Truth & Rumors > NHL

Canadian economy favoring expansion?

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Once an economic albatross blamed in part for the failures of the Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques, the ascending Canadian dollar is suddenly enriching Canadian-based clubs, single-handedly increasing NHL revenues and crafting a new financial argument for more NHL hockey in Canada. "A host of southern U.S. cities might now be more likely to lose their NHL teams," said Andrew Zimbalist, an eminent sports economist based in Massachusetts who testified on behalf of Jim Balsillie in his recent failed bid to purchase and move the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton. "Canada becomes that much more attractive."

Toronto Star

Gary Bettman, Getty Images Gary Bettman, Getty Images
October 29, 2009  09:06 AM ET

First, delete and incarcerate G. Ari 'the impediment' Buttmeister.

October 29, 2009  09:14 AM ET

It's not going to happen on his watch.

October 29, 2009  09:17 AM ET

"Canada becomes that much more attractive."
Of course we are the the most attractive country in the world thanks to the likes of Elisha Cuthbert and Shania Twain

October 29, 2009  09:49 AM ET

Since when is he interested in what happens in Canada?

October 29, 2009  10:05 AM ET

I think Bettman is a moron and a tool, but their is also the chance he has been very smart about how he has handled the deman for more NHL hockey In Canada.

In the US there is little deman in a lot of those southern markets, but he is trying to grow the game thier, wether that works or not remains to be seen. But in Canada, there really was no way to grow the game more, except to give the people and enemy to rally against. If you look back over the last 10 years, Ottawa almost went Bankrupt, the oilers were about to move several times, the Flames struggled with attendace and play for a lot of years, but now there is a huge deman, all the teams are doing well, he actually found a way to grow the NHL game in popularity in Canada. wether it was intential or not is another question, but you now have more Canadian markets then ever ready to handle NHL hockey.

I still can't stand the jerk myself though.

October 29, 2009  10:14 AM ET

Canada is attractive right now, but if the canadian dollar went down to .60 against the american dollar, all those expansion teams would leave again. The expansion fee and all of the upstart costs of creating a team don't make sense when bringing a team to Canada, the best way and most realistic way is to have a floundering team move here. Unfortunately Gary is not realistic.

October 29, 2009  10:22 AM ET

The best thing for the NHL would be to relocate a few sunbelt teams to Canadian cities. Unfortunately Czar Bettman is sitting on the throne and he obviously has a dislike for Canada, Knowing his philosiphy it would be more likey to see Canadian franchises relocate to Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

October 29, 2009  10:37 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Canada is attractive right now, but if the canadian dollar went down to .60 against the american dollar, all those expansion teams would leave again. The expansion fee and all of the upstart costs of creating a team don't make sense when bringing a team to Canada, the best way and most realistic way is to have a floundering team move here. Unfortunately Gary is not realistic.

The Canadian dollar aint going back down. The US dollar is going down because they keep printing money and owe too much money. Also, Oil should be going back up soon, which will improve the Canadian dollar.

October 29, 2009  10:39 AM ET

What would make them change there mind is if we took back all our CANADIAN teams and made our own league. When they realize that these pathetic teams they have put in cities that care more about high school football and we don't share our revenues with the other teams and they can't pay their day to day operations and fold. Only then will this DEGENERATE be relieved of his duties. This is our game and we have let the south ruin it for far to long.

October 29, 2009  10:39 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

The best thing for the NHL would be to relocate a few sunbelt teams to Canadian cities. Unfortunately Czar Bettman is sitting on the throne and he obviously has a dislike for Canada, Knowing his philosiphy it would be more likey to see Canadian franchises relocate to Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

That won't happen under Bettman's watch because he is the flag waiver for the sun belt teams. If they end up moving he looks like a failure.

October 29, 2009  10:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

The Canadian dollar aint going back down. The US dollar is going down because they keep printing money and owe too much money. Also, Oil should be going back up soon, which will improve the Canadian dollar.

True I can't see the Canuck Buck ever dropping below 85 cents US again. It's more likly to stay in the low 90's.

October 29, 2009  10:53 AM ET
QUOTE(#11):

True I can't see the Canuck Buck ever dropping below 85 cents US again. It's more likly to stay in the low 90's.

You are probably right, but for a league that saw two franchises move as well as having to prop up 3 others in the same country, I can see why they are hesitant to bring more here. Realistically though, teams in Hamilton and Quebec could easily survive with adequate facilities and a solid business plan.

October 29, 2009  10:53 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

we took back all our CANADIAN teams and made our own league.

I've often said that if the Penguins were based in Penticton they'd make money. Cap salaries at $1,000,000 and offer flipping burgers as the alternative and they'd play. Euros might balk but they could stay home.

Put a team in Nanaimo and it would draw from the entire island.

October 29, 2009  10:55 AM ET
QUOTE(#11):

True I can't see the Canuck Buck ever dropping below 85 cents US again. It's more likly to stay in the low 90's.

Everything is cyclical.

Flying high on Tuesday doesn't mean you couldn't be shot down by Friday.

October 29, 2009  10:59 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Everything is cyclical.Flying high on Tuesday doesn't mean you couldn't be shot down by Friday.

'Flying High'

You left coasters are all smokin' that wacky tobaccy!

You crack me up Hank

October 29, 2009  11:04 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

You are probably right, but for a league that saw two franchises move as well as having to prop up 3 others in the same country, I can see why they are hesitant to bring more here. Realistically though, teams in Hamilton and Quebec could easily survive with adequate facilities and a solid business plan.

And a Hockey Market... something the sun belt teams don't have.

October 29, 2009  11:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#15):

wacky tobaccy

We invented it.

If Al Gore can claim the internet, why can't we claim the herb?

October 29, 2009  11:18 AM ET
QUOTE(#17):

We invented it.If Al Gore can claim the internet, why can't we claim the herb?

We for sure perfected it hank.

October 29, 2009  11:23 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Everything is cyclical.Flying high on Tuesday doesn't mean you couldn't be shot down by Friday.

Exactly, no one knows where the dollar will be in a year from now let alone 5. If you would have told me 6 yrs ago that they would be this close I wouldn't have believed it.

 
October 29, 2009  11:43 AM ET
QUOTE(#19):

Exactly, no one knows where the dollar will be in a year from now let alone 5. If you would have told me 6 yrs ago that they would be this close I wouldn't have believed it.

All I know is that it is currently a great time for me to be ordering parts for my cars from the Excited States in US shekels.

But the flip side is my compnay which sells in US shekels is taking exchange in the teeth....

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