Now logically one doesn't try to sell a fleece winter coat to someone lying on a tropical beach, but wherever you think there's a potential to develop a market, you do it.
All valid points, though drawing a parallel between the automotive sector, product qualitiy & dealership locations to sports properties doesnt compute; those stairs dont reach my attic.
The NHL's history of expansion, the WHA merger & relocations' have, in virtually every single instance been "reactive" as opposed to being "proactive". All of it based more on who can pony up franchise fee's, staving off anti-trust threats, what best benefits the insiders etc as opposed to any marketing, regional or geographic rationale. Purely Financial. Happenstancial. Planned & loosely based on the NBA model by Ziegler & a few power brokers within the BOG's back in the 80's.
Rather than consolidating their bases through a concerted & planned effort to truly grow the game & sink deep foundations that can withstand the trials & tribulations of a fickle fan base & erratic economy, franchises awarded via chequebook marketing. The owners left to their own devices without oversite. Aide programs eventually established which in many many cases are completely insufficient to stem the flowing of red ink. A flawed CBA. Strategically & theoretically I have absolutely no problem with the number of teams & locations weve' arrived at, purely by accident. For sure several teams should be moved, however, I sincerley believe hockey can work in Texas, Arizona, Florida etc. We cant turn back the clock. Anathema to the current non-contractionist regime. As a hockey purist, traditionalist & yes,
ELITIST, I support the ideal of teams south of the Mason-Dixon, Southwest, California & to be perfectly candid, would support same in Mexico City & eventually Sao Paulo in terms of a Pan-North American League. European, far eastern (including Australia & NZ) divisions.
A lot of work to be done to get their, fix whats busted, doable. First, we take Manhattan.