Contraction a necessary evil?

Somebody please listen to this. Please, Please, Please.

So fess up, Todd Jewell is one of our posters, no?

If not, he must be a charlatan, stealing the brilliance posted here and passing it off as his own.

Preaching to the choir on this topic.

"Contraction a necessary evil?"

Yes, but neither the Buttgoblin or the union will go for it.

I don't consider contraction an evil at all.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET  11.30 by Argos.

I don't consider contraction an evil at all.

Just necessary.

While I understand the want for contraction by some quarters, and in some respects I agree, it may be necessary, not all hockey in the south is useless, or in desperate need of removal. Take my 'Canes for example, do they have a very small market? yes and the margin for error is slim, but I think with the local market (when they play) do relatively well money wise, but they also compete greatly with NCAA hoops here in the triangle for most of the winter months as well as NASCAR towards the end of the season, and yes, we have had varying degrees of success, which calls our viability into question but not all teams south of the Mason-Dixon are for naught.

Mismanagement is not the fault of the local populace for not going to games, lack of coverage by a good portion of the media in those places that are going backward doesn't help either, but who wants to read stories about perpetually losing teams? not me, and I still don't understand to this day why the original Jets were relocated to Phoenix. Who did that market survey and thought that would work out? either way, It'll be done, and it'll likely annoy the crap out of those markets that do lose their teams, but at least it might finally remove one of the black eyes Bettman has done in his tenure.

All I hope for is the 'Canes get left alone, we do alright, not always great, but alright.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  11.30 by The Aussie Caniac

While I understand the want for contraction by some quarters, and in some respects I agree, it may be necessary, not all hockey in the south is useless, or in desperate need of removal. Take my 'Canes for example, do they have a very small market? yes and the margin for error is slim, but I think with the local market (when they play) do relatively well money wise, but they also compete greatly with NCAA hoops here in the triangle for most of the winter months as well as NASCAR towards the end of the season, and yes, we have had varying degrees of success, which calls our viability into question but not all teams south of the Mason-Dixon are for naught. Mismanagement is not the fault of the local populace for not going to games, lack of coverage by a good portion of the media in those places that are going backward doesn't help either, but who wants to read stories about perpetually losing teams? not me, and I still don't understand to this day why the original Jets were relocated to Phoenix. Who did that market survey and thought that would work out? either way, It'll be done, and it'll likely annoy the crap out of those markets that do lose their teams, but at least it might finally remove one of the black eyes Bettman has done in his tenure.All I hope for is the 'Canes get left alone, we do alright, not always great, but alright.

Your Canes also have a winning history . They league could and should ,easily contract 4 other Teams.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  11.30 by The Aussie Caniac

While I understand the want for contraction by some quarters, and in some respects I agree, it may be necessary, not all hockey in the south is useless, or in desperate need of removal. Take my 'Canes for example, do they have a very small market? yes and the margin for error is slim, but I think with the local market (when they play) do relatively well money wise, but they also compete greatly with NCAA hoops here in the triangle for most of the winter months as well as NASCAR towards the end of the season, and yes, we have had varying degrees of success, which calls our viability into question but not all teams south of the Mason-Dixon are for naught. Mismanagement is not the fault of the local populace for not going to games, lack of coverage by a good portion of the media in those places that are going backward doesn't help either, but who wants to read stories about perpetually losing teams? not me, and I still don't understand to this day why the original Jets were relocated to Phoenix. Who did that market survey and thought that would work out? either way, It'll be done, and it'll likely annoy the crap out of those markets that do lose their teams, but at least it might finally remove one of the black eyes Bettman has done in his tenure.All I hope for is the 'Canes get left alone, we do alright, not always great, but alright.

The Lightning hold their own as well. They play to about 95% capacity, and avg about 18,500 fans a game.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:27 AM ET  11.30 by Harry Crack

Your Canes also have a winning history . They league could and should ,easily contract 4 other Teams.

At least 6 need to go. Potentially 8.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  11.30 by THE BISHOP!

The Lightning hold their own as well. They play to about 95% capacity, and avg about 18,500 fans a game.

I went back and forth for an entire day with a newbie on this one a few months back. Lightning TV ratings are abysmal. If there's more than 1,000 people watching the Bolts during the second period, they consider that a success. It's god-awful. And the seats they fill are sold for dirt cheap. Attendance figures often mask true problems teams are having (as they did in 'Peg and QC in the 90s). The Lightning are not nearly in as good shape as many would have you believe.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  11.30 by THE BISHOP!

The Lightning hold their own as well. They play to about 95% capacity, and avg about 18,500 fans a game.

HC holds his own too but they won't let him in the league.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:37 AM ET  11.30 by Hank Kingsley

At least 6 need to go. Potentially 8.

Isles are saved. Canes have money. As the article says, there are 4 markets capable of hosting relocated clubs. Realistically, and preferably, two teams would be contracted, go to 2 7-team divisions, 14-team conferences.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  11.30 by The Aussie Caniac

All I hope for is the 'Canes get left alone, we do alright, not always great, but alright.

Preds have the same issues...small market...but they do put competive team on ice and have grown the attendance to a respectable level.....but with no season...keeping fans will be tough...

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  11.30 by The Aussie Caniac

While I understand the want for contraction by some quarters, and in some respects I agree, it may be necessary, not all hockey in the south is useless, or in desperate need of removal. Take my 'Canes for example, do they have a very small market? yes and the margin for error is slim, but I think with the local market (when they play) do relatively well money wise, but they also compete greatly with NCAA hoops here in the triangle for most of the winter months as well as NASCAR towards the end of the season, and yes, we have had varying degrees of success, which calls our viability into question but not all teams south of the Mason-Dixon are for naught. Mismanagement is not the fault of the local populace for not going to games, lack of coverage by a good portion of the media in those places that are going backward doesn't help either, but who wants to read stories about perpetually losing teams? not me, and I still don't understand to this day why the original Jets were relocated to Phoenix. Who did that market survey and thought that would work out? either way, It'll be done, and it'll likely annoy the crap out of those markets that do lose their teams, but at least it might finally remove one of the black eyes Bettman has done in his tenure.All I hope for is the 'Canes get left alone, we do alright, not always great, but alright.

The Canes would not be on my short list of Contraction, but if the list gets any longer they might be. No offense, but....................................

I've been to the RBC (new name?) 5 or 6 times over the years and had the pleasure of sitting up in the Martin-Marietta luxury in all but one of those visits. It is a top notch facility. The crowds were pretty good the years that the Canes were doing very well and pretty thin when they were not. It is really a niche sport down your way and as you say it is competing with some long held traditional sports like NCAA football and basketball.

*Martin-Marietta luxury box*

Went to watch the Sarnia Legionaires jr B game last night. Free parking...$7 dollar ticket..$2 dollar hot dog and a great hockey crowd. Kids played their sacks off. Im hooked.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:38 AM ET  11.30 by BGDave

So fess up, Todd Jewell is one of our posters, no?If not, he must be a charlatan, stealing the brilliance posted here and passing it off as his own.

Hank's other persona. Capable of saying more than, Kill the cap, drink its blood.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:48 AM ET  11.30 by Othello

Preds have the same issues...small market...but they do put competive team on ice and have grown the attendance to a respectable level.....but with no season...keeping fans will be tough...

yeah but I heard you were going to buy up an entire section down in the lower bowl, that should keep em in business.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  11.30 by THE BISHOP!

The Lightning hold their own as well. They play to about 95% capacity, and avg about 18,500 fans a game.

can't cut the lightning, where else would I be able to go to watch the Habs play? (ok Miami, but still).