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Post by Douggy-D on Jan 25, 2011 19:33:26 GMT -5
Why not have Baltimore if they can get a new arena and ownership group? I miss their AHL days.... the rafters at 1st Mariner Arena still echo "WIN IT YOU BALTIMORE CLIPPERS/SKIPJACKS/BANDITS." They were well supported in the AHL, why not the NHL? It would be a FANTASTIC rivalry with Washington.... I actually heard that Baltimore is building a new arena or something. I think that there are better markets that could house teams, and I think that hockey should take a look at the Pacific Northwest, there aren't really teams in that area and many of the hockey fans there have to drive a long way to see a game. For example, I bet the majority of the Hockey fans in Baltimore can just get their hockey fix by driving like 45 minutes to DC to see a Caps game or maybe to Philly for a Flyers game, but if someone lives in say Portland and they want to see a game, Vancouver and San Jose are REALLY far away. I know that the same can be said about Hamilton, but it's been established that a team there would be a gold mine, there's enough interest for another team. Ted Leonsis would also be pretty pissed off about a team there. I think a team in Portland could work, all they have to compete with is the Blazers, although they might get a CFL team. Plus it's not a sunbelt climate, so unless a team there completely bottoms out then they could do well at the gate. Another thing that the NHL should take a close look at is a team in Seattle, of course if they get a new arena. It would make a good rivalry with the Canucks, and it's hard to imagine a hockey graveyard being only 119 miles south of a hockey hotbed. The only problem is that a lot of the people there would rather have the Sonics back. Another market that seems to be overlooked is Milwaukee. They have a good College Hockey program and their AHL team thrives. And the closest teams are the Wild and Blackhawks I think and they're really far away. My (And pretty much everyone on here) main argument about a team in Winnipeg is not only how hockey mad you guys are, it's the fact that the closest team is the Wild and they're at least 7 hours away. Plus they would have fans from Rural Manitoba (of course, Northern Minnesota (since some of the people up there are closer to Winnipeg than St. Paul), Western Ontario (Places like Thunder Bay), and even parts of Saskatchewan (Depending on whether or not that they're closer to Winnipeg than they are to Calgary or Edmonton). |
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Post by mrconfusion87 on Feb 19, 2011 11:25:15 GMT -5
Why not have Baltimore if they can get a new arena and ownership group? I miss their AHL days.... the rafters at 1st Mariner Arena still echo "WIN IT YOU BALTIMORE CLIPPERS/SKIPJACKS/BANDITS." They were well supported in the AHL, why not the NHL? It would be a FANTASTIC rivalry with Washington.... I actually heard that Baltimore is building a new arena or something. I think that there are better markets that could house teams, and I think that hockey should take a look at the Pacific Northwest, there aren't really teams in that area and many of the hockey fans there have to drive a long way to see a game. For example, I bet the majority of the Hockey fans in Baltimore can just get their hockey fix by driving like 45 minutes to DC to see a Caps game or maybe to Philly for a Flyers game, but if someone lives in say Portland and they want to see a game, Vancouver and San Jose are REALLY far away. I know that the same can be said about Hamilton, but it's been established that a team there would be a gold mine, there's enough interest for another team. Ted Leonsis would also be pretty pissed off about a team there. I think a team in Portland could work, all they have to compete with is the Blazers, although they might get a CFL team. Plus it's not a sunbelt climate, so unless a team there completely bottoms out then they could do well at the gate. Another thing that the NHL should take a close look at is a team in Seattle, of course if they get a new arena. It would make a good rivalry with the Canucks, and it's hard to imagine a hockey graveyard being only 119 miles south of a hockey hotbed. The only problem is that a lot of the people there would rather have the Sonics back. Another market that seems to be overlooked is Milwaukee. They have a good College Hockey program and their AHL team thrives. And the closest teams are the Wild and Blackhawks I think and they're really far away. My (And pretty much everyone on here) main argument about a team in Winnipeg is not only how hockey mad you guys are, it's the fact that the closest team is the Wild and they're at least 7 hours away. Plus they would have fans from Rural Manitoba (of course, Northern Minnesota (since some of the people up there are closer to Winnipeg than St. Paul), Western Ontario (Places like Thunder Bay), and even parts of Saskatchewan (Depending on whether or not that they're closer to Winnipeg than they are to Calgary or Edmonton). But I did read a Post-Intelligencer poll that indicated that 62% of people in the Seattle metro would embrace an NHL team, and 19% of the respondents are fence-sitters who could go either way with that! Not too bad at all, let alone compared to much of the southern US! For me if Minneapolis-St. Paul or Denver can support four teams, I don't see how Seattle can't...  But I definitely want this to happen: Phoenix ----------> Winnipeg Florida -----------> Quebec City Nashville ----------> Seattle Under tight watch and can possibly follow the three to relocationville afterwards: Anaheim, Atlanta, NY Islanders.... |
