Bicycle Repairman
Registered User
Calgary and Edmonton. Despite having mature markets with adequate fanbases, there's little room for further growth. Both franchises will continue to struggle financially even in a best case-scenario new NHL.
Based on what? The growth in attendance 4 years running and mostly sellouts down the stretch of last year? Oh, I'm sorry, it's based on "only" 30,000 showing up for the parade. Yeah, who cares that their average attendance last year would sell out a lot of buildings in the NHL, what a sucky fanbase!Mr.Hunter74 said:Yes I still think Tampa doesn't have great fan support despite tehy were sold out for the playoffs. I dont think very many people went to there Stanley Cup parade.
Nobody ever cuts any slack to, say, Florida for having an arena in the middle of nowhere. I'd guess that most every team arena is something of a hassle to get to, why is it an excuse only for NJ? I drive over an hour each way to go to games, and I know people who drive 2-3 hours each way. If you really want to go, you go. I sympathize with bad traffic and hassle, and a different location might help, but in most places, people will come out for a winner regardless.Rabid Ranger said:You don't think the fact the Meadowlands is in the middle of nowhere is a big reason why attendance suffers?
Rabid Ranger said:You don't think the fact the Meadowlands is in the middle of nowhere is a big reason why attendance suffers?
well you know - i wouldn't even want to say because each team has had their moment of greatnesstgallant said:There has been a lot of discussion about contraction on these boards because of the lockout situation... This poll is not meant to discuss the pros and cons of contraction so please do not get into that debate here...
My question is, IF the NHL did vote to contract only 1 team, what NHL team do you feel is in the worst "hockey market"?
tgallant said:My list does not necessarily reflect my own personal beliefs... Look at my message history on issues related to the viability of Columbus as a hockey market and you will see that although i initially thought Columbus would flop, that I truly think they have an excellent market now...
My list was compiled based off of opinions that I've heard around these boards... I've heard several people mention both Columbus and Nashville as non-hockey markets so that is why they are on this list... I don't agree with it (particularly Columbus) and the proof is in the pudding... They are barely getting any votes...
you forget - we are hockey fans - ( country music too )Sir Ozzie X said:To be fair, half of the boards are made up of Canadians that probably couldn't find Columbus or Nashville on a map. That's not really a jab, I probably couldn't find Moose Jaw or some other city with a funky name.
i like you guys - nash is awesome - we like sanderson here in vancouver - i understand he will be going back to you -jacketracket said:I begrudgingly accept the rationale behind putting Columbus on this list.
But take a look at the attendance figures. We've done everything possible, short of actually putting on skates and taking the ice in an attempt to breath some life into a team that fails to show up half the time.
17,600 a night, over 4 years, to watch last-place hockey. 2 of every 3 games played at Nationwide are played in front of a sold-out crowd.
This market is one of the better-kept secrets in the league, and it will probably remain that way until the team starts to win.
Nash and Zherdev....mr gib said:i like you guys - nash is awesome - we like sanderson here in vancouver - i understand he will be going back to you -
thinkwild said:Jackets look to be another fantastic expansion success story and a perfect NHL market. Do you suspect the problem facing the Jackets is that they arent signing enough UFAs. That they need more money to spend? I dont think so. It takes time.
Karmanos was looking at Minnesota before hand and didn't get a deal he liked.WHurricane16 said:Wow, this topic could have went south but I guess everyone kept a level head this time. I'm still seeing alot of ignorant statements by people who don't live in those regions, but oh well.
Also, let me defend my team for a sec:
1. Hartford/Carolina was, and always will be a Mickey Mouse organization. The day they get it right will be the day I eat my own ass.
2. Attendance was brutal for two factors: telecommunications market being hit hard (layoffs to the biggest backbone of this market) and the team playing sucktastic (loser) hockey.
3. Far from some of your silly notions on how life is in the market, I swear to you there are many transplants from other regions living in the Triangle.....I swear! LOL
4. Also far from some of your silly notions on how life is in the Southern markets: we aren't a bunch of gun-toting, tobacco chewing, NASCAR loving, Jeff Foxworthy praising, toothpick swallowing, cousin bumping, uneductated bunch of hicks. Stop watching the crap on tv.
