13 replies to this topic

[Nero]

2007: Penguins are in financial trouble. Talks of relocation and new management. Jim Balsillie puts in a bid. Penguins go from not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Champions in four years.

2009: Coyotes are in financial trouble. Talks of relocation and new management. Jim Balsillie puts in a bid. Coyotes go from not qualifying for the playoffs in six seasons to clinching a playoff spot in the top 4.

[mindfly]

2007: Penguins are in financial trouble. Talks of relocation and new management. Jim Balsillie puts in a bid. Penguins go from not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Champions in four years.

2009: Coyotes are in financial trouble. Talks of relocation and new management. Jim Balsillie puts in a bid. Coyotes go from not qualifying for the playoffs in six seasons to clinching a playoff spot in the top 4.

Coyotes doesn't have a crosby or malkin

[BlakKy]

Coincidence.
While it's a topic of discussion:
I think Balsille is an ideal owner for an NHL franchise. He has bottomless pockets, loves the game and a proper business sense.. something that got him in trouble when he approached the Phoenix situation somewhat underhanded. I just can't believe that guy doesn't own Nashville, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Atlanta, Columbus or one of the Floridian franchises yet.

[softshoes]

Coincidence.
While it's a topic of discussion:
I think Balsille is an ideal owner for an NHL franchise. He has bottomless pockets, loves the game and a proper business sense.. something that got him in trouble when he approached the Phoenix situation somewhat underhanded. I just can't believe that guy doesn't own Nashville, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Atlanta, Columbus or one of the Floridian franchises yet.

I know why. He wants to move them up north.

[55fan]

May 2007- Balsille is reported to have struck a tentative deal with the Predators. The Preds stop wearing mustard-coloured uniforms.

Not only does he have the midas touch, he also has fashion sense.

[BlakKy]

I know why. He wants to move them up north.

Which would be a good thing because then the rest of the league could stop babysitting one more franchise. Those franchises aren't fooling anyone... they are not profitable. If the NHL ever wants to stop being a Mickey Mouse league they need to first admit that they are... like how alcoholics need to first admit they have a problem before they recover.

[hooon]

Having a couple of superstars and 1st overall picks is the real difference here. Also, Phoenix hasn't been THAT terrible. They've been bad, but not as bad as the Pens were several years back.

Also, if the Yotes lose in the first round I feel like the minor hype that surrounds them now will evaporate pretty quickly.

[toby91_ca]

Related note....was listening to the radio today and the rumour I was hearing is that the number Riensdorf is thinking about in terms of purchasing the Coyotes is $60 million (quite different than the $230 million or whatever it was that Basille offered). So, the NHL purhcases for $140 million, loses $20 million (this is what the NHL suggests they'll lose this year, which I seriously doubt, it's gotta be more than that). Anyway, assuming that's right, that's $160 million put in by the NHL and then sell for $60 million = $100 million loss....to be funded by the other 29 owners.....how can they be happy about that?

Of course, these numbers may be way off, but either way, the other owners are paying out of their pockets here.

[BlakKy]

I can't believe the bankruptcy judge filed in favor of the league... isn't it his job to protect the shareholders and make sure they recoup most of their money if bankruptcy is declared? Now I realize the argument is that the league wasn't bankrupt and the coyotes weren't the owner's property (sounds weird typing that), but then why was the case even taken to bankruptcy court?

[CaliWingsNut]

Related note....was listening to the radio today and the rumour I was hearing is that the number Riensdorf is thinking about in terms of purchasing the Coyotes is $60 million (quite different than the $230 million or whatever it was that Basille offered). So, the NHL purhcases for $140 million, loses $20 million (this is what the NHL suggests they'll lose this year, which I seriously doubt, it's gotta be more than that). Anyway, assuming that's right, that's $160 million put in by the NHL and then sell for $60 million = $100 million loss....to be funded by the other 29 owners.....how can they be happy about that?

Of course, these numbers may be way off, but either way, the other owners are paying out of their pockets here.

Basille's offer looked great to the layman. It was a giant cash number.

However the numbers, involving debt, current employ, Glendale, etc... comparing the deals, without getting waist deep in numbers, it's hard to tell the advantages.

[eva unit zero]

Balsillie's offer was to purchase the team and move them to Hamilton. But moreover, he was trying to get the judge to force the League to allow him to purchase the team and allow the move, despite the fact that the League bylaws state that the League must approve all purchases and all moves. Balsillie was trying to basically backdoor the League rules just to get a team in his hometown. His whole "Make It Seven" campaign as total bulls*** also, because he only cared about a team in Hamilton; he didn't want a team in Winnipeg or Nova Scotia or Quebec or Saskatoon or anywhere else. He would only settle for Hamilton. He simply wanted to rally Canadian support behind him.

