Same deal. Expansion team being good ASAP is good long run for the league.I wonder how the expansion draft would play out. Some teams might think VGK got too good of a deal, given how they managed to stockpile a whole lotta draft picks while fielding a competitive team.
Then explain who else is going to pay 650m for expansion for #32? What the NHL may consider doing is not what is actually going to happen. We have no building now to house a team if one moves. And it would be stupid to have 2 or more lame duck season then move a team. Again what happens if Seattle's arena is delayed that's another year added to the 2 lame duck seasons.
Vegas already had an arena (I believe) to temporary house a team if they had a relocation instead of expansion.
The NHL is leaving themselves an out in case its a relocation instead of expansion (doubtful) or a team isn't granted at all if things go south.
I would like to make it clear that I am not arguing with you. I am just trying to make sense of what that says. I think that the reading between the lines tells us that Bettman is threatening an AZ move, even though he has to keep plausible deniability.
In that event, there may not be a team 31. I just don't know. I'm just trying to understand Dreger. That's all.
another team? is there really enough players for this?
I would rather the 8pm pacific time zone start than the 6pm central time zone start playing divisional opponents. Also I think we should be with van, and by extension Seattle, la, Anaheim, sj, lv and the coyotes. Lots of Oilers fans in Vancouver, and many who would travel to Seattle. Love seeing the kings, ducks and sharks as well and think we mutually benefit each other.More:
Take a look at your alignment and look at it as 4 divisions (or, as I think will happen: Conferences). What do you see?
Pacific: All PTZ teams, PLUS Colorado
Central: All CTZ teams, PLUS Calgary and Edmonton
Never mind the east for now. What you have written down is one of the common Western re-alignments for a Seattle expansion. There would really be NO need to break that further. In fact, I submit the idea that breaking it into 4x4 in the West is WORSE. It's certainly worse for Minnesota. Only American franchise in that division. I think your 4x4 in East and West is a non-starter. There has literally been NO communication from the league indicating any desire to do that. Meanwhile, there has been lots of communication from the league with the idea of 4 8-team conferences.
Assuming Arizona stays, you either get what you have posted, or you get Arizona and Colorado trading places with Calgary and Edmonton.
But, like others have said, it's 3 years out at least. Arizona might relocate. Calgary is at an impasse with their city government. Who knows what might happen? Hey, the easiest thing might happen: AX>HOU, in which case the alignment issue is trivial.
I was hoping a team would relocate there instead of expand, I feel like Quebec deserves the expansion team here.
But all that aside, congrats Seattle, really happy for you guys.
Yea, Quebec not having a team is clearly all Gary Bettman's fault.I feel like I should be pissed about that as a Quebec City guy, but I do not care anymore. The ship has sailed. Gary can rot in hell.
Congrats Seattle people. I hope you will enjoy your new team.
Yea, Quebec not having a team is clearly all Gary Bettman's fault.
Lets completely ignore facts.
Yea, Quebec not having a team is clearly all Gary Bettman's fault.
Lets completely ignore facts.
And also ignore what Bettman's actually job is. Its in my opinion to do what's best interest in the league to where they can grow the league and Seattle is the last major region (pacific north west in general) that they have not tapped yet. It's not the comissioner's job to appease people its his job to appease his boss' which are 31 owners.
Wait, because you are upset, I am not allowed to point out the reason why you are upset is false?
Explain the facts why QC is being denied a team. Apparently they were willing to pony up half a billion dollars.
They can grow the league in QC too. Also can grow the game. QC would also be a top revenue team.
I feel like I should be pissed about that as a Quebec City guy, but I do not care anymore. The ship has sailed. Gary can rot in hell.
Congrats Seattle people. I hope you will enjoy your new team.
My 2¢, with Seattle
Pacific Division: Anaheim, Arizona, Colorado, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas
Central Division: Calgary, Chicago, Dallas, Edmonton, Minnesota, Nashville, St Louis, Winnipeg
Perhaps, we're overlooking the most obvios reason why Quebec was not invited to apply.....they already have an active application.
Even if they were not going to expand there, they still accepted an application to vet them and have them ready if needed in short notice.
With that in mind, am I only the only one surprised that Houston wasn't invited to apply either?
Let's be real, NHL is only looking at Houston as a relocation site.Perhaps, we're overlooking the most obvios reason why Quebec was not invited to apply.....they already have an active application.
Even if they were not going to expand there, they still accepted an application to vet them and have them ready if needed in short notice.
With that in mind, am I only the only one surprised that Houston wasn't invited to apply either?
Doesn't that increase travel costs for Calgary and Edmonton?