Aren't the Canes on life support?
Would tanking even be an option?
People don't seem to understand that you can't just tank one or two years and you'll be like the Leafs in the upswing.. they have to keep moving forward and hope they get better. There's a young foundation to build upon.
- Arctic_AARDVARK
I think people hear that Karmanos is willing to sell and believe that it means he is desperate. The fact is that he is merely listening. The Canes were valued by Forbes in November '16 at $230M and were only $160M in 2010. Historically, the Canes have a value change increase of around 8% a year since 1999 based on Forbes. According to Forbes, he only paid $48M to purchase them...I'd say he's doing just fine.
The other aspect about relocation that no-one talks about is that an expansion franchise cost $500M. Essentially, Karmanos won't even consider an offer that isn't on par with that cost. In fact, almost two weeks ago this came out
"When asked about the Forbes list, Karmanos questioned the validity of that calculation. “Two years ago they said the Islanders were worth $240 million”, Karmanos laughed, “yet, they sold for somewhere between $490-$520 million.”
This is the best article I have seen: [url]
http://www.wralsportsfan....-the-hurricanes/16481894/
If I was a potential owner and I knew that it was going to be around $500M regardless of buying an existing or expansion franchise, I would want an expansion. You are able to decide which players you want and have much more control over the salaries and players. When you buy an existing one, you are buying someone else's bad decisions/good decisions, etc.
As for the market and potential: Raleigh leads the US in metropolitan growth and is projected to do so until 2025. It has three of the nations highest education ratios per capita too with Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. In addition, they have the highest PHD's per person in the US. Raleigh is one of the leading medical, agricultural and engineering spots in the US and is growing at a rapid pace.
The point is, there are jobs, high proportions of educated individuals and money that are coming in and will continue to do so at rates higher than almost anywhere in the US. I actually wrote an article in November talking about the market and why I'm not concerned about relocation, feel free to check it out:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=80770
As for tanking, I'm not suggesting that they intentionally tank. They haven't been trying to tank all year, yet are only 3 points from 3rd worst in the NHL. I just don't think this is the year to invest in going to the playoffs-if the Canes make a move that is big, it needs to be about future, not short-term is my point.
By selling some of the veterans (Hainsey, Stalberg, Murphy, Tennyson, McClement), the Canes are able to call up some younger talent and evaluate them (Zykov, Fleury, Mckeown, etc.). The youngsters are given the "sink or swim" test. If they exceed expectations and make the playoffs, that's great. If not, no harm and everyone was able to grow by getting some NHL experience and learning what it's like to be in a playoff race.
I also think that the Canes are in a better position to make moves at the NHL draft this summer-they have 5 picks in the top 90. Right now, the Canes are focused on how do we make this franchise a contender for years on years-not just the occasional "feel good" 8th seed playoff birth.