Blackhawkswincup
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In order of when team joined market!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The markets league went to in 90's and 00's. Grade there progress and how you see there future.
1-San Jose (Fans A-, On ice success B+, Future A)
San Jose has had a great fanbase since coming into the league and has fielded many Cinderella teams (94 and 95) and good all around teams (00's teams). I see this franchise continuing its playoff runs and being a perennial cup contender for foreseeable future.
2-Tampa Bay (Fans B-, On Ice Success B, Future A-)
TB has struggled through much of its history but even during its horrid years still would draw respectable and has for last 4 years been one of US hockey's best cities. They won a cup and over last 4 seasons have been playoff team. Before that was dark times but recent success has helped solidify them as respectable franchise. They should continue to draw well and have helped cement there place as a long term success and should continue to do well in TB area.
3-Ottawa (Fans B, On Ice Success A, Future B)
They have been the best at fielding competitive teams since expansion age came to an end (93-96). But at times there fans haven't been as supportive as other Canadian teams. They do have a solid fan base and a good team so the future looks bright for them. Plus they are no longer limited by Toronto's hold on Ontario hockey's fanbase. (Early 90's many in Ottawa area still were fans of Toronto and Montreal since they grew up Toronto or Montreal fans.)
4-Dallas (Fans A+, On Ice Success A+, Future A+)
The move of North Stars was a major disappointment but in Dallas team has built great fanbase and the Franchise has reached a level of success that they never had in Minnesota. Should continue to be one of US hockey's best cities. They will need to retool though as they are getting a bit long in the tooth as far as players go.
5-Florida (Fans C-, On Ice Success C, Future C)
They have drawn good crowds when successful but when they aren't fielding playoff team they draw very little. The team has had limited success in NHL (96 Finals the high point). The team only has a good future in Miami area due to 30 year lease that will be hard to break. Will continue to be up and down with fans until a long term successful stretch of playoff and cup caliber teams is established. They might not be to far off but they have a history of letting promising teams fall apart.
6-Anaheim (Fans B-, On Ice Success B, Future A-)
They have drawn respectable to great crowds during there entire existence in NHL. The Cup should help solidify there standing in LA-Ana area. They have fielded good teams but also some mediocre ones. But they are the 1st of the expansion teams to make it to 2 finals. 1-1 aint bad in there short history. They should continue to draw great with good team they have built and that will only help there long term success.
7-Colorado (Fans A+, On Ice Success A+, Future A+)
They were moved to city and have built a legacy of success and now have the #2 fanbase in Denver area. They have only missed playoffs once since moving there and even then it was close. Should continue on as one of hockey's premier franchises.
8-Phoenix (Fans D, On Ice Success C, Future C)
The novelty carried this team thru its early years along with having talented teams. But since franchise has fallen off map both on the Ice and off it. Team has struggled with attendance and has been in constant rebuilding for last half decade. A new arena is a bright spot but until team fields a legit cup contender it will be hard to see Phoenix as anything else other than a disaster.
9-Carolina (Fans B-,On Ice success B, Future B)
The initial move out of Hartford was a disaster as Greensboro didn't support them one bit. The move to Raleigh helped alot and the cup run has grown there fan base. They are 1-1 in the Finals and have several division titles. They are looking more and more like a long term hockey market each year. Should continue to grow hockey in Carolina's.
10-Nashville (Fans B-, On Ice Success B-, Future C)
The casual fans have not been a problem for this franchise (The lower bowl prices are always sold out). But lack of Corporate support, Lack of marquee fan base (Rich fans who buy the expensive seats on regular basis) and Lack of a permanent ownership hurts this team bad. They could still prove to be a success long term, but until there future is resolved they will continue to struggle. KC or Ontario here they come?
11-Atlanta (Fans B-, On Ice Success C, Future B-)
They have drawn respectable crowds since there establishment and last 2 years have seen some on ice progress (GM might have screwed that up though). With continued on ice success the teams potential can only grow. They already are outdrawing the Hawks (NBA) by significant numbers and the Metro City population offers great potential for the market.
12-Columbus (Fans A, On Ice Success F, Future B-)
They have a great fanbase but that could be a risk due to the continued struggles of franchise. They need a playoff appearance soon. The franchise cant afford 3 or 4 more years of struggle. They have a great arena, good sized city and large fan base but they are a team in danger because of poor product on ice.
13-Minnesota (Fans A, On Ice Success B-, Future A)
Hockey should never have left Minnesota but it did (Good thing in long run as Stars are great success). NHL fixed its mistake and fans have been great. But only 2 playoff appearances is not an impressive feat. They should continue to get better on ice and should be around NHL in Minnesota forever (Hopefully)
The markets league went to in 90's and 00's. Grade there progress and how you see there future.
