Eklund: Quebec Announcement Coming? 32 Teams?
- Eklund

32 teams sucks for a league that hasn't gotten stable with 30 teams yet.

QC would be great for me as a spectator, but I'm torn, because 32 teams would hurt the stability of the league. Also, I'd worry about losing guys to the expansion draft!

Love to see hockey in Quebec once again

32 teams sucks for a league that hasn't gotten stable with 30 teams yet.

QC would be great for me as a spectator, but I'm torn, because 32 teams would hurt the stability of the league. Also, I'd worry about losing guys to the expansion draft!
- Morris

My guess is the NHL would argue that adding two teams in strong markets strengthens the finances of the league.

I'm not saying I agree with it, but...

They weren't making money (how many NHL teams actually do make money), but they weren't loosing a ton. The fact is the old chairman retired and the new one had no interest in hockey.
- cuethenoise

For Christs Sakes man. At one time they had the staff down to 3 employees and they were deferring paychecks. It was a mess.

Bottom line is that it's working now, just as it is in Minneapolis and appears to be in Winnipeg.

He wanted out because the Team was a money pit. It was almost moved to Saskatoon but you are right the NHL blocked it. However after that they almost contracted.

If you are trying to tell me that they were a money making franchise in the 70's and 80's, you're delusional.
- stormey

i think he may be right about the league blocking but i think it had to do with the alternative market, not St Louis.

For Christs Sakes man. At one time they had the staff down to 3 employees and they were deferring paychecks. It was a mess.
Bottom line is that it's working now, just as it is in Minneapolis and appears to be in Winnipeg.
- stormey

1983 draft.

'nuf said.

i think he may be right about the league blocking but i think it had to do with the alternative market, not St Louis.
- Fountain-San

Correct.

The US owners wanted no part of allowing a franchise to relocate to Saskatoon.

Because 92.6% of Americans have no idea what a Saskatoon is.

And I don't blame them.

i think he may be right about the league blocking but i think it had to do with the alternative market, not St Louis.
- Fountain-San

I know. The NHL blocked it.....and the team almost contracted the next year.

OMG....the NHL is saving the Yotes....That must be a great market!!!

Correct.

The US owners wanted no part of allowing a franchise to relocate to Saskatoon.

Because 92.6% of Americans have no idea what a Saskatoon is.

And I don't blame them.
- Atomic Wedgie

Huge mistake by the NHL. All those players missing teeth.....they would have been cultural icons in Saskatoon.

Before this is brought up (as it always is): CDN dollar is not usually worth 65 cents on the US dollar as it was in the mid and late 90s. That was an all-time low. It's usually some place between the .85 and .99 cents that it is today. To say "well that could easily happen again" is tantamount to asserting that economic disaster in Canada is more likely than the economic status quo.

This thread is going to be a hit factory...

Correct.

The US owners wanted no part of allowing a franchise to relocate to Saskatoon.

Because 92.6% of Americans have no idea what a Saskatoon is.

And I don't blame them.
- Atomic Wedgie

honestly, i think the number is much, much higher. outside of a few thousand ppl scattered around the ND/Montana border, i can't imagine who else has heard of Saskatoon.

Why does the NHL keep trying to have hockey teams in failed markets? It didn't work before why would it now????

Case in point Atlanta.
- cuethenoise

Québec is not a failed market. Our arena was too old and Bettman said if we don't build a new one, the Nordiques will move. We didn't build a new one and the Nordiques moved to Colorado. Now we're ready to have a team back!

honestly, i think the number is much, much higher. outside of a few thousand ppl scattered around the ND/Montana border, i can't imagine who else has heard of Saskatoon.
- DoubleDown

You can immediatly strike off all the dentists from that total.

My guess is the NHL would argue that adding two teams in strong markets strengthens the finances of the league.

I'm not saying I agree with it, but...
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah I considered that angle. It seems to me that Bettman or anyone is kidding themselves if they think the NHL will permanently be above 30 teams. But maybe its more bulk revenue. I mean, if they're paying for Phoenix anyways...

There is barely enough talent to field the 30 teams now, why add 2 more? Move PHX and Columbus. 1 to QBC the other to Seattle.
- sammy87

Bingo

Correct.

The US owners wanted no part of allowing a franchise to relocate to Saskatoon.

Because 92.6% of Americans have no idea what a Saskatoon is.

And I don't blame them.
- Atomic Wedgie

similar to a husky or malamute, correct?

Huge mistake by the NHL. All those players missing teeth.....they would have been cultural icons in Saskatoon.
- stormey

Eklund: Quebec Announcement Coming? 32 Teams?
- Eklund

Look at that. Ek makes an article that doesn't include the Flyers and finds a way to mention them

He wanted out because the Team was a money pit. It was almost moved to Saskatoon but you are right the NHL blocked it. However after that they almost contracted.

If you are trying to tell me that they were a money making franchise in the 70's and 80's, you're delusional.
- stormey

They still don't make money.

Yeah I considered that angle. It seems to me that Bettman or anyone is kidding themselves if they think the NHL will permanently be above 30 teams. But maybe its more bulk revenue. I mean, if they're paying for Phoenix anyways...
- Morris

Well the league has continually grown since the previous CBA....and now the new CBA puts more money in the owners pockets.

I think that growth can continue (especially considering the bounceback from the lockout) and don't really think 32 teams is out of the relam of possibility. Quebec, Seattle, maybe Markham or KC all are potential locations. You get rid of maybe the Yote and perhaps a team in Florida and things could be ok.

I don't see this for another 10 years or so. I think short term the Yotes move to Quebec or Seattle.

Other places where NHL teams have failed:

Philadelphia
Brooklyn
Denver
Ottawa
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
- Atomic Wedgie

Since our foundation we've got 3 cups and the Leafs, NONE. Fail!Time to move the Leafs to Kansas City or Alaska.

contract fla, phx, col, and take your pick down to seattle and quebec. 28 > 32.

contract fla, phx, col, and take your pick down to seattle and quebec. 28 > 32.

Since our foundation we've got 3 cups and the Leafs, NONE. Fail!Time to move the Leafs to Kansas City or Alaska.
- Orpik44

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...tsburgh_Pirates_%28NHL%29
he wasn't insulting you.

I'm not the one who bringed that first.
- Supernick

i was just kidding bud. all good.