the theory of adding 2 more teams will "dilute the talent pool" in the NHL is absolute bunk. There are 4th liners with more talent now than most first liners from 2 decades ago.
the theory of adding 2 more teams will "dilute the talent pool" in the NHL is absolute bunk. There are 4th liners with more talent now than most first liners from 2 decades ago.
Yes, that's not really a valid argument. Sure, there are reasons against expansion, but that's not one of them.
the theory of adding 2 more teams will "dilute the talent pool" in the NHL is absolute bunk. There are 4th liners with more talent now than most first liners from 2 decades ago.
No wide landscape equals no interest outside your small markets equals no big deal.
Yes, it is.
whats happening? AMERICANIZATION.
Wrong assumption Haymaker. I dont watch regular season games on TV; catching the highlights post game. The seasons' too long, their are too many teams, just on & on.... Bores me to tears quite Frankly.
I do belive that we will see a 32 team NHL. within the next 10 years & here is what i see happening 4 relocations along with 2 expansion team
4 out of 7 will relocate
Coyotes
Thrashers
Panthers
Islanders
Blue Jackets
Predetors
Posible cites for expansion & relocation
Winnipeg
Hamilton
Quebec City
Portland
Seattle
Kansas City
Cleveland
I don't agree with that.
If you had written "MONETIZATION" instead, I'd be giving you two thumbs up.
The league isn't chasing Americans, it's chasing money. If Bettman became convinced the pot of gold was in London, you can bet your fanny teams would be playing a transatlantic schedule within 2 years.
The other thing to point out - if you want the wide-open glory days of Gretzky back - expand the league to 40 or more teams, toot de sweet.
I'd like to hear an explanation for this.
I don't agree with that.
If you had written "MONETIZATION" instead, I'd be giving you two thumbs up.
The league isn't chasing Americans, it's chasing money. If Bettman became convinced the pot of gold was in London, you can bet your fanny teams would be playing a transatlantic schedule within 2 years.
The other thing to point out - if you want the wide-open glory days of Gretzky back - expand the league to 40 or more teams, toot de sweet.
Personally, I'd love to eventually see expansion to Houston and WinningPeg. then, I'd like to see this alignment structure take place.
Eastern Conference
North
Montreal
Ottawa
Boston
Buffalo
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
NJ Devils
Toronto
South
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Washington
Columbus
Carolina
Atlanta
Tampa
Florida
Western Conference
North
Detroit
Chicago
Minnesota
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
Winnipeg
St. Louis
South
Colorado
Nashville
Dallas
Houston
Phoenix
Los Angeles
Anaheim
San Jose
Two conferences of 16 teams...Each having 2 divisions of 8 teams. Top 2 in each division make the playoffs, other spots filled as wild cards in order of most points. highest division winner faces lowest wild card and so on.
If the league contracted, I think you'd find scoring go down even more.
this is...... why do the mods deny people the right to bring up the POSSIBLE American bias of the NHL and its governing body? Why can't that be brought up? it's a legitimate issue that deserves discussion. There has to be a reason that the original NHA was 100% (ya, your talking what, 1916?) Canadian, the first season of the NHL was 100% Canadian, the O6 league was 33% Canadian, but today the league is only 20% Canadian. whats happening? AMERICANIZATION. what other word can you use? simply stated, there are a growing number and proportion of American based clubs, and a declining amount and proportion of Canadian based clubs. If the trends continue is it possible that there will be no Canadian clubs in the future? I believe it to be within the realm of plausibility, much to my horror.
this is...... why do the mods deny people the right to bring up the POSSIBLE American bias of the NHL and its governing body? Why can't that be brought up? it's a legitimate issue that deserves discussion.
there has to be a reason that the original NHA was 100% Canadian, the first season of the NHL was 100% Canadian, the O6 league was 33% Canadian, but today the league is only 20% Canadian. whats happening? AMERICANIZATION. what other word can you use? simply stated, there are a growing number and proportion of American based clubs, and a declining amount and proportion of Canadian based clubs.
If the trends continue is it possible that there will be no Canadian clubs in the future? I believe it to be within the realm of plausibility, much to my horror.
With all due respect Deislrae, that is just so wrong on so many levels I'm almost at a loss to know where to begin. Look, Im as "Old School" as they come, but to suggest some evil cabal of American interests has somehow hi-jacked the NHL is just hilarious, early 20th century & provincial to extremes. Why not just form a Canadian only pro league with teams from Halifax to Victoria?. See how that flys' with the Habs, Leafs, Sens, Oil, Flames & Canucks?. I guess Im just different, because I ignore the 49th parallel and look at it as a North American dealeo', not a Canada vs. USA thing at all in anyway shape or form. We need them & they need us. Its a 2 way street for goodness sakes. Are you seriously suggesting that we, the Toronto's & Ottawa's, Winnipegs & Quebec City's cant compete on the stage, on the ice & in the boardrooms with our American Cousins?. This attitude that the balance favors the US is just totally incorrect. And thats all I have to say about that.
I agree. You'd end up with a lot more ice time for Selke-types - I'd expect scoring to go down the toilet.