The only reason we have hockey in Carolina is a stroke of luck anyway. Karmanos, Sr. knew about the market through dealings wih Compuware and his son (the Canes VP and also has a position in Compuware) played minor league hockey here. They were scoping the joint out as soon as they bought the Whalers? I need to find that out, because I never really cared to find out...
Sotnos said:Nobody ever cuts any slack to, say, Florida for having an arena in the middle of nowhere. .
What exactly do you mean by further growth? (more money for the the players?)Bicycle Repairman said:Calgary and Edmonton. Despite having mature markets with adequate fanbases, there's little room for further growth. Both franchises will continue to struggle financially even in a best case-scenario new NHL.
T@T said:What exactly do you mean by further growth? (more money for the the players?)
I hate to get personal and without fear of being banned from these forums it's safe to say your a total "nitwit"..how in hell can you say two of the most hockey crazy citys in Canada don't belong in the NHL?? Edmonton is pushing 800k and Calgary is pushing close to a mil in population,both citys are growing faster than any other major city in Canada and most people in these two citys absoluty love the game and support their teams as good or better than any other team in the league. Calgary this past spring proved without a dought that success in the playoffs can not only bring a city alive but bring hope for other "so called smalled markets" in the whole league.
That Sir was a very Pejorative Slured comment for you to make
I've seen Bicycle Repairman post numerous times on the Flames and Oiler boards and I am pretty sure he's a Flames fan so your American bashing is probably unwarranted. I don't think his argument had anything to do with us not deserving a team just the financial aspect, fact of the matter is almost every year both teams are net money losers. Edmonton + Calgary both have great die-hard fan bases and sell out very often, the question is does either team have a large enough fan base/population to absorb a hike in ticket prices to a level where it might actually be profitable for the owners (heaven forbid) without a significant drop in attendance figures, personally I have my doubts. Oiler brass have gone on the record saying without significant altercations to the CBA the team is not economically viable in our market and Calgary has incurred similair losses so if we go they should not be to far behind, their owners do have deeper pockets then Edmonton's but generousity usually does have its limits.Kravitch said:Apperantly if a team is located in a Canadian city most Americans couldnt point out an a map, they don't belong in the NHL (Edmonton, Clagary, Ottawa).
I would like too see how many Tampa fans knew Calgary was even in Canada before the finals started.
(Ok, that was a cruel jab. But I have heard of various fans who didn't even know Calgary was in Canada according to I believe, The Globe and Mail.)
What really pisses me off is the the NHL has always talked about expansion in Kansas and Houston, two terrible markets and ignoring a deserving city like Winnipeg. Dispite Winnipeg has a brand spanking new arena that is fully capable of renovations.
People say southern US fans get treated like dirt. Well, Canadian fans don't get treated much better nowadays.
ofhdhdy said:Easily the Carolina Hurricanes. Horrible team, horrible fans, and horrible location.
Yeah, we're all stupid down here buddy. Keep it up.Kravitch said:Apperantly if a team is located in a Canadian city most Americans couldnt point out an a map, they don't belong in the NHL (Edmonton, Clagary, Ottawa).
I would like too see how many Tampa fans knew Calgary was even in Canada before the finals started.
We certainly do on this fricken' board. Case in point, your post.People say southern US fans get treated like dirt.
:troll:ofhdhdy said:Easily the Carolina Hurricanes. Horrible team, horrible fans, and horrible location.
As much as I'd LOVE to see NHL hockey back in Winnipeg, I can't see it happening unless the new economic structure of the NHL is VASTLY different from the current one... Winnipeg financially isn't a viable option for the NHL without drastic changes... Which is extremely said, because man, what a great hockey market...Kravitch said:What really pisses me off is the the NHL has always talked about expansion in Kansas and Houston, two terrible markets and ignoring a deserving city like Winnipeg. Dispite Winnipeg has a brand spanking new arena that is fully capable of renovations.