13 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Gary Bettman downplays fears

http://espn.go.com/n...elocation-fears

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman downplayed the threat of the Oilers moving to Seattle on Tuesday as the Edmonton mayor predicted that an NHL team in Seattle wouldn't sell out its games.

The team's lease at aging Rexall Place is set to expire in 2014, and Oilers owner Daryl Katz and other officials were in Seattle on Monday for meetings about a possible relocation.

[BSLMikeLowe]

My prediction: The Coyotes end up in Seattle.

[Oriole85]

My prediction: The Coyotes end up in Seattle.

Rather see that than Edmonton. NHL needs more NOT less teams in Canada.

[DJ MC]

We're in an era where teams move to Canada, not away. I bet we see the Coyotes and Islanders in Seattle or Quebec or Hamilton or Toronto long before we see another Canadian team move.

[Oriole85]

We're in an era where teams move to Canada, not away. I bet we see the Coyotes and Islanders in Seattle or Quebec or Hamilton or Toronto long before we see another Canadian team move.

Are we counting Seattle in Canada? And does Toronto get two teams?

[DJ MC]

Are we counting Seattle in Canada? And does Toronto get two teams?

Close enough

And yes, I think Toronto does. They could support a second team, and everything I see suggests that while the Maple Leafs own that town nobody actually likes them

[Oriole85]

Close enough

And yes, I think Toronto does. They could support a second team, and everything I see suggests that while the Maple Leafs own that town nobody actually likes them

Aren't the territory rules that would prevent Baltimore from getting a team, making it tough for that to happen with Toronto?

[BSLMikeLowe]

Aren't the territory rules that would prevent Baltimore from getting a team, making it tough for that to happen with Toronto?

I don't know what they are, but the anti-trust laws in Canada could go much further in either preventing or allowing the NHL to relocate a team in Toronto than they do in the US. Also, if they decide to put a team in the southern reaches of the Toronto metro (like Hamilton), you can also expect resistance from the Buffalo Sabres.

[Oriole85]

CBS Sports: Leafs CEO doesn't see second team in Toronto, still envisioning parade

 

http://www.cbssports...isioning-parade

 

First, the qualifier: Leiweke isn't speaking truths or revealing trade secrets here, he's merely giving his opinion on the matter. Surely a well-founded opinion.

Regardless, this would be approximately clue No. 947 that Seattle and Quebec City are the most likely desitinations for the NHL's inevitable expansion in a matter of years (debate whether it should happen all you want but in the current alignment 32 teams works a heck of a lot better than 30). Quebec is in the process of building an arena while they have the plans, they just need the teams to start in Seattle.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I've have, and will, remain a strong proponent of relocation rather than expansion for the NHL. But playing devil's advocate, if they expand to Seattle and Quebec, what team moves to the West to balance the conferences? I guess Detroit would head back West, although in the recent realignment both the franchise and the league made a big deal about wanting them in the East because of travel and being based in the Eastern Time Zone.

 

Also, shortly after the Coyotes reached their deal with Glendale it became public that Portland made a serious overture to lure them here. If expansion happens, I would not be surprised to see them throw their hat in the ring. Unlike Seattle, Portland already has an arena....and it sounds like Chris Hansen isn't interested in building his arena only to house an NHL team, he wants the NBA.

[DJ MC]

I think this expansion could work if another team (Florida) moves. Either they move to Quebec and the expansion is in the Pacific Northwest, or they move to Seattle and you do a two-conference expansion.

[Oriole85]

CBS Sports: NHL rumors: Is Las Vegas No. 2 on potential expansion list?

 

http://www.cbssports...-expansion-list

[DJ MC]

CBS Sports: NHL rumors: Is Las Vegas No. 2 on potential expansion list?

 

http://www.cbssports...-expansion-list

 

Oh, I highly doub...wait, Bettman is still in charge? Hell, how do they not have three teams there already?

[Oriole85]

CBS Sports: Oilers reach agreement with city on arena, slated to open in fall of 2016

 

http://www.cbssports...in-fall-of-2016

 

On Tuesday the organization announced that after a final meeting with the city of Edmonton, the project to build Rogers Place -- with its oil drop design -- in downtown has been given the clearence. Construction will begin next month and the arena should be completed by the fall of 2016 to officially take over as the host of the Oilers.