Which Cities Would You Add/remove Franchises From?

[29Dryden29]

Thing is, if any of the 3 teams left, you wouldnt see many transfer to the other 2 teams. You would see some, but not many. And it would be worse for the islanders/Devils. I think the distance is enough that if either left, almost none would transfer. Some might become Ranger fans, strictly to be a fan of a local team, but thats it.

Losing Tampa would be a major mistake. Unlike Atlanta (and I am not sure on the other 2), hockey has gotten a strong foot hold here in the Bay area. And when the team has good ownership and management, like it seems to have now and like it had under former owner William Davidson, the forum is packed. Not just with snow birds, but locals. Now when you have the abominations we had for owners in between, then you get teams that end up fighting for first round picks and crappy attendance.

And I can tell you first hand, there is excitement about this year's Lightning team. Meanwhile, I think the panthers are deciding who to go with when they get the first or 2nd overall pick next summer.

Well I had to pick on Florida team and it was a flip of the coin so for benefits sake then we lose the Panthers they have sucked for far too long.

[js2]

Are there people who would watch the Devils play if the Islanders were relocated to, say, Quebec City?

What?

[beaubie]

What?

This was the quote he was responding to.

That's a good point. How are the Islanders managing? It seems that New Jersey and the New York Islanders always have attendance issues. I wonder if it weren't for NJ constantly making the post-season would they also be in money trouble?

So, regarding the attendance issues, if the Islanders were relocated to Quebec would more people watch the Devils. Which my personal answer to is no. Probably not.

[HabGirlYVR]

Of all the struggling teams, the only one I really hope is NEVER moved is the NY Islanders. That team - unlike all the others - has a fine tradition and history. It's as significant a name in the league's annals as any other dynasty.

[ColRouleBleu]

So, regarding the attendance issues, if the Islanders were relocated to Quebec would more people watch the Devils. Which my personal answer to is no. Probably not.

there wouldn't be more people watching the devils but surely more people would be watching the islanders

[beaubie]

there wouldn't be more people watching the devils but surely more people would be watching the islanders

I'm going to go with what I think you mean and if it is that, then you are certainly right.

[Larry-Launstein-Jr]

sending them to louisville could be a bad idea but the only other option is to shrink the league, i rather see if cites (albeit not exactly showing interest NOW) would somewhat show interest if a team were to show up, kansas city already wants a team and seattle (despite having no money as you say) is a potential hockey hotspot.

baseball/football teams thrive in warm summer areas, since seattle is cold and damp like vancouver, hockey seems like a decent choice for their city.

if you have any better cities, feel free to reply

Lest anyone forget, Kansas City actually had an NHL team at one time, the expansion Scouts, who came into the NHL at the same time as the Capitals. They did not make it there, and moved to Colorado (Rockies - not to be confused with baseball), and are now the New Jersey Devils.

Moving the Islanders and Devils would be a mistake, since both have established some tradition, and have won some Stanley Cups.

That being said, I think contraction rather than large-scale expansion, is the order of the day for me. And I would favor these moves:

Phoenix back to Winnipeg - The revival of the Jets would be good for the NHL. Perhaps Bobby Hull could spearhead that one.

Atlanta to Cleveland - the only reason hockey did not make it in Cleveland was because they inherited the very poor Oakland (California, California Golden) Seals.

Florida to Seattle - Seattle has a hockey history, with the old Metropolitans winning a Cup, and playing that infamous 1919 tie with the Canadiens that was called due to the Spanish Influenza epidemic. And a potentially great rival to Vancouver.

Teams to cut - and some you may not like, but please hear me out:

Edmonton - They haven't done a whole lot since letting Gretzky go. And they have had very bad teams and repeated financial problems.

Anaheim - too many teams in California.

Nashville - Another Deep South that has struggled.

At this time, there are only two areas I would consider expanding into, and that's Hartford and Quebec City. Some of the less healthy franchises can get better in a hockey hotbed instead of an American outpost where people don't either follow hockey or understand it. You can keep two teams in California, one in Florida, and one in Texas, but move some of the others to hockey areas where they may have a chance.

[Mathradio]

Is Cleveland even a place for hockey?