Lets look at some realistic stuff:

Bettman, and therefore the NHL Board of Governors, has said that if Phoenix moves, it would be back to Winnipeg.

More realistically, let's see the League add two expansion teams; Seattle and Winnipeg are notable cities with quite a bit of hockey history behind them.

So now we would have 32 teams.

Perhaps...
1))Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Winnipeg
2)Chicago, Colorado, Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Toronto
3)Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Ottawa
4)Atlanta, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Washington

Admittedly, it's not perfect for travel. But it's only four divisions, compared to the following eight, which might be more travel-friendly:

WEST
1) Anaheim, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose
2) Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver
3) Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix, Winnipeg
4) Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St.Louis

EAST
1) Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay
2) Boston, Montreal, Philadephia, Pittsburgh
3) Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto
4) New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington

[rage]

Balsillie's offer was to purchase the team and move them to Hamilton. But moreover, he was trying to get the judge to force the League to allow him to purchase the team and allow the move, despite the fact that the League bylaws state that the League must approve all purchases and all moves. Balsillie was trying to basically backdoor the League rules just to get a team in his hometown. His whole "Make It Seven" campaign as total bulls*** also, because he only cared about a team in Hamilton; he didn't want a team in Winnipeg or Nova Scotia or Quebec or Saskatoon or anywhere else. He would only settle for Hamilton. He simply wanted to rally Canadian support behind him.

Lets look at some realistic stuff:

Bettman, and therefore the NHL Board of Governors, has said that if Phoenix moves, it would be back to Winnipeg.

More realistically, let's see the League add two expansion teams; Seattle and Winnipeg are notable cities with quite a bit of hockey history behind them.

So now we would have 32 teams.

Perhaps...
1))Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Winnipeg
2)Chicago, Colorado, Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Toronto
3)Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Ottawa
4)Atlanta, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Washington

Admittedly, it's not perfect for travel. But it's only four divisions, compared to the following eight, which might be more travel-friendly:

WEST
1) Anaheim, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose
2) Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver
3) Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix, Winnipeg
4) Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St.Louis

EAST
1) Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay
2) Boston, Montreal, Philadephia, Pittsburgh
3) Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto
4) New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington

This is like in 2020 right?

[CaliWingsNut]

WEST
1) Anaheim, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose
2) Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver
3) Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix, Winnipeg
4) Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St.Louis

EAST
1) Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay
2) Boston, Montreal, Philadephia, Pittsburgh
3) Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto
4) New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington

You really, really, love the idea of 32 teams...

Scrap (or don't create) 6 of the bolded teams and I'd be happy. It's the time for growth and expansion, but not in the entertainment industry. Definitely not in a league that is already too large and long for the bandwagon fan to follow.

Do you somehow expect these new teams to add new unknown superstars to support them? How many teams can Crosby, sorry NHL, advertise for?

[Z Winged Dangler]

Balsillie's offer was to purchase the team and move them to Hamilton. But moreover, he was trying to get the judge to force the League to allow him to purchase the team and allow the move, despite the fact that the League bylaws state that the League must approve all purchases and all moves. Balsillie was trying to basically backdoor the League rules just to get a team in his hometown. His whole "Make It Seven" campaign as total bulls*** also, because he only cared about a team in Hamilton; he didn't want a team in Winnipeg or Nova Scotia or Quebec or Saskatoon or anywhere else. He would only settle for Hamilton. He simply wanted to rally Canadian support behind him.

Lets look at some realistic stuff:

Bettman, and therefore the NHL Board of Governors, has said that if Phoenix moves, it would be back to Winnipeg.

More realistically, let's see the League add two expansion teams; Seattle and Winnipeg are notable cities with quite a bit of hockey history behind them.

So now we would have 32 teams.

Perhaps...
1))Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Winnipeg
2)Chicago, Colorado, Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Toronto
3)Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Ottawa
4)Atlanta, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Washington

Admittedly, it's not perfect for travel. But it's only four divisions, compared to the following eight, which might be more travel-friendly:

WEST
1) Anaheim, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose
2) Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver
3) Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix, Winnipeg
4) Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St.Louis

EAST
1) Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay
2) Boston, Montreal, Philadephia, Pittsburgh
3) Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto
4) New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington

if those were the divisions, Winnipeg would be swapped with Seattle for sure.
not sure if you got a map handy, but Winnipeg is a 12 hour drive from the likes of Edmonton and Calgary. While Vancouver and Seattle are within spitting distance, it wouldn't make any sense to have Winnipeg in a division with Dallas and Phoenix. maybe minnesota, but not the other 2.