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Post by Comrade Fox on Feb 24, 2011 16:29:35 GMT -5
Why not have Baltimore if they can get a new arena and ownership group? I miss their AHL days.... the rafters at 1st Mariner Arena still echo "WIN IT YOU BALTIMORE CLIPPERS/SKIPJACKS/BANDITS." They were well supported in the AHL, why not the NHL? It would be a FANTASTIC rivalry with Washington.... I actually heard that Baltimore is building a new arena or something. I think that there are better markets that could house teams, and I think that hockey should take a look at the Pacific Northwest, there aren't really teams in that area and many of the hockey fans there have to drive a long way to see a game. For example, I bet the majority of the Hockey fans in Baltimore can just get their hockey fix by driving like 45 minutes to DC to see a Caps game or maybe to Philly for a Flyers game, but if someone lives in say Portland and they want to see a game, Vancouver and San Jose are REALLY far away. I know that the same can be said about Hamilton, but it's been established that a team there would be a gold mine, there's enough interest for another team. Ted Leonsis would also be pretty pissed off about a team there. I think a team in Portland could work, all they have to compete with is the Blazers, although they might get a CFL team. Plus it's not a sunbelt climate, so unless a team there completely bottoms out then they could do well at the gate. Another thing that the NHL should take a close look at is a team in Seattle, of course if they get a new arena. It would make a good rivalry with the Canucks, and it's hard to imagine a hockey graveyard being only 119 miles south of a hockey hotbed. The only problem is that a lot of the people there would rather have the Sonics back. Another market that seems to be overlooked is Milwaukee. They have a good College Hockey program and their AHL team thrives. And the closest teams are the Wild and Blackhawks I think and they're really far away. My (And pretty much everyone on here) main argument about a team in Winnipeg is not only how hockey mad you guys are, it's the fact that the closest team is the Wild and they're at least 7 hours away. Plus they would have fans from Rural Manitoba (of course, Northern Minnesota (since some of the people up there are closer to Winnipeg than St. Paul), Western Ontario (Places like Thunder Bay), and even parts of Saskatchewan (Depending on whether or not that they're closer to Winnipeg than they are to Calgary or Edmonton). Bringing up the M-Ads means a flashback to bad memories. i.e. 2004 Calder Cup Finals. We lost TWICE by four or more goals en route to being swept. Did decently for a team coming off of a Game 7 OT survival against Hartford... I still remember Matt Murley celebrating by skating into the tunnel to hug Sebastian Caron as the team mobbed him.... Andy Chiodo was insane in those playoffs...even beat up Niittymaki... good times |
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Post by Douggy-D on Feb 24, 2011 18:59:17 GMT -5
I actually heard that Baltimore is building a new arena or something. I think that there are better markets that could house teams, and I think that hockey should take a look at the Pacific Northwest, there aren't really teams in that area and many of the hockey fans there have to drive a long way to see a game. For example, I bet the majority of the Hockey fans in Baltimore can just get their hockey fix by driving like 45 minutes to DC to see a Caps game or maybe to Philly for a Flyers game, but if someone lives in say Portland and they want to see a game, Vancouver and San Jose are REALLY far away. I know that the same can be said about Hamilton, but it's been established that a team there would be a gold mine, there's enough interest for another team. Ted Leonsis would also be pretty pissed off about a team there. I think a team in Portland could work, all they have to compete with is the Blazers, although they might get a CFL team. Plus it's not a sunbelt climate, so unless a team there completely bottoms out then they could do well at the gate. Another thing that the NHL should take a close look at is a team in Seattle, of course if they get a new arena. It