Well, if the NHL expands...don't look for Toronto to get another team

[ckg927]

Then again, wags would say "Toronto actually needs a team first before they get a SECOND team".

There was talk sometime ago that a new arena would be built in the Toronto suburb of Markham. But it looks like that plan is about to be torpedoed before a shovel is even put into the ground....

http://www.sportsnet.ca/sports/nhl/report-markham-arena-plan-could-be-dead/

[JATMtheJATM]

seattle and quebec are next. my thinking is, if quebec gets a team, detroit goes back west.

[OpIv37]

I'd take a Quebec expansion team over Detroit in the div in a heartbeat.

But the NHL shouldn't be thinking expansion. They should be thinking relocation.

[JATMtheJATM]

I'd take a Quebec expansion team over Detroit in the div in a heartbeat.

But the NHL shouldn't be thinking expansion. They should be thinking relocation.

with the 16/14 format, the idea is clearly to eventually be 16/16. quebec and seattle seem like the best bets. ive even heard whispers of a seattle team NEXT year.

[Skooby]

Paul Allen will be in on the Seattle deal I bet.

[OpIv37]

Bettman's a moron. The league is watered down as it is and teams like Pheonix, Carolina and the Florida teams can't draw. I know they want the conferences to be even but the much smarter thing would be to move a couple of those teams to cities that give a **** about hockey.

[JATMtheJATM]

Bettman's a moron. The league is watered down as it is and teams like Pheonix, Carolina and the Florida teams can't draw. I know they want the conferences to be even but the much smarter thing would be to move a couple of those teams to cities that give a **** about hockey.

the phx situation is messed up. the city pays for the losses the team nets. tax payer money.

[Crisis]

I really hope the Coyotes don't move, they're the easiest way for me to see the Sabres in person.

[JATMtheJATM]

they have an opt out clause in 5 years. many think that when that opt out clause is up, theyll close up shop in PHX.

[DetDannyWilliams]

seattle and quebec are next. my thinking is, if quebec gets a team, detroit goes back west.

According to Mitch Levy (http://www.sportsradiokjr.com/pages/Mitch_in_the_Morning.html), a talk show host for Seattle radio station KJR, Bettman is pushing for an expansion team (https://twitter.com/kjrmitch/status/362421032826576896) that would begin play in the city in the 2014-15 season. Levy reported via Twitter on Tuesday that Bettman is "encouraging" the NHL's Board of Governors to grant Seattle a franchise. http://dy.snimg.com/story-image/6/48/4514040/171586-330-0.jpgKeyArena would have to host an NHL team until a new downtown arena is built in Seattle. (AP Photo)
Expansion, though, is far from a sure thing. There at least two big contingencies, according to Levy: finding a solid ownership group and maintaining progress on the construction of a new arena in downtown Seattle near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field. http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-07-31/nhl-expansion-seattle-gary-bettman-phoenix-coyotes-board-of-governors

[ckg927]

Let's HOPE that Seattle doesn't stay long at KeyArena if the NHL comes. That arena already caused one hockey team to get out of town(the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds decamped for the suburb of Kent because, quite frankly, the renovations that made it more palatable for the Sonics really stiffed the T-Birds).

[JATMtheJATM]

Let's HOPE that Seattle doesn't stay long at KeyArena if the NHL comes. That arena already caused one hockey team to get out of town(the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds decamped for the suburb of Kent because, quite frankly, the renovations that made it more palatable for the Sonics really stiffed the T-Birds).

that was by design. the owner (allen?) didnt want the possibility of a competing NHL team coming into key arena. if seattle was announced to get an NBA or NHL team tonight? shovels would be in the ground minutes later. they are starving.

[Homegrown]

NHL Expansion? ... 32 teams, 90 reg games, 24 playoff teams, Stanley Cup finals in August ... can't wait

[JATMtheJATM]

NHL Expansion? ... 32 teams, 90 reg games, 24 playoff teams, Stanley Cup finals in August ... can't wait

it wont go up past 84 games (where it was prior to the 94 lockout).. and my guess is thats even a long shot. but 32 teams seems to be the cap where the NHL wants to be.