Man, it would suck for the fans of 6 teams, but it would be a godsend for those other 24. Could you imagine the talent on the teams? 80 puds that shouldn't be in the NHL are gone, now teams will have 2 sometimes 3 legit lines. It'll be more parityish (my own word) than the salary cap. Speaking of which, profits would be up so the Cap would go up. The richer teams wouldn't have to bail out the bottom same teams year in and year out. Oh the games that would be played...granted the Leafs would still be poop, as it's their destiny....but man.

Phoneix-this doesnt deserve an explanation.
Nashville-decent fan base, not good enough for top 24 though.
Florida-fans dont seem to care even when team is on the playoff bubble.
Buffalo-financially by then i think itll be an issue, team has to be a winner for fan base to care.
Columbus-read above.
Los Angeles-two teams in Cali instead of three now.

I don't get why people knock the Stars. Its not like those who are in Dallas don't go to games, seeing as more often than not the ACC seems filled, despite being in a football 1st basketball 2nd area.
- keslover17

not the fan base, i did mine just on location and travel. once you axe the 6 teams it will make every other team that much better. winning draws fans, if you were to trade the hawks for the islanders the islanders would start selling games out.

Is that why they're in financial trouble?
- duxcup07

No, it's because the whole country is in financial trouble.

EDIT: Damn you for making me DEFEND THE DALLAS STARS!!!!

North East North West
Montreal Calgary
Ottawa Edmonton
Toronto Vancouver
Buffalo Chicago
Boston Minnesota
New York Rangers Detroit

Atlantic Pacific
Tampa Bay San Jose
Philadelphia Colorado
New Jersey Dallas
Washington Los Angelas
Pittsburgh St-Louis
Carolina Anaheim

Based on different facts: Atlanta, Pheonix, NY Isles, Florida, Nashville and Columbus would exit the league.

Atlanta - Next to no fan base... Extremely hard to sell hockey tickets even more than south Florida!
Pheonix - Not an hockey market!
NY Isles - Will never be able to match the passionate fans of the Rangers therefore no place for a 2nd market.
Florida - While Tampa has a good fan base, it's been tough on the Panthers these last few years (probably from lack of success)
Nashville - This one is a gamble... I think it has potential due to location.
Columbus - I had a hard time taking them out because Ohio could be a very strong place for hockey but they havn't made money since they where an expension franchise.

Yes there is a place for hockey in non-traditional markets... Dallas, Anaheim, LA, San Jose are all proof of that!

The game will grow it these market, let it!
- nhlscout_2000

I like the north/south conference would even out travel a bit

florida, atlanta, NYI, TB, phoenix, and dallas
- EvgeniNabokov20

Ok I get the first 5 but Dallas doesn't make any sense... They are a model franchise that has an incredible fan base!

My "Wild Card" is the Los Angeles Kings. LA doesn't need 2 teams, and the Ducks have won a Cup.
- BluesFan44

LA and Anaheim are not the same town. If you lived around southern California, the mere thought of getting in your car and driving from LA to Anaheim would make your think about killing yourself. Way, way too much traffic. People from LA would not drive to Anaheim on a consistent basis.

LA and Anaheim are not the same town. If you lived around southern California, the mere thought of getting in your car and driving from LA to Anaheim would make your think about killing yourself. Way, way too much traffic. People from LA would not drive to Anaheim on a consistent basis.
- thebige

People from LA aren't driving to LA on a consistent basis!!!

(Oh, and the Angels think it's the same town... ;-) )

Phoneix-this doesnt deserve an explanation.
Nashville-decent fan base, not good enough for top 24 though.
Florida-fans dont seem to care even when team is on the playoff bubble.
Buffalo-financially by then i think itll be an issue, team has to be a winner for fan base to care.
Columbus-read above.
Los Angeles-two teams in Cali instead of three now.
- mochoson

ok here is my real list.... nashville, florida, the ducks, atlanta, carolina, and the islanders/ new jersey/ tampa (you pick)

phoenix, atlanta, columbus, florida, carolina, detroit. yeah detroit, because as soon as they stop winning cups, nobody is going to be showing up to games. dallas gets an exception because we're lucky enough there's only one team in texas as it is.

Shawn Gates: "What if...?" #1: What if the NHL Contracted to 24 Teams?
- shawn_gates

Great idea - does Gary get to pick the 24?

phoenix, atlanta, columbus, florida, carolina, detroit. yeah detroit, because as soon as they stop winning cups, nobody is going to be showing up to games. dallas gets an exception because we're lucky enough there's only one team in texas as it is.
- fattyboubatty

ha ha a classic bitter blues fan

1. ATL- Been going down in Attendance % last few yrs. ( worst last year )
2. Phoenix- Obvious reasons
3. Florida Panthers- 2 Florida teams....come on 1 of them has to go.
4. NYI- This one I didnt want to put in here, I only did cause there attendance has been one of the worst in the NHL as of late.....I think they will have there attendance go up due to Taveres.
5. Colombus- Due to lack of success in recent yrs, and attendance was low last season. ( yes i know they made playoffs last year )
6. Colorado- I think they should go because I think Quebec was a great place for them. Not that Denver isnt but Quebec is the better fit imo.