would make a good rivalry with the Canucks, and it's hard to imagine a hockey graveyard being only 119 miles south of a hockey hotbed. The only problem is that a lot of the people there would rather have the Sonics back. Another market that seems to be overlooked is Milwaukee. They have a good College Hockey program and their AHL team thrives. And the closest teams are the Wild and Blackhawks I think and they're really far away. My (And pretty much everyone on here) main argument about a team in Winnipeg is not only how hockey mad you guys are, it's the fact that the closest team is the Wild and they're at least 7 hours away. Plus they would have fans from Rural Manitoba (of course, Northern Minnesota (since some of the people up there are closer to Winnipeg than St. Paul), Western Ontario (Places like Thunder Bay), and even parts of Saskatchewan (Depending on whether or not that they're closer to Winnipeg than they are to Calgary or Edmonton). But I did read a Post-Intelligencer poll that indicated that 62% of people in the Seattle metro would embrace an NHL team, and 19% of the respondents are fence-sitters who could go either way with that! Not too bad at all, let alone compared to much of the southern US! For me if Minneapolis-St. Paul or Denver can support four teams, I don't see how Seattle can't... But I definitely want this to happen: Phoenix ----------> Winnipeg Florida -----------> Quebec City Nashville ----------> Seattle Under tight watch and can possibly follow the three to relocationville afterwards: Anaheim, Atlanta, NY Islanders.... As I said before Seattle needs a new arena before they can get an NHL team. It would make a goodass rivalry with the Nucks though. There would be tons of Nucks fans at the games in Seattle though. I would send Atlanta to Quebec City and probably Florida to Hamilton. |
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Post by camocam on Feb 27, 2011 18:56:30 GMT -5
Phoenix ----------> Winnipeg
Atlanta -----------> Quebec City
NY Islanders ----> Hartford
Florida -----------> Seattle
Tampa Bay ------> Portland
Nashville --------> Milwaukee
Carrolina --------> Hamilton
Columbus -------> Cincinati (This may seem like a weird move but cincinati has the mest prospects for corporate sponsership) renamed for ohio first
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Post by Douggy-D on Feb 27, 2011 19:54:04 GMT -5
Phoenix ----------> Winnipeg Atlanta -----------> Quebec City NY Islanders ----> Hartford Florida -----------> Seattle Tampa Bay ------> Portland Nashville --------> Milwaukee Carrolina --------> Hamilton Columbus -------> Cincinati (This may seem like a weird move but cincinati has the mest prospects for corporate sponsership) renamed for ohio first There's no arena in Cincinnati for a team, the closest they have is US Bank Arena. |
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Post by mrconfusion87 on Mar 1, 2011 0:42:55 GMT -5
But I did read a Post-Intelligencer poll that indicated that 62% of people in the Seattle metro would embrace an NHL team, and 19% of the respondents are fence-sitters who could go either way with that! Not too bad at all, let alone compared to much of the southern US! For me if Minneapolis-St. Paul or Denver can support four teams, I don't see how Seattle can't... But I definitely want this to happen: Phoenix ----------> Winnipeg Florida -----------> Quebec City Nashville ----------> Seattle Under tight watch and can possibly follow the three to relocationville afterwards: Anaheim, Atlanta, NY Islanders.... . It would make a goodass rivalry with the Nucks though. There would be tons of Nucks fans at the games in Seattle though. I would send Atlanta to Quebec City and probably Florida to Hamilton. True that! But if and when they get their butts moving for an arena, they're definitely going to be instant strong contenders! However, I would predict that by the time they do (if they do) get that thing going, most likely BOTH Winnipeg and Quebec City would already have been safely back in the NHL's grasp! ;D |
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Post by arwingnut on Apr 16, 2011 20:26:11 GMT -5
Phoenix to Winnipeg first, and it may be 2 games from happening as I type this. Atlanta (if those owners bail out) to QC. They are ponying up for an arena as I type this. Other gems: Taken from the bottom of this year's avg attendance list here: espn.go.com/nhl/attendanceNY Islanders: Wang wants to sell since Nassau County won't get behind his urban renewal plan for Uniondale, including revamping the Mausoleum and the surrounding areas and streets (he's even offered private $ and they won't do it) Columbus: Unsure, ownership isn't showing signs of slowing or selling. John P McConnell owns them (CEO of Worthington Industries, makers of steel products, pressure cylinders, etc), and Nationwide Insurance owns the building, because they built the thing. Anaheim: Yea, really. 