I think Winnipeg could get a new NHL franchise, along with Quebec City, but not before Kansas (unfortunately) and other American Cities. Hopefully we can start regaining some of the Canadian teams, as well as adding a few cities.

I do not like the way the NHL is thinking. Yes certain American cities have 4, 5 or even 10 million people more than some other Canadian cities, but it doesn't mean that all millions, or even 20,000 people will like Hockey where it is placed. Where as you have a Canadian city that has a population of 1 million, would die for hockbut 99.9% of the people there ey. It would make more sense to set up where hockey is more in demand.

It takes on average 20-30 thousand people to fill up an arena, and most American cities don't do that on a regular basis. Where as almost all the Canadian teams have sellout crowds on a regular basis.

Don't be surprised to see Toronto get a second team.

Habtastic

Hamilton won't get a team, because then Toronto would want a pro team, too.

Okay, seriously, Hamilton falls within the veto of two NHL teams.  Buffalo or Toronto can say no, and that would be the end of the discussion.  Although, there is talks of building a new arena that would fall just outside both of their (Toronto and Buffalo) "rights" (I think the distance is 75km radius) to get a team.

24 Rings wrote:

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I just thought that they are pretty sports hungry and there is a large population base. Buffalo might as well just relocate the team to S. Ontario.  They haven't been drawing them in there for years.

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jeanthehabtiste wrote:

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24 Rings wrote: Hamilton would be a more likely destinatin than either the Peg or Quebec.  I would say the Peg could support a team, but with the shaky political situation in Quebec and the provincial election looming they aren't ever getting a team back. Quebec City deserves a team just for the mere reason of the history through the area. I would love to see a resurgent name for the franchise as the "Bulldogs", or of course the "Nordiques".

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Oh, don't get me wrong, I would love to see a team in Quebec. That rivalry was amazing (not to mention those jerseys!!!). I just don't think it is possible with the current situation.

jeanthehabtiste wrote:

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Can pro hockey return to Manitoba? Will Pittsburgh implode under it's own financial weight and end up the second story of the Jets in Western Canada? What are the chances and do you approve?  -- Edited by jeanthehabtiste at 21:38, 2006-02-14 -- Edited by jeanthehabtiste at 21:41, 2006-02-14 -- Edited by jeanthehabtiste at 21:42, 2006-02-14

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West Coast Habs Fan wrote:

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 The only thing is I thought I read somewhere that they have already invested in building a new arena that only held around 12,000 seats.  If this is true it not nearly enough.

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Nil d wrote:

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West Coast Habs Fan wrote:  The only thing is I thought I read somewhere that they have already invested in building a new arena that only held around 12,000 seats.  If this is true it not nearly enough. The new arena, the MTS Centre, holds 15.015 for hockey (I just looked it up).  Still, not nearly enough for an NHL teram, unless they have a disproportionate number of corporate boxes.  I don't know why they couldn't have put 18,000 seats in there from the start!

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