I'd put Alaska and Vegas under "questionable", myself. Another team in Toronto wouldn't be favorable in the NHL's eyes either, methinks. The ticket sales would be fine, but I imagine that market is pretty well tapped otherwise.
- BulliesPhan87

What about Idaho and New Mexico? Greatness at its finest.

I would love the Flyers to have the success the New Jersey Devils have had the last 17 years with winning 3 Stanely Cups. I respect the organization and the hard nose approach from Lou.
I do think it's sad they don't have a solid "selling out every night" fan base. That's where I thinks its funny and sad to have a parade in the parking lot.

The Devils as whole organization deserve a better location and bigger fan base.

anyway....

Flyers need regroup and get two points on Tuesday.

What about Idaho and New Mexico? Greatness at its finest.
- stveshdy

I can see it now, the big NHL.com headline: "Fear struck into hearts of Western Conference teams, Idaho Potatos join Central Division"

I can see it now, the big NHL.com headline: "Fear struck into hearts of Western Conference teams, Idaho Potatos join Central Division"
- BulliesPhan87

Perfect. Who wouldnt want to play in Idaho? I dont think they have one pro team in that state. Only college teams.

I would love the Flyers to have the success the New Jersey Devils have had the last 17 years with winning 3 Stanely Cups. I respect the organization and the hard nose approach from Lou.
I do think it's sad they don't have a solid "selling out every night" fan base. That's where I thinks its funny and sad to have a parade in the parking lot.

The Devils as whole organization deserve a better location and bigger fan base.

anyway....

Flyers need regroup and get two points on Tuesday.
- phi1671

I think they do themselves a disservice with the way the lower bowl is priced there. Everything between the dots is premium. The upstairs is usually full of a raucous and intense bunch. But the lower is half empty and the people there are largely people who have clearly been given the tix and have no idea what is going on. Also, they are in the bars getting free food refills all through the game.

So it would be automatic that those places would have a better fan base then the Devils? Toronto already has a team.
- MJL

Toronto is already building a new arena in hopes to get another team, though the owner of the arena denies it... But no, there are no guarentees, but we know 1 thing... the Devils dont draw in Jersey... I can't speak to other cities, but it would benefit the league to try new locations for teams like New Jersey and Phoenix... Remeber the league shares revenues... So if these teams cant draw, it hurts every team..

Perfect. Who wouldnt want to play in Idaho? I dont think they have on pro team in that state. Only college teams.
- stveshdy

It's only a matter of time before the Idaho Blue Jackets Potatos are a reality.

Weird day in here

Toronto is already building a new arena in hopes to get another team, though the owner of the arena denies it... But no, there are no guarentees, but we know 1 thing... the Devils dont draw in Jersey... I can't speak to other cities, but it would benefit the league to try new locations for teams like New Jersey and Phoenix... Remeber the league shares revenues... So if these teams cant draw, it hurts every team..
- RooNosHockey

At the end of the day, they do have to consider finding a way to make those teams profitable, which could very well mean relocation. It is understandable, though, that the relocation process is a difficult one filled with resistance.

It's only a matter of time before the Idaho Blue Jackets Potatos are a reality.
- BulliesPhan87

I like the Idaho Spuds better.

Weird day in here
- funmaster18

So, business as usual then?

I think they do themselves a disservice with the way the lower bowl is priced there. Everything between the dots is premium. The upstairs is usually full of a raucous and intense bunch. But the lower is half empty and the people there are largely people who have clearly been given the tix and have no idea what is going on. Also, they are in the bars getting free food refills all through the game.
- bodiva88

^^100%. The Fire & Ice bars are one of the (few) worst ideas that went into designing this arena. On paper, it's a great amenity to have, but during the 1st and 2nd periods, a good 75% of the lower bowl center ice fans are in their getting FREEEEE FOOD. It obviously opens our fanbase up to the attendance jokes by people who only watch the games on TV. By 3rd period (when the bar is closed), it finally looks like there's a crowd there.

Perfect. Who wouldnt want to play in Idaho? I dont think they have one pro team in that state. Only college teams.
- stveshdy

The Steelheads play in Boise.

I like the Idaho Spuds better.
- RooNosHockey

Brilliant!

Yep. That's about the size of it. Important lightweight boxing action on CSN that night.
- Jsaquella

See, even Comcast knows how boring Devils games are and that the ratings will be poopty.

Nope, they should be looking at other Cities that could support the team, maybe Alaska, Seattle, Vegas, Quebec, Toronto, Maybe Hartford....
- RooNosHockey

the City of Alaska, brings back good memories.

^^100%. The Fire & Ice bars are one of the (few) worst ideas that went into designing this arena. On paper, it's a great amenity to have, but during the 1st and 2nd periods, a good 75% of the lower bowl center ice fans are in their getting FREEEEE FOOD. It obviously opens our fanbase up to the attendance jokes by people who only watch the games on TV. By 3rd period (when the bar is closed), it finally looks like there's a crowd there.
- Marc87

It's certainly a nice deal, especially since you can get the tix under face on StubHub even for a Flyers game. But I don't like the whole idea of bulking up an already premium location (because of the sight lines and the proximity to the ice) with stuff that puts nonfans in those seats. It's the same problem I have with the Diamond Club at the Phils. The seats behind home plate have too many people who are drifting back for the food and bevvies and who have no real interest in the game. I used to sit in that area in the Vet and it was hard core fans.

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.

At the end of the day, they do have to consider finding a way to make those teams profitable, which could very well mean relocation. It is understandable, though, that the relocation process is a difficult one filled with resistance.
- BulliesPhan87

I think that when you look at relocation you have to ask yourself 2 things...

1. Does this team draw fans when they are winning?

2. Can ownership be found that can make the team profitable?

If you can answer No to either question then it's time to move the team.. For example. The Islanders have like 0 fan base like NJ... But they have involved ownership... and if they win, the fan base comes back... All they really need is a new stadium and to draw a few repectable UFAs.

the City of Alaska, brings back good memories.
- wilsonecho91

Nome? Juneau? Anchorage? Wouldn't be hard keeping the ice good, would it?

I'd put Alaska and Vegas under "questionable", myself. Another team in Toronto wouldn't be favorable in the NHL's eyes either, methinks. The ticket sales would be fine, but I imagine that market is pretty well tapped otherwise.
- BulliesPhan87

there is no way Anchorage could support an NHL team. The college team and the Aces both pull great attendance (when they are doing well), but they play in a 6000 person arena. There are a lot of corporations with $ up here but the population just couldn't support it in my mind.

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

Right. It's the Flyers fans. Not the guys dressed in full Devils gear, including everything but skates. THOSE guys drive me away.

there is no way Anchorage could support an NHL team. The college team and the Aces both pull great attendance (when they are doing well), but they play in a 6000 person arena. There are a lot of corporations with $ up here but the population just couldn't support it in my mind.
- wilsonecho91

Agreed.

Nome? Juneau? Anchorage? Wouldn't be hard keeping the ice good, would it?
- bodiva88

The Bering Sea Deadliest Catches!

Nome? Juneau? Anchorage? Wouldn't be hard keeping the ice good, would it?
- bodiva88

I can already envision the whiny Philly media tweeting about trying to get into or out of Nome. And the fact that Dr. Pepper costs about $5+ a can and is from 1989.