4 years after winning the cup and they have attendance at 14,7...Still have the new owner and new "attitude" (Charlestown Chiefs, etc) New Jersey: Still poor attendance despite new arena. Unsure what Owners are up to Dallas: Ownership trouble since owner was drug through bankruptcy court and is trying to sell the Stars. Attendance is likely down due to not really doing anything since 1999 and the ownership issue. Fan Favorites for Relocation: QC: New building upcoming. Updates in a couple years when it is standing Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo: Copps is about as big (same size) as Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Balsille probably screwed the cow on this one though Hartford: Old Arena WAS originally part of a mall, and that's since been torn out. XL Center is aged, probably needs a new building. Plans have surfaced, but no construction of yet, nor any $. Portland, OR: Wonderful arena, wonderful area underserved since they only have the trailblazers. Question is if Paul Allen is willing to let a hockey team in his building and if Portland wants Hockey... Seattle: Not until they replace Key Arena. Even though Key Arena operates on its own budget from revenue and doesn't take in City funds. Probably why Seattle is not in a hurry to replace it, even after the sonics left. Kansas City: Even with the new sprint center, Hockey has failed here miserably in the past (Scouts, etc) They did have a nice run with the IHL in the 90's but that too folded due to the league. New arena IS right in downtown though as opposed to Kemper being out in the railyards. Milwaukee: Wisconsinites love hockey (as their NCAA Badgers keep winning) and the Bradley Center in downtown makes for good sightlines and such. Who would pony up for ownership though? Corporate sponsors? etc? |
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Post by bigblueboy on Apr 16, 2011 21:00:12 GMT -5
Phoenix to Winnipeg Atlanta to Quebec City NY Islanders to Queens
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Post by walsh1 on Apr 18, 2011 18:28:33 GMT -5
New Jersey to Las Vegas
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Post by veddhedd on May 10, 2011 19:48:46 GMT -5
MY divisions:
West Conference:
Pacific Division:
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
San Jose
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Colorado
Seattle/Portland expansion
Central Division:
Chicago
Detroit
Minnesota
Winnipeg (from Phx)
St. Louis
Dallas
Nashville
Columbus
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division:
NY Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
New Jersey
Carolina
Florida
Tampa Bay
Northern Division:
Montreal
Quebec (from Atlanta)
Boston
Ottawa
Toronto
Buffalo
Hartford (from NY Islanders)
Hamilton (Expansion)
Divisional playoffs. Top 4 from each division go. 1 plays 4, 2 plays 3. Winners play each other, then play the winner of the Other division, then go to Cup finals.
This makes Detroit, Columbus and Dallas happy, as they have more games near their time zone, and cut down on western travel. They would also play the east as much as the Pacific division. Winnipeg gets a team back. QC gets a team back. Hartford gets a team back. The Islanders are the only fans that get screwed, but does anyone see that mess getting figured out soon? Seattle or Portland can support a team and adds a local rival for Vancouver. As a Chicago fan, I have one more reason to visit Winnipeg, provided I could somehow manage to get a ticket.
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Post by Douggy-D on May 10, 2011 20:55:13 GMT -5
Hahahah the Devils aren't going anywhere buddy, and of all places you have to pick Las Vegas?!?! |
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Post by seahawksniper on May 23, 2011 15:16:11 GMT -5
Older thread, but I'm just going to say that the only teams that need to move are Atlanta, Phoenix and Florida. Carolina, Nashville and Tampa Bay have all developed into successes and are not going anywhere.
Actually, things are now pretty simple. Atlanta has all but loaded the trucks toward Winnipeg. That just leaves Phoenix and Florida.
Again, simple solution. If Quebec City gets a new arena under construction, send the Coyotes to Quebec. The Panthers' fate is decided by who wants them. If Seattle is willing to give them a home, the Panthers head for the Emerald City. If not, send them to Houston.
Now, if no new arena gets underway in Quebec and Seattle won't build one either, just fold those two teams. The NHL would be just fine at 28, and could award a new team or two if Quebec and/or Seattle get going.
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Post by jetsnnordiquesfan on May 24, 2011 14:23:36 GMT -5
Here's what I think that would happen in the future: (assuming Bettma remains as commisoner)
Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Atlanta gets an expansion team
Florida moves to Quebec
Phoenix moves to Kansas City, lawsuit ensues.
