NHL in discussions with Seattle

Seattle couldn't keep the Sonics from leaving town. What makes them think that hockey would work? Do they even have an arena for a team to play in?

Seattle has a junior team (the Thunderbirds), and it's unreal to think that they will go from having a WHL team to an NHL franchise! Maybe Swift Current, Kamloops, Moose Jaw, Red Deer or Brandon will get a team next?

This would have been a great idea years ago before, ATL got a team back, Phoenix got the old Jets, and NHL needed to expand to every so-so city in North America.
I think a little stability would be nice right now rather than planning on Seattle getting a team.

Pontiff makes a good point too, do they have an NHL ready arena? KC already stands by with the arena ready... Quebec City wants a team back...
Buttramm needs to stop the brainstorming, it is hurting the league, and the product is already borderline diluted as it is.

Ok, what city isn't open to getting an NHL team now? It's obvious that at least 1/3 of all the teams could be sold and moved.

I've said here before, I think a team in Seattle would be a good idea, it would add more true western teams. As per the Sonics leaving...I don't know how you can endorse a return to Quebec and Winnipeg yet bring that to the table. The Sonics left because Seattle refused to use public funds to prop up the franchise and get together a new stadium. The team was hijacked much the same way as the Nordiques were.

Support in Seattle couldn't possibly be less than it is in at least a third of the markets, plus there they actually have a legitimate shot of being a big hit.

and rather than looking at just one figure, look at it overall; Seattle supports their Seahawks as much as any other city supports their NHL team, plus they are credited for having the loudest fans in the game. How about soccer? Another peripheral sport; the sounders are well known to have the best fans in the MLS.

Baseball....well, I wouldn't cheer the Mariners either.

I'd definitely support moves to Seattle, Quebec and Kansas City. Move the Panthers, Thrashers & Coyotes immediately. The league becomes way more visible immediately.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:16 AM ET  05.26 by puttin on the foil

I've said here before, I think a team in Seattle would be a good idea, it would add more true western teams. As per the Sonics leaving...I don't know how you can endorse a return to Quebec and Winnipeg yet bring that to the table. The Sonics left because Seattle refused to use public funds to prop up the franchise and get together a new stadium. The team was hijacked much the same way as the Nordiques were. Support in Seattle couldn't possibly be less than it is in at least a third of the markets, plus there they actually have a legitimate shot of being a big hit.

If you think that it could be as low as a 3rd of the markets, that is a pretty good argument to not give them a team. As far as Quebec and the Peg...well one thing we do know and that they will get fan support in Canada!
Hey Foil...did you listen to the Q's final show this morning with Arron after 25 years?

I was about to say - has Seattle (in the past half-century) supported any hockey over the Junior level? One of the problems with the expansion to Nashville and Colubus was that the highest they'd ever had was the ECHL, and Atlanta was marginally supporting an IHL team (I think part of the NHL move there was to force the IHL out of existance - just my opinion, folks!)

OTOH, maybe they can call them the Seattle Millionaires, and hang a Stanley Cup banner the same way the Ottawa Senators did.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET  05.26 by Baun-ded=PH in MOTION

If you think that it could be as low as a 3rd of the markets, that is a pretty good argument to not give them a team. As far as Quebec and the Peg...well one thing we do know and that they will get fan support in Canada!Hey Foil...did you listen to the Q's final show this morning with Arron after 25 years?

1) I'm simply implying that by hanging a sign on the door of the stadium Seattle is guaranteed to be in the upper 2/3 of the franchises... which is an improvement! I think they have alot of potential, way more upside than most US markets.

2)I'm 100% on board for teams in Winnipeg & QC

3) No, I don't drive anywhere in the morning, so I stopped listening to the radio a while ago. I am certain that my mom listened though, she's a big fan!

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:43 AM ET  05.26 by THE BISHOP!

Seattle couldn't keep the Sonics from leaving town. What makes them think that hockey would work? Do they even have an arena for a team to play in?

Where did the Sonics play? Could that be converted to a hockey arena?

Get Paul Allen to buy the team, he has been a very fan friendly owner for the Hawks and Blazers.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:44 AM ET  05.26 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

Where did the Sonics play? Could that be converted to a hockey arena?

I believe it was called Key Arena and it sat about 17,000 for basketball. I t lacked all the luxury upgrades that would generate revenue for a team.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:04 AM ET  05.26 by THE BISHOP!

I believe it was called Key Arena and it sat about 17,000 for basketball. I t lacked all the luxury upgrades that would generate revenue for a team.

17,000 is a good start and modifying an existing arena to add luxury suites is a lot cheaper than building a new stadium.

How about just bringing a team to Portland? Not much further from BC than Seattle, with a state of the art arena in the Rose Garden, which, hmmm, Paul Allen already owns.....

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:04 AM ET  05.26 by THE BISHOP!

I believe it was called Key Arena and it sat about 17,000 for basketball. I t lacked all the luxury upgrades that would generate revenue for a team.

which from what I have been told be Seattle friends was deliberate.
I don't think it wouuld work there anyway for too long

I don't think that there are any slam dunk cities left, so anywhere you go its a venture. Seattle, lack of hockey history; Winnipeg, small arena and questions about the viability of the local economy; Quebec, size of the city and feasibility of getting the stadium built (although today is a huge day at the national assembly to pass legislation that will allow the project to move forward. The last hold-out has just announced he will not oppose the special law); Kansas city, no hockey history (other than the scouts), no idea if they will support the team; Indianapolis, same as Kansas

I dont know what it is with Gary Bettman's hatred of all things Canadian. If it wasn't for a Canadian game he would be selling Amway products in Scarsdale with his sour little face. Gary, for the last time Canadian players make up 75% of your league, Canadian hockey fans are the most passionate for their teams, or any team still playing.
Understand in the absence of NHL hockey we will watch junior hockey, Pee-Wee hockey, even beer-league woman's ringette (yes Gary that is a hockey type game!).
You are jerking around the new ownership group in Winnipeg, lead by the 17th richest man in the WORLD, for no reason other than your own petty spite. The ownership group for Quebec City is fairly well off as well and you wont even meet with them. Jim Balsillie (again uber-rich)may have embarrassed you by actually selling people tickets to see the Coyotes in Hamilton, but lets not miss the point he was selling TICKETS to see the COYOTES. Whats more important to you fleecing 25M from the taxpayers of Glendale or making that much honourably by selling tickets, filling arenas and having people actually enjoy your product. Put teams where they will sell tickets and secure TV rights, get out of Nashville, ATL, Miami, Phoenix, Columbus(?) and get to Winnipeg, QCity, Seattle, KC, Cleveland or Milwaukee.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  05.26 by J-Chef

How about just bringing a team to Portland? Not much further from BC than Seattle, with a state of the art arena in the Rose Garden, which, hmmm, Paul Allen already owns.....

I'd vote for that. Portland is a great city and could support another pro team.

QUOTE(#22):

Originally posted 10:37 AM ET  05.26 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

I'd vote for that. Portland is a great city and could support another pro team.

The fine people of Portland are not accepting your backing. They said something about you all killing the earth with cheesesteaks.