18 replies to this topic

[MacK_Attack]

QUEBEC CITY –- Top Edmonton Oilers executives, including President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe, are to meet Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume Wednesday to discuss possible relocation, QMI has learned.

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A source close to the Oilers says team officials decided to explore relocation options amid opposition in Edmonton to a $1-billion arena that would be partially funded by taxpayers. The Katz Group proposes that the city borrow $400 million to build the facility, with the money being paid back through tax revenue generated from surrounding developments.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Edmonton/2010/12/01/16387051.html?cid=rsssportsslam!%20sports

[mindfly]

Would be awesome with a team in quebec city, those quebec derbys would be freakin' sweet.

[Hockeytown0001]

Didn't see that coming.

[NGKEIB]

Atlanta, Phoenix, Florida sure.

Edmonton?

[Steve Sample]

Just a way to push the City of Edmonton to step up that is all this will be about. The Oilers leaving Edmonton will never happen. However it would be great to see a team in Quebec City! Just not the Oilers.

[Hockeytown0001]

Just a way to push the City of Edmonton to step up that is all this will be about. The Oilers leaving Edmonton will never happen. However it would be great to see a team in Quebec City! Just not the Oilers.

This.

Although it sure would be a sad state of affairs for a Canadian NHL team to relocate instead of Phoenix and their 8,000 fans per game.

[Konnan511]

Just some posturing.

[Glubki]

Just some posturing.

Straight out of the Pittsburgh Penguins playbook...

[Stolberg]

This.

Although it sure would be a sad state of affairs for a Canadian NHL team to relocate instead of Phoenix and their 8,000 fans per game.

10k*

before last season they usually averaged around 14k

[eva unit zero]

Atlanta, Phoenix, Florida sure.

Edmonton?

Edmonton has been in the red for two decades. The franchise is doing much better financially in the past few years, even without considering revenue sharing, so a move like this should be unnecessary. The only question is the arena, and that can't seriously push the team out of Edmonton.

[edicius]

Just a means to get a new arena. They're not playing in Rexall past 2014.

[WpgMikos]

Straight out of the Pittsburgh Penguins playbook...

Agreed. Oilers aren't going anywhere. Surprised that Quebec City would allow themselves to be used. This is the same as Mario Lemieux supposedly talking to Winnipeg, and Wang/Islanders chatting with K.C. (well maybe last one is possible)

[toby91_ca]

What kind of a freakin arena do they plan on building for $1 billion??? The new arena in Pittsburgh, which just opened, was built for around $300 million and everything I've heard or read, that arena is pretty spectacular. Why do you need almost 4 times as much money to build something in Edmonton? I know labour in Alberta is expensive, but still.

[stevkrause]

Just a way to push the City of Edmonton to step up that is all this will be about. The Oilers leaving Edmonton will never happen. However it would be great to see a team in Quebec City! Just not the Oilers.

ding. ding. ding

[cusimano_brothers]

For those not keeping score, this is Mr. Katz' "Attempt #2" at a little bit of negotiating leverage.

[eva unit zero]

I know labour in Alberta is expensive, but still.

Well, compared to labor in the US, it is an additional 20% on average...

[irishtemper14+25]

I'm all for Quebec getting a new team but that would bef****** retarded


because in 3 years people are going to be trying to move a team from PHX or FLA or something up to Edmonton

[WpgMikos]

Read an article today which suggested that the Oilers weren't going to QC for talks to move Oil, but to figure out ways to get public money spent on a new arena.

LaForge said they had coffee with officials from Quebec and discussed funding models. LaForge dismissed the idea the two groups may form a coalition to pressure the federal government for new arena money.

Oilers organization denies they're in talks for possible relocation

[cusimano_brothers]

From TSN:

Even if the Edmonton Oilers get taxpayer help to fund a new downtown arena, they likely won't get it built by their 2014 deadline, new documents show.

City officials confirmed Friday that construction timelines and surrounding shops and offices that would go with the rink would make such a deadline "challenging."
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