Phoenix gets an expansion team (in the arena they used from 1996 to 2003)
KC moves back to Glendale, Phoenix, due to lawsuit preventing the team to move from Glendale. Phoenix ends up with 2 teams.
Calgary moves to Florida (He'll use the excuse that the arena is too old)
NYI moves to Kansas City (Same reason as Calgary)
No but seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to give an expansion team to Atlanta if they lose the Thrashers...
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Post by stbvoyageur on Jun 4, 2011 4:37:33 GMT -5
People will grill me for this but I believe that the NHL should seriously acknowledge the WHA contribution to hockey, the merger was the catalyst for the growth of hockey. I would like to see the WHA stats incorporated into NHL records, so that players like Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull are truly respected for their achievements. Honestly knowing that Bettman will not start moving franchises en masse to Canada, I would like to see the next NHL franchise be the Houston Aeros. Dallas would love to have an interstate rivalry, and hockey is popular enough in Texas during the baseball and especially football offseason. To have the Howes drop the puck for a Detroit-Houston game would be a slam dunk for the NHL marketing machine. To me they would be the most logical destination for the Phoenix franchise, as it would keep a Western team in the Western Conference. Les Nordiques devraient poursuivre les Jackets, a team which already has a strong Quebec contingent. However no way they get a team in Le Colisée, so at least 3 years away. I think Hartford would be a good substitute for the Isles, as New York has never supported all 3 teams. That still leaves Florida, which is an embarassment to the NHL, an empty rink in a place where they are not even on the radar, I am not sure if they are the same as Phoenix, a suburban civicly funded arena. They would be better off in Havana, as more Canadians would attend their games  I say move them to Seattle, which I believe is only a scoreboard renovation away from having a NHL calibre rink , subsequently Detroit could move to the Eastern Conference, and realignment would be alot easier to negotiate. Toronto fans could draw some consolation in not having a second team in having another team to root for besides the Leafs should Detroit ever join their division. You have to believe that Halifax could do equally well as Florida attendance-wise, so anywhere in Canada would increase revenues for the NHL. I think the South division should be abandoned or modified, instead, add Pittsburgh vs Washington, with Carolina, Tampa, and ? (Smashville, Columbus, Seattle  ). More Crosby vs. Ovechkin for the NHL, more golf for Mario. Realistically it is time to acknowledge that hockey's Sun Belt growth has been very modest (3 cities which do not have NBA competition, Tampa, Raleigh, and Nashville are surviving, on Canadian funds). Washington could use a rival in their division, Pittsburgh would do that instantly. If people in Miami aren't watching the Panthers, neither are any other hockey fans, there is a team that needs to go. Pronto. |
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Post by iliketherangers on Jun 4, 2011 10:10:21 GMT -5
I think now that the thrashers have moved to the peg, the coyotes should obviously move to QC. Also I think the panthers should move to hamilton. I don't want anybody else to move, no where else seems to be a proven place of success and a high demand for a team. Also, I do feel you should have SOME southern teams. Everybody else in my mind are successful.
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Post by canadiensfan on Jun 4, 2011 10:54:06 GMT -5
You know, that's an interesting idea merging the WHA records with the NHL ones. However, I don't know about putting a team in Houston. I think right now the risk is too high to pout more teams down south, even with a city as big as Houston. Perhaps in the future we may see something like that. I could see the following happening:
Phoenix to Quebec City, within the next 1 to 4 years.
Florida to Hamilton, within the next 4-7 years.
Columbus to Portland (or Seattle if they can get a new arena built), within 4-7 years.
I don't see anything happening with the Islanders, unless there's no possibility of an arena in the New York area hosting them, which would be very tragic.
And regarding your comments about Halifax, a new arena or renovations would be needed to bring a team over here, as the Metro Centre has a capacity lower than that of the MTS Centre. All that aside though, we don't have the population base needed to host a team. The city of Winnipeg itself has a population of over 630,000, compared to the Halifax Regional Municipality whose population is around 400,000. We're perfect for an AHL team, but we're still a long ways off before we would ever consider getting an NHL team. There's a reason Saskatoon didn't get the Blues back in 1982.
