#1 Copps is probably comparable to the Igloo at this point in time, so it would work as a temporary home.
#2 Kitchener - Waterloo is probably in a better position than Winnipeg for a team. The population of the immidiate area Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge is 440,000 compared to Winnipeg at 619,000 are close, and the surrounding "TV" area is MUCH, MUCH bigger (potentially 6-7 million people). And a properly placed building on the 401 would be under 40 minutes from Mississauga (pop 695,000) and 45 minutes from Hamilton (pop 714,000), and would be easier traffic wise to get to from those locations than the ACC in downtown Toronto.
Not only that, but RIM has a vested interest in making Waterloo a more "interesting city". The other RIM guy is chancelor of the university AND invested $200 million for a world class Physics research center. The other tech companies in the town (and RIM) would surely love an NHL team when recruiting employees.
Now, the biggest hurdle is the lack of a buidling. I don't see this happening any time soon, but its not as funny as it seems at first glance.
First and foremost, the league will not allow Pittsburgh to be moved until its certain that the team will not work there, which means no slot licence. Say what you want about Bettman, but, he has always pushed for teams staying put. He was very adamant during the bankruptcy of the Sens that the team was not to be moved, and if someone bought it with that intention, that the league has the right to revoke the franchise. But, if there is no new arena, all bets are off.
I think if KW is considered for the franchise, the concept will be that it is a second Toronto team. With New York essentially holding 3 teams in its greater metropolitan area, a second Toronto team can be feasible, although, with some major issues to resolve first.
1) Terrortorial rights. I haven't read this whole thread, so, I don't know how much of this has been discussed, but, the owner has apparently put together a legal case that would permit him to challenge the NHL's terrortorial limits, that could allow a team like the Leafs or Sabres to challenge him having a team in Kitchener-Waterloo based on proximity.
2) Corporate Support. This has been an issue for Hamilton getting a franchise. While KW has a strong tech sector, achored by RIM, it's not enough of a corporate base for an NHL team, which needs its corporate clients. The problem with having a second team in the greater Toronto area, is that the new team may be considered an inferior product. The Leafs brand is extremely strong. Any company that partners with the KW franchise risks having their team as being viewed as a small-time player, that can't afford the good box seats at the ACC, and has gone the discout route. Will it be the equivalent of wining and dining your client at the Denny's, rather than four-star steakhouse?
3) Location. RIM has its roots in Waterloo, and if he is going to move the team, there is going to be a desire to keep it close to his other real estate holdings to increase their value. Unfortunately of the Kitcher-Waterloo-Cambridge area which has seen major growth, Waterloo is the farthest from the 401. Cambridge is the ideal location in terms of accesing the surrounding markets, particularly the GTA.
4) Television Rights. While the legal battle on terrortorial rights may give him the ability to move the franchise there, it may not guarantee him anything in terms of TV market. I envision an ugly mess that would have to be sorted out, with blackouts preventing overlapping regions. The television market for KW would be tiny. They'd get their immediate area, and that's it. If people in the GTA can't watch many games, it will be hard to convert them into fans.
