OT: 2012-13 Lockout Discussion Part XI: The "Please make it stop" edition.

[Tawnos]

Portland/Seattle is really two distinct markets. Houston is a good possibility too.

 

[DutchShamrock]

I wonder if people are as tired of making that argument as I am of making the counter argument.

Have at it. Too many teams leads to the over bidding of star talent. Then the price for second tier talent rises to fill voids on the first line. Supply and demand. With the KHL and 32 NHL teams, there aren't enough goalies and stars to go around. Not enough to keep new and weak markets flush with money.

And hockey only sustainable in so many markets. The south is failing. They want another Toronto team... that tells you everything about the saturation level of hockey. A NY team contemplated leaving because a fan only roots for one team.

 

[BBKers]

Chris Stevenson ‏@CJ_Stevenson
Hearing rumours NHL teams are reaching out to their coaches and telling them to be ready. Some are booking flights to their cities.

Rick Nash - Welcome to MSG!

Oh wait - better not jinx this

Wade Redden - enjoy the couch...

 

[DutchShamrock]

so you're including brooklyn among the 4? that seems like cheating. lol regardless, i agree it will be difficult.

Brooklyn IS a relocation.

The question is if 2 cities will be enough for relocations. PHX to QUE. Florida should move. Isles to Brooklyn. Why expand to toronto? We get their money already. Will it grow the sport beyond jersey sales? KC is more of the southern issue. Get your house in order then expand.

 

[Levitate]

Rick Nash - Welcome to MSG!

Oh wait - better not jinx this

Wade Redden - enjoy the couch...

Eh we've heard that before.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

With two compliance buyouts, the Rangers not only have to consider how it effects their team. But the potential large pool of FA's coming in this summer.