1-San Jose (Fans A-, On ice success B+, Future A)
San Jose has had a great fanbase since coming into the league and has fielded many Cinderella teams (94 and 95) and good all around teams (00's teams). I see this franchise continuing its playoff runs and being a perennial cup contender for foreseeable future.
2-Tampa Bay (Fans B-, On Ice Success B, Future A-)
TB has struggled through much of its history but even during its horrid years still would draw respectable and has for last 4 years been one of US hockey's best cities. They won a cup and over last 4 seasons have been playoff team. Before that was dark times but recent success has helped solidify them as respectable franchise. They should continue to draw well and have helped cement there place as a long term success and should continue to do well in TB area.
3-Ottawa (Fans B, On Ice Success A, Future B)
They have been the best at fielding competitive teams since expansion age came to an end (93-96). But at times there fans haven't been as supportive as other Canadian teams. They do have a solid fan base and a good team so the future looks bright for them. Plus they are no longer limited by Toronto's hold on Ontario hockey's fanbase. (Early 90's many in Ottawa area still were fans of Toronto and Montreal since they grew up Toronto or Montreal fans.)
4-Dallas (Fans A+, On Ice Success A+, Future A+)
The move of North Stars was a major disappointment but in Dallas team has built great fanbase and the Franchise has reached a level of success that they never had in Minnesota. Should continue to be one of US hockey's best cities. They will need to retool though as they are getting a bit long in the tooth as far as players go.
5-Florida (Fans C-, On Ice Success C, Future C)
They have drawn good crowds when successful but when they aren't fielding playoff team they draw very little. The team has had limited success in NHL (96 Finals the high point). The team only has a good future in Miami area due to 30 year lease that will be hard to break. Will continue to be up and down with fans until a long term successful stretch of playoff and cup caliber teams is established. They might not be to far off but they have a history of letting promising teams fall apart.
6-Anaheim (Fans B-, On Ice Success B, Future A-)
They have drawn respectable to great crowds during there entire existence in NHL. The Cup should help solidify there standing in LA-Ana area. They have fielded good teams but also some mediocre ones. But they are the 1st of the expansion teams to make it to 2 finals. 1-1 aint bad in there short history. They should continue to draw great with good team they have built and that will only help there long term success.
7-Colorado (Fans A+, On Ice Success A+, Future A+)
They were moved to city and have built a legacy of success and now have the #2 fanbase in Denver area. They have only missed playoffs once since moving there and even then it was close. Should continue on as one of hockey's premier franchises.
8-Phoenix (Fans D, On Ice Success C, Future C)
The novelty carried this team thru its early years along with having talented teams. But since franchise has fallen off map both on the Ice and off it. Team has struggled with attendance and has been in constant rebuilding for last half decade. A new arena is a bright spot but until team fields a legit cup contender it will be hard to see Phoenix as anything else other than a disaster.
9-Carolina (Fans B-,On Ice success B, Future B)
The initial move out of Hartford was a disaster as Greensboro didn't support them one bit. The move to Raleigh helped alot and the cup run has grown there fan base. They are 1-1 in the Finals and have several division titles. They are looking more and more like a long term hockey market each year. Should continue to grow hockey in Carolina's.
10-Nashville (Fans B-, On Ice Success B-, Future C)
The casual fans have not been a problem for this franchise (The lower bowl prices are always sold out). But lack of Corporate support, Lack of marquee fan base (Rich fans who buy the expensive seats on regular basis) and Lack of a permanent ownership hurts this team bad. They could still prove to be a success long term, but until there future is resolved they will continue to struggle. KC or Ontario here they come?
11-Atlanta (Fans B-, On Ice Success C, Future B-)
They have drawn respectable crowds since there establishment and last 2 years have seen some on ice progress (GM might have screwed that up though). With continued on ice success the teams potential can only grow. They already are outdrawing the Hawks (NBA) by significant numbers and the Metro City population offers great potential for the market.
12-Columbus (Fans A, On Ice Success F, Future B-)
They have a great fanbase but that could be a risk due to the continued struggles of franchise. They need a playoff appearance soon. The franchise cant afford 3 or 4 more years of struggle. They have a great arena, good sized city and large fan base but they are a team in danger because of poor product on ice.
13-Minnesota (Fans A, On Ice Success B-, Future A)
Hockey should never have left Minnesota but it did (Good thing in long run as Stars are great success). NHL fixed its mistake and fans have been great. But only 2 playoff appearances is not an impressive feat. They should continue to get better on ice and should be around NHL in Minnesota forever (Hopefully)
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