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Post by stbvoyageur on Jun 4, 2011 18:38:39 GMT -5
. I could see the following happening: Phoenix to Quebec City, within the next 1 to 4 years. Florida to Hamilton, within the next 4-7 years. Columbus to Portland (or Seattle if they can get a new arena built), within 4-7 years. I don't see anything happening with the Islanders, unless there's no possibility of an arena in the New York area hosting them, which would be very tragic. And regarding your comments about Halifax, a new arena or renovations would be needed to bring a team over here, as the Metro Centre has a capacity lower than that of the MTS Centre. All that aside though, we don't have the population base needed to host a team. The city of Winnipeg itself has a population of over 630,000, compared to the Halifax Regional Municipality whose population is around 400,000. We're perfect for an AHL team, but we're still a long ways off before we would ever consider getting an NHL team. There's a reason Saskatoon didn't get the Blues back in 1982. I really have a difficult time conceiving of the NHL moving the Phoenix Coyotes to the East at the same time two Western Conference teams severely affected by the recession are asking to move East, that defies reason. I think Houston has all the criteria to be an NHL franchise (owner, arena, market size, and they have a hockey tradition in the Aeros, so it is less of a novelty), combined with the fact that Dallas is one of the most isolated teams without a rivalry (if they moved to the Central I think Dallas-St. Louis would be good rivalry), and the NHL wants to succeed in Texas. If it is not Houston where Phoenix moves, it will be Seattle, they are on the NHL radar judging by Bill Daly's comments, and would be a good rival for both Vancouver and San Jose, but I can not foresee the NHL moving a team from West to East right now, with the exception of Columbus, who are apparently first in line to move East anyways. It will be very interesting to see what the NHL tries to do with 3 franchises from Gary Bettman's expansion era all struggling. The NHL does not want to talk realignment year after year so the best thing to do would be to solve the problems quickly. If you followed the 4 division alignment, which takes away geographic and time zone change inequities, the NHL could appear in the next few years like this: PACIFIC Vancouver Calgary Edmonton San Jose L.A. Anaheim Colorado Seattle (via Florida) CENTRAL Winnipeg Minnesota Chicago St. Louis Nashville Dallas Houston (via Phoenix) NORTHEAST Detroit Toronto Buffalo Ottawa Montreal Boston Columbus, who should move to Quebec once the arena is built ATLANTIC N. Y. Rangers N. Y. Isles New Jersey Philly Pittsburgh Washington Carolina Tampa I think this preserves all the major rivalries, except Detroit-Chicago, however Detroit-Toronto would be equally good, especially for HNIC. NBC would have access to more Original Six matchups too, with Detroit in the East. The main positive thing a 4 division league would do is help non-traditional markets such as Carolina and Tampa have more home dates against the powerhouse teams which are good draws normally. You know a Rangers-Lightning game is more likely to sell out than Florida-Tampa. By saying that Halifax could support the Panthers as well as Florida (which is true), I was trying to underline the futility of the NHL in Miami, far away from hockey's roots. Having lived in Halifax I am aware of its size, and I believe that they are more poised for a CFL team than an NHL one. Cheers. |
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Post by iliketherangers on Jun 4, 2011 19:35:27 GMT -5
Why is everyone hating on Columbus?? I think if they made the playoffs consistetly, they would sellout every game.
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Post by mrconfusion87 on Jun 6, 2011 21:02:26 GMT -5
Why is everyone hating on Columbus?? I think if they made the playoffs consistetly, they would sellout every game. And they would have a fanbase that is strong enough to withstand occasional sucky seasons (ala-Flyers).... |
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I say move them to Seattle, which I believe is only a scoreboard renovation away from having a NHL calibre rink , subsequently Detroit could move to the Eastern Conference, and realignment would be alot easier to negotiate. Toronto fans could draw some consolation in not having a second team in having another team to root for besides the Leafs should Detroit ever join their division. You have to believe that Halifax could do equally well as Florida attendance-wise, so anywhere in Canada would increase revenues for the NHL. I think the South division should be abandoned or modified, instead, add Pittsburgh vs Washington, with Carolina, Tampa, and ? (Smashville, Columbus, Seattle 
). More Crosby vs. Ovechkin for the NHL, more golf for Mario. Realistically it is time to acknowledge that hockey's Sun Belt growth has been very modest (3 cities which do not have NBA competition, Tampa, Raleigh, and Nashville are surviving, on Canadian funds). Washington could use a rival in their division, Pittsburgh would do that instantly. If people in Miami aren't watching the Panthers, neither are any other hockey fans, there is a team that needs to go. Pronto. 
