Just because a team wins the stanley cup does not mean you need to keep them if they are losing money year after year. It would be nice to see it equal for ticket prices but hat will never happen. No more expansions cause they don't have enough talent to do that. I agree move the teams that can't fiill the stands or are losing money. Quebec could have 1 one, Hamilton could have one and Toronto would not be affected but it may hurt Buffalo not really sure. Just get a gdman deal done and get back to rumors.
- ganou60

I could see Quebec, but Hamilton wouldn't work out. There are more locations in the US that have better market potential, don't forget that the league is trying to spread the sport of hockey, saturated markets don't accomplish that goal. I also agree that there are places that hockey just doesn't work, at least at this point in time (i.e. Atlanta, Pheonix). I would suggest Seattle, Milwaukee, or Portland Oregon.

Also I want to refute the point that many Canadians make about the 7 Canadian teams making up 1/3 or the league's revenues, implying that they have a higher 'value' to the league. Toronto is by far the highest revenue generating team in the league, and they take up the majority of that 1/3 of revenue. Where does that leave the remaining Canadian teams in terms of 'value' to the league? Just saying, that argument isn't valid.

I could see Quebec, but Hamilton wouldn't work out. There are more locations in the US that have better market potential, don't forget that the league is trying to spread the sport of hockey, saturated markets don't accomplish that goal. I also agree that there are places that hockey just doesn't work, at least at this point in time (i.e. Atlanta, Pheonix). I would suggest Seattle, Milwaukee, or Portland Oregon.

Also I want to refute the point that many Canadians make about the 7 Canadian teams making up 1/3 or the league's revenues, implying that they have a higher 'value' to the league. Toronto is by far the highest revenue generating team in the league, and they take up the majority of that 1/3 of revenue. Where does that leave the remaining Canadian teams in terms of 'value' to the league? Just saying, that argument isn't valid.
- rsj2588

The average ticket prices in Edmonton is 120 bucks, The average in Toronto is 160 the average in Buffalo is 50.

You may not get an exact Revenue value from ticket prices but you can get a relative value from it.

I could see Quebec, but Hamilton wouldn't work out. There are more locations in the US that have better market potential, don't forget that the league is trying to spread the sport of hockey, saturated markets don't accomplish that goal. I also agree that there are places that hockey just doesn't work, at least at this point in time (i.e. Atlanta, Pheonix). I would suggest Seattle, Milwaukee, or Portland Oregon.

Also I want to refute the point that many Canadians make about the 7 Canadian teams making up 1/3 or the league's revenues, implying that they have a higher 'value' to the league. Toronto is by far the highest revenue generating team in the league, and they take up the majority of that 1/3 of revenue. Where does that leave the remaining Canadian teams in terms of 'value' to the league? Just saying, that argument isn't valid.
- rsj2588

I agree that it's not a Canadian thing -- 4 of the top 7 revenue teams are American (NYR, Bos, Det, Chi). The issue has always been the gap between big market/big revenue teams and the rest.

You're crazy to think that Hamilton wouldn't work. Take a look at the population within an hour drive of there. The only issue about Hamilton has always been the arguments that it would have destroyed the Sabres.

The average ticket prices in Edmonton is 120 bucks, The average in Toronto is 160 the average in Buffalo is 50.

You may not get an exact Revenue value from ticket prices but you can get a relative value from it.
- Oilhab

A lot goes into revenue and relative value other than average ticket price. I wouldn't really use Buffalo as an example of anything other than a team with amazing fans who sell out the arena every single night, and have a long waiting list for season tickets. They aren't a comparable market to Toronto, Montreal, NY, Boston etc.

The Rangers average ticket price was $55, and they are ranked #2 overall for franchise value. Red Wings, avg. $60, ranked #4. The LA Kings have rediculously cheap tickets (avg. $33) and are ranked #10 overall for franchise value. Prices are high in Canada, doesnt mean the franchises are more valuable or generate more revenue. Yes I realize Montreal and Toronto are huge on both of those scales.

I agree that it's not a Canadian thing -- 4 of the top 7 revenue teams are American (NYR, Bos, Det, Chi). The issue has always been the gap between big market/big revenue teams and the rest.

You're crazy to think that Hamilton wouldn't work. Take a look at the population within an hour drive of there. The only issue about Hamilton has always been the arguments that it would have destroyed the Sabres.
- Canada Cup

Hamilton would work, but at the expense of two established, stable franchises. It would hurt the Sabres a bit more, but its pretty much equidistant from Toronto and Buffalo (just under an hour). Why would the NHL allow that? Its a saturated market that already has two NHL teams.

The NHL has said that they don't like the idea of Hartford having a team because it would hurt NY and Boston, its about equidistant from those cities as well, but over 2 hours from either city.

Hamilton would work, but at the expense of two established, stable franchises. It would hurt the Sabres a bit more, but its pretty much equidistant from Toronto and Buffalo (just under an hour). Why would the NHL allow that? Its a saturated market that already has two NHL teams.

The NHL has said that they don't like the idea of Hartford having a team because it would hurt NY and Boston, its about equidistant from those cities as well, but over 2 hours from either city.
- rsj2588

Hamilton or even Markham wouldn't really hurt the Leafs, In fact, if Bell/Rogers would make more on the broadcast then they would lose on merchandise, etc. The real impact would be on the Sabres.

The idea of Hartford hurting Boston or the Rangers in any significant way is laughable. It might accelerate the death spiral for the Devils or Islanders (probably more the Islanders).

Does anyone really give a (frank) about the NHL?
Seriously I'm a die hard Habs fan but I went form a hockey fan to Habs fan and now growing extremely tired of the NHL.

On most nights the entertainment value is zero to nil.
It cost a family of four a minimum of 400$ to see a game.
NHL is greedy
Players are greedy
NO consistency in the officiating
Zero consistency when it comes to discipline
New potential fans have no clue whats what when they first watch a game because what is called a penalty at one moment is not called the next.
How can this game grow? It needs to fold some teams that never had any business being there to begin with.
Go from the current 30 teams to 26 - The game will be better and thus attendance everywhere will be up as well.
- Mats Naslund

Nobody wants to see people lose there jobs you don't like it and I don't like it but sometimes you have to cut off a finger to save the hand. When you(Failing franchise)have to keep going back to Dad(NHL) for money because you keep making the same mistakes it effects the whole family(all other owners and players)and relationships go downhill and Dads wallet gets thinner. Welcome to a league that other leagues laugh at.