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On Expansion, Vegas NOT a Slam Dunk; Poll, Rumors on Wednesday's Webcast

August 27, 2014, 12:03 PM ET [197 Comments]
Eklund
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So over the last 18 hours or so NHL twitterverse has come alive with reports that NHL Expansion is at hand with some saying Las Vegas is a guaranteed spot.

I have spent the majority of this morning talking to people in this world and I really don't see Vegas as anywhere near a slam dunk.

The NHL is going to 32 teams in the next 3-5 years if the current economical situation persists... That is a slam dunk. Vegas is intriguing, but also EXTREMELY complicated. Beyond getting a strong ownership group remember the Board of Governors would have to approve this and believe me when I say there are some very influential Governors who want nothing to do with it. Beyond the fact of putting another team in the American Southwest Desert is the issue that has kept every other major sports league away until now. Gambling and perception is a concern. There is plenty of corporate money and even plenty of relocated northerners working in Vegas...however, the transient nature of the city and the turnover rate of employment is extreme.

And there are other cities who are also posturing for a team.

If you are really looking for a slam dunk, in my opinion at least, Quebec is the closest thing to a slam dunk. There are concerns regarding Quebec, for sure, but I have been told for five years now that the NHL has told Quebec they would love to com back and Quebec has been taking the needed steps, behind the scenes as well as out in the open, to make the NHL keep good on their discussions. Quebec might be more likely for a team to relocate to however...Expansion might be elsewhere.

Seattle is a possibility, but I am told not what is holding that up is the owner there would like an NBA team before they build the stadium. The NHL has tried to say start with the hockey team, but so far they haven't gotten very far. The NBA may not be getting back to Seattle in the next 5 years.

Markham, Ontario, north if Toronto, has a ton of potential as well. The building is there, the fan base is there and the new team could be the Leafs version of the Chicago White Sox. (with the Leafs being the Cubs in this metaphor...so true in so many ways.)

Kansas City is the most NHL ready NOW city, but there are certain governors who are afraid to go back to the home of the former Scouts...in my opinion that is very unfair. KC is a great hockey town, with a great building, and is very much a hockey city. The NHL returned to Atlanta and KC deserves a shot. I really believe KC would work better than Atlanta did. Way better.

Houston and Portland are also poking around. Both cities are outstanding geographical fits for the NHL. Both would fit perfectly. Dallas needs a local rival, and Portland is a lot like San Jose was at the time the NHL expanded there. And Portland is further away from Vancouver than Seattle.

Talking to people at the NHL, while 32 teams is inevitable, I would hardly call it imminent.



There is a ton more to discuss on this and we will definitely be devoting our podcast to this topic today....

On Marleau Rumors...

I keep hearing there are talks between the Sharks and as many as three other teams involving Patrick Marleau...

Camp Invite Rumors..

And yes, I am moving my "to camp invite players blog" to tomorrow so we can touch base on this hot topic today.

Today's Webcast with Josh Rimer and Mike Augello




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