[Nine1One]

Anaheim - too many teams in California.

Why would you cut the only californian team to have even won the cup?

[FlHabsFan]

Is Cleveland even a place for hockey?

Especially with Columbus Ohio already having a team.

Why would you cut the only californian team to have even won the cup?

I really think very few people are doing research. They just want to cut teams or move them where they want to see them. They could care less about anything else. Like the one who said to cut tampa. They had no reason to pick Tampa. Their excuse was the need to lose a Florida team, so they just picked one.... Picked the team that has actually won a cup and fields a decent, though under achieving, team.

[29Dryden29]

Especially with Columbus Ohio already having a team.

I really think very few people are doing research. They just want to cut teams or move them where they want to see them. They could care less about anything else. Like the one who said to cut tampa. They had no reason to pick Tampa. Their excuse was the need to lose a Florida team, so they just picked one.... Picked the team that has actually won a cup and fields a decent, though under achieving, team.

That was me and I stand by my choice to move or delete a team from the sunshine state. I don'rt care which both tend to be a drain on the entire NHL. Neither does well in attendance and both struggle on the ice so it really is a flip of the coin for me as to which one goes.

[FlHabsFan]

So lets just move a team. Doesnt matter why. Lets take them out of a big market and move them to where cows outnumber the people.

[Rondalsf]

So lets just move a team. Doesnt matter why. Lets take them out of a big market and move them to where cows outnumber the people.

Sounds like home to me.

[29Dryden29]

Sounds like home to me.

They would probably do better in Sask actually atleast people know and love the game there moreso than the sunshine state. I have seen how the fans support the Rgina Pats and the Blades etc so I think an NHL team in Sask would do well.

[Nine1One]

Especially with Columbus Ohio already having a team.

I really think very few people are doing research. They just want to cut teams or move them where they want to see them. They could care less about anything else. Like the one who said to cut tampa. They had no reason to pick Tampa. Their excuse was the need to lose a Florida team, so they just picked one.... Picked the team that has actually won a cup and fields a decent, though under achieving, team.

Ya, and hockey is picking up down hear i've seen at least 20 kids at my school sporting jersey's this year a few years ago only maybe 1 or 2. I still think florida should be moved though. How about you?

[Rondalsf]

They would probably do better in Sask actually atleast people know and love the game there moreso than the sunshine state. I have seen how the fans support the Rgina Pats and the Blades etc so I think an NHL team in Sask would do well.

We don't have enough people or venue for a team to survive.

[Kubby31]

Sounds like home to me.

[FlHabsFan]

Ya, and hockey is picking up down hear i've seen at least 20 kids at my school sporting jersey's this year a few years ago only maybe 1 or 2. I still think florida should be moved though. How about you?

Moving a bad team wont make it better. It just means new scenery and a name change.

[29Dryden29]

Moving a bad team wont make it better. It just means new scenery and a name change.

Hmm the Leafs seem to do ok and they have had terrible teams for decades lol.

[FlHabsFan]

Hmm the Leafs seem to do ok and they have had terrible teams for decades lol.

And moving them would make the team play better? Thats the point I was trying to make. Moving a team doesnt make them play better. You could move the Panthers anywhere in the world. If they keep the same owners, coaching & players, they are still going to be bad. And even using your point. If the leafs cannot ice a good team with all the ticket and merchandise sales they get, then how would moving a team to a small community in another province be any different? If you cant build a championship in the hotbed of hockey, then how do you build one in BumbleF*** east? You move the panthers or any other team you guys want to move, to any of the cities you say you want a team, then you just have the Florida Panthers playing in a different city with a different name.

[29Dryden29]

And moving them would make the team play better? Thats the point I was trying to make. Moving a team doesnt make them play better. You could move the Panthers anywhere in the world. If they keep the same owners, coaching & players, they are still going to be bad. And even using your point. If the leafs cannot ice a good team with all the ticket and merchandise sales they get, then how would moving a team to a small community in another province be any different? If you cant build a championship in the hotbed of hockey, then how do you build one in BumbleF*** east? You move the panthers or any other team you guys want to move, to any of the cities you say you want a team, then you just have the Florida Panthers playing in a different city with a different name.