P.S. Yes I am a Nashville fan but and I know alot of u will call me biass, but I live in Nashville and I see how hockey is growing extremley quick here. After we almost lost our team attendance has begun to rise and lots more Nashvillians, and other Tennesseeans are become hockey fans.

I hope I am wrong about some of these teams listed above as well, like some of u r to Nashville

1. ATL- Been going down in Attendance % last few yrs. ( worst last year )
2. Phoenix- Obvious reasons
3. Tampa Bay- 2 Florida teams....come on 1 of them has to go.
4. NYI- This one I didnt want to put in here, I only did cause there attendance has been one of the worst in the NHL as of late.....I think they will have there attendance go up due to Taveres.
- A Radulov 47

who are your last 2?

phoenix, atlanta, columbus, florida, carolina, detroit. yeah detroit, because as soon as they stop winning cups, nobody is going to be showing up to games. dallas gets an exception because we're lucky enough there's only one team in texas as it is.
- fattyboubatty

And why is that? Detroit has a strong fan base! And they also have a strong Canadian fan base being on the Canadian border...

Florida
TB
Atlanta
Columbus
Phoenix
Nashville

And why is that? Detroit has a strong fan base! And they also have a strong Canadian fan base being on the Canadian border...
- nhlscout_2000

just wait till 2015. they cant even sell out playoff games now. it only seems like they have a strong base because they get all the bandwagon fans.

Columbus
Nashville
Phoenix
Florida
Caroline
Atlanta

Great idea - does Gary get to pick the 24?
- Canada Cup

He can if you want him to...

id much rather see a move to winnipeg again. and possibly a move to Seattle/Las Vegas.
either way. itll get a team like Detriot in the east where they belong.

Move Minny outta the NW, becuz you should be in the North West to be in that div.
Move Atl into a more hockey market.

just wait till 2015. they cant even sell out playoff games now. it only seems like they have a strong base because they get all the bandwagon fans.
- fattyboubatty

OK.... dude... Blues fan to fellow Blues Fan....

I know you hate the Red Wings. I do too. All Blues fans do. I get it. Really. But c'mon... Bandwagon??? Really?!?!? They've only been on this little run for A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!!!

Let's be reasonable. You're a Blues fan... you're smarter than that...

just wait till 2015. they cant even sell out playoff games now. it only seems like they have a strong base because they get all the bandwagon fans.
- fattyboubatty

do some research

North East
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Buffalo
Boston
New York Rangers

North West
St-Louis
Edmonton
Colorado
Detroit
Minnesota
Chicago

Atlantic
Tampa Bay
Philadelphia
New Jersey
Washington
Pittsburgh
Carolina

Pacific
San Jose
Anaheim
Calgary
Los Angelas
Dallas
Vancouver

Based on different facts: Atlanta, Pheonix, NY Isles, Florida, Nashville and Columbus would exit the league.

Atlanta - Next to no fan base... Extremely hard to sell hockey tickets even more than south Florida!
Pheonix - Not an hockey market!
NY Isles - Will never be able to match the passionate fans of the Rangers therefore no place for a 2nd market.
Florida - While Tampa has a good fan base, it's been tough on the Panthers these last few years (probably from lack of success)
Nashville - This one is a gamble... I think it has potential due to location.
Columbus - I had a hard time taking them out because Ohio could be a very strong place for hockey but they havn't made money since they where an expension franchise.

Yes there is a place for hockey in non-traditional markets... Dallas, Anaheim, LA, San Jose are all proof of that!

The game will grow it these market, let it!
- nhlscout_2000

Calgary would be in the North West, Colorado would go to the Pacific

Florida, Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville and Long Island (assuming they don't have a building) are the obvious choices.

My "Wild Card" is the Los Angeles Kings. LA doesn't need 2 teams, and the Ducks have won a Cup.

I wanna give Columbus a chance -- they're on the upswing, and could prove to be a good market still.
- BluesFan44

The Light House is coming...

who are your last 2?
- thecaptain1919

1. ATL- Been going down in Attendance % last few yrs. ( worst last year )
2. Phoenix- Obvious reasons
3. Florida Panthers- 2 Florida teams....come on 1 of them has to go.
4. NYI- This one I didnt want to put in here, I only did cause there attendance has been one of the worst in the NHL as of late.....I think they will have there attendance go up due to Taveres.
5. Colombus- Due to lack of success in recent yrs, and attendance was low last season. ( yes i know they made playoffs last year )
6. Colorado- I think they should go because I think Quebec was a great place for them. Not that Denver isnt but Quebec is the better fit imo.

P.S. Yes I am a Nashville fan but and I know alot of u will call me biass, but I live in Nashville and I see how hockey is growing extremley quick here. After we almost lost our team attendance has begun to rise and lots more Nashvillians, and other Tennesseeans are become hockey fans.

I hope I am wrong about some of these teams listed above as well, like some of u r to Nashville