losing the Sonics, they need another team. I wouldn't know what to call them though. I got a few names, like the Seattle Screamers, Static, Sound, Sonance, Shellbacks, and Crew. Those are mainly what I found by thesaurus from the city's other sports teams. The jersey color would be the traditional emerald green, or close to, color just like the other sports teams' colors. Just bring back the Seattle Metropolitans, the first American team to win the Stanley Cup. Like you said, Seattle is definitely a sports town, and there's really not that much going on here during the winter in terms of sports. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Portland, awesome city. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 While I would love an NHL team in Portland here is why it won't happen: 1. Paul Allen owns the Rose Garden which is the only place an NHL team could play. He has stated in the past that he is not interested in the NHL. Portlanders will not cough up free ride money for sports franchise owners to build stadiums or rinks. 2. We have a WHL team (the Winterhawks) which struggles on and off for attendance. Portland is no different than anywhere else outside of the northeast and the northern midwest - hockey is not part of the general culture. 3. At the end of the day, love of hockey is learned at a young age. In the Portland metro area there are a grand total of 2 ice rinks and one indoor roller rink. How can you sell this sport when the hearts and minds of the kids are not there? In the Northwest Seattle makes more sense. Though it makes as much sense as Phoenix due to the regional appeal of hockey. Bettman thought he could change that, but the reality is that hockey always has been a regional sport and always will be until youth hockey programs are strong in the markets the NHL wants to penetrate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Actually now that the dollar sucks ass and will for an indefinite period of time, I would say any strong market in Canada - say Quebec City. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted December 5, 2009 (edited) nvm Edited December 5, 2009 by CaliWingsNut Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 While I would love an NHL team in Portland here is why it won't happen: 1. Paul Allen owns the Rose Garden which is the only place an NHL team could play. He has stated in the past that he is not interested in the NHL. Portlanders will not cough up free ride money for sports franchise owners to build stadiums or rinks. 2. We have a WHL team (the Winterhawks) which struggles on and off for attendance. Portland is no different than anywhere else outside of the northeast and the northern midwest - hockey is not part of the general culture. 3. At the end of the day, love of hockey is learned at a young age. In the Portland metro area there are a grand total of 2 ice rinks and one indoor roller rink. How can you sell this sport when the hearts and minds of the kids are not there? In the Northwest Seattle makes more sense. Though it makes as much sense as Phoenix due to the regional appeal of hockey. Bettman thought he could change that, but the reality is that hockey always has been a regional sport and always will be until youth hockey programs are strong in the markets the NHL wants to penetrate. Ya my little cousin lives in Salem and I heard he has to go an hour or so couple times a week to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoe 165 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Kitchener Waterloo Ontario expansion. Give Jim what hes always wanted id love to see a RIM center or a Blackberry Palace Move Atlanta to Cincinattii Move Florida to Quebec Move pheonix to Milwaulkee Nashville is the other on the bubble team but I kinda like them there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Hamilton is the worst possible idea ever conceived. While I think Bettman is just being a prick, Hamilton is a horrible choice. I mean, how many of you would want a new team in Windsor, Ontario? Directly across the border, essentially taking away a HUGE number of Red Wing fans. Hamilton getting a team means that the Sabres will be dead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Hamilton is the worst possible idea ever conceived. While I think Bettman is just being a prick, Hamilton is a horrible choice. I mean, how many of you would want a new team in Windsor, Ontario? Directly across the border, essentially taking away a HUGE number of Red Wing fans. Hamilton getting a team means that the Sabres will be dead. At least they wouldn't be taking fans away from a team that's won a Cup... I mean, my hometown has more Cups than Buffalo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