The thing you are missing is even a non compeative team in the Peg will outdraw what the Panthers draw or in Hamilton or in QC it is about the fans and the love of hockey you are missing. In the cities mentioned people love hockey especially NHL hockey. They come out and support the team and the owner starts to make money and it is one less team sucking money out of the rest of the teamsvia rev sharing. The owners starts to have more money to actually afford top talent and then you can have a decent team. Something the Leafs still fail to see lol mind you in Toronto they are all sheep and will follow along regardless and don't often say much about it.

[FlHabsFan]

I guess we should forget all those years when the Canadian teams were the ones losing money for the NHL, and it was the US teams making the difference up? Like the economy in general, it ebbs and flows. Taking a team out of an area and moving it to a much smaller area, wont help. Sure, you might see big sales for a year or 2. But once the newness wears off, youll see attendence start to dwindle. Especially in a new town.

[29Dryden29]

I guess we should forget all those years when the Canadian teams were the ones losing money for the NHL, and it was the US teams making the difference up? Like the economy in general, it ebbs and flows. Taking a team out of an area and moving it to a much smaller area, wont help. Sure, you might see big sales for a year or 2. But once the newness wears off, youll see attendence start to dwindle. Especially in a new town.

Well neither Quebec City or Winnipeg are new cities and Hamilton will support a team probably at some extent to the dismay of the Sabres but meh I really don't care about Buffalo. Hell even move them to Hartford I would love to see the Whalers come back into the fold. So those are not really new markets. as for Canadian franchises if they begin to slip or like what happened to the Sens fold em up and move em or just close em up all together. I am not above any franchise moving for greener pastures and that includes our beloved HABS.

[FirstStar]

Well neither Quebec City or Winnipeg are new cities and Hamilton will support a team probably at some extent to the dismay of the Sabres but meh I really don't care about Buffalo. Hell even move them to Hartford I would love to see the Whalers come back into the fold. So those are not really new markets. as for Canadian franchises if they begin to slip or like what happened to the Sens fold em up and move em or just close em up all together. I am not above any franchise moving for greener pastures and that includes our beloved HABS.

Not sure how old you are, but I've been watching the sabres/habs battles for over 30 years. I'd rather keep a team that has a history than drop a team in Hamilton or Vaughn.

I'm not really against certain cities having teams, more about states... I don't think florida needs 2 teams. Hockey fans are few in Florida, make just one team instead of splitting up an already thin fan base. Same for California... Do we really need 3 teams in California. I'd like to drop/relocate one, you have the kings in LA and the sharks in the north of california (San Jose), I feel that's enough.

Anything around NY, NJ is fine... They have the right climate for hockey(as well as fans) and if it wasn't for mis-management, I feel all 4 teams could survive. Isles have had it the hardest, but that has more to do with mis-management and long island and less to do with their fan base.

[29Dryden29]

Not sure how old you are, but I've been watching the sabres/habs battles for over 30 years. I'd rather keep a team that has a history than drop a team in Hamilton or Vaughn.

I'm not really against certain cities having teams, more about states... I don't think florida needs 2 teams. Hockey fans are few in Florida, make just one team instead of splitting up an already thin fan base. Same for California... Do we really need 3 teams in California. I'd like to drop/relocate one, you have the kings in LA and the sharks in the north of california (San Jose), I feel that's enough.

Anything around NY, NJ is fine... They have the right climate for hockey(as well as fans) and if it wasn't for mis-management, I feel all 4 teams could survive. Isles have had it the hardest, but that has more to do with mis-management and long island and less to do with their fan base.

I have been watching the HABS since I was born and that was back in 69 so 41 years a HABS fan for me. For me I have no allegiance to a state city or province. I love the HABS nowadays I cheer for teh team not the players. Once upon a time I was a fan of specific players on our team but not for many many years. I now cheer just for the name on teh front the name on teh back changes frequently so I do not follow specific players anylonger. As for the HABS Sabres I have been to the old Aud and the HSBC and honestly while I like our hookups with the Sabres I wouldn't care if they were gone either.