Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted September 23, 2012 What's to stop Chris Chelios from starting a new NA pro hockey league? And what's to stop that league from supplanting the NHL? Obviously I'm being a little silly. ...and yet, I'm kinda not. Discuss the idea of a "new NHL." (National Cattle League?) Is the idea appealing to you? What would you like to see in a new league? How would someone, or multiple someones, go about actually creating a new league here in North America? Or would they even be able to? (Is this idea at all feasible?) Discuss potential obstacles. Discuss potential awesomeness. Explore all angles. 1 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Johnz96 Report post Posted September 23, 2012 I would rather watch a league that isn't commissioned by Bettman 3 Z Winged Dangler, wings_fanatic and haroldsnepsts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RippedOnNitro 22 Report post Posted September 23, 2012 Are they gonna build new arenas or use excisting small arenas?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Axe Report post Posted September 24, 2012 I am going to support minor league hockey this year. Its cheaper anyway. 2 Hockeymom1960 and Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Uncle Gary let others infringe on his "monopoly"? Not bloody likely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Whoa. I had the same "what's to stop Chris Chelios" thought. I wondered about the players starting their own, but wondered who'd bankroll the payroll and the arenas and all the other stuff that goes into it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Biggest obstacle? Infrastructure or the money to create/obtain. Brand is a big one too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 792 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) Whoa. I had the same "what's to stop Chris Chelios" thought. I wondered about the players starting their own, but wondered who'd bankroll the payroll and the arenas and all the other stuff that goes into it. hmmmmmmmmm I wonder that too. but hell who cares the owners are greedy and shouldn't be making as much as the players. that's just not fair.So....really. Who will be putting up money for this "NEW" league. the players? Can't be because you think that they deserve more of the "pie" now so we can't have the players giving up any of their money. Edited September 24, 2012 by hillbillywingsfan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drwscc 212 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) Whoa. I had the same "what's to stop Chris Chelios" thought. I wondered about the players starting their own, but wondered who'd bankroll the payroll and the arenas and all the other stuff that goes into it. Anyone who had the finances to do this would be on the same level as the current owners, and would want to see some return on their money. Unless it's something like The Toy with Richard Pryor, and like a Jim Balsille puts some teams together to play only for him. They could all bunk at his mansion, and he could hang out with them and do sleepovers and such. Edited September 24, 2012 by drwscc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 And, their games could be on ESPN. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 A new league would still run into the same issues as this one, I think. Ultimately, the only people who can afford to own teams are of the super rich variety, and it takes a certain mindset to get that far financially. I don't think it is realistic to have owners who participate in a professional hockey league mostly for the good of the community or for fun, and not primarily from a business standpoint. Consequently, I expect the owners of the new league to lock out the players in much the same way that Illitch and the current 29 owners have, based on differences in perceived potential earnings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Oh this thread brings back memories. On topic, I was wondering what if the KHL and European leagues catch on in the next season to season and a half (as projected). Lots of players have said they would have no problem staying in their home countries. SOOO... What about finally having a world wide league. Have 2 NA divisions Can and Amer in one conference, 2 more between KHL and Europe divisions making another conference. The first three(maybe 2) rounds must be from the original holder of picks homeland (so to speak). After that you can draft anyone anywhere. Or not let anyone draft anyone, but I thought it would be a neat feature. No play in other conference until a 7 game championship series held at a rotating host site each year. Maybe???? Maybe Not???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swayze 81 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Aside from the world wide league idea, this all just reminds me of the XFL. 1 hillbillywingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 792 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Aside from the world wide league idea, this all just reminds me of the XFL. Wonder if Vince likes hockey =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Just get a big ol' ranch in for the players to live on (y'know- like cattle) and herd them over to the other guys' ranch for the games. Just find some rich ranchers (y'know- like in Texas). It'd be Bush League, but who cares? 1 evilmrt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RippedOnNitro 22 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 I am going to support minor league hockey this year. Its cheaper anyway. I concur. It is refreshing to watch a league which does not revolve about money all the time. Just players who play for good fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted September 24, 2012 Wonder if Vince likes hockey =) 1 thegerkin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) If I was to start a hockey league, this is how it would look, from an on-ice standpoint: -No trapezoid area. Goalies can freely handle the puck. -Players make their own decisions regarding facial protection. -No instigator penalty. Let the players police themselves. -Head hunting rules in place, however not nearly ridiculously touchy as today's NHL head hunting rules. -Tolerance for a bit more obstruction (Hooking, holding, interference) than today's NHL. -No penalties for "Delay of game" As far as off the ice: -No salary rollbacks on player contracts. Once the deal is done, its done. I don't have many other concrete opinions as to what it should look like off the ice. No greedy owners. No greedy players. Obviously, starting a new hockey league in North America wouldn't be easy. The NHL is the top dog. It'd be hard to compete in cities that have NHL teams. Then again, since those NHL teams are constantly locked out, now would be a great time to give it a shot. Who's in this with me? Edited September 25, 2012 by Bring Back The Bruise Bros 3 55fan, Z Winged Dangler and Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 You guys will have to wait until April...when it comes playoff time, and there isn't any NHL hockey going on, people will start thinking about an alternate league. Its just too large of an undertaking to even realistically be floated until a whole season is cancelled. Now, if we're into next summer and there is still a lockout? HAHA. Yeah, I think something will start to develop. I hope. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RippedOnNitro 22 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 A new league would still run into the same issues as this one, I think. Ultimately, the only people who can afford to own teams are of the super rich variety, and it takes a certain mindset to get that far financially. I don't think it is realistic to have owners who participate in a professional hockey league mostly for the good of the community or for fun, and not primarily from a business standpoint. Consequently, I expect the owners of the new league to lock out the players in much the same way that Illitch and the current 29 owners have, based on differences in perceived potential earnings. I agree...a brand new league will face the same problems in the future. As long as the players have a saying in how much their employers are required to pay their employees these things will happen! 1 hillbillywingsfan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 You couldn't have a 30 team league pop up overnight, obviously, but if this lockout lasts a full year and still has no resolution, I think they could round up a handful of rich people who would want to invest in a new hockey league. Teams in Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Montreal? I don't care if it's just regional as long as there are good players and I can watch it on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krayzie_Bone 58 Report post Posted September 25, 2012 Put a team not an 8 hour drive away from me ill pay to watch it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Axe Report post Posted September 26, 2012 I wouldn't mind seeing the NHL dissolve into a Euro/Russia super league. I dont need to spend 400 going to a game, anyways. TV, just like euro soccer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegerkin 189 Report post Posted September 26, 2012 I think the old timers had the exact same idea when they created the competing World Hockey Association (WHA). That league only lasted for 7 seasons and it just couldn't make it. Also, it's not like they didn't have the money or the talent. Hell, Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe played in the WHA for 6 seasons. Unfortunately in the end, it was a failed experiment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seraph 240 Report post Posted September 26, 2012 It would just be easier if players infiltrated another league that provided better benefits. Though, no other North American league would be able to match similar salaries up front. The KHL would have been a viable option but they agreed to recognize NHL contracts, which is looking like a good strategic move to establish by the NHL before entering this lockout. Otherwise the players would have all entered the KHL without restrictions and received competitive salaries. We'd all be CSKA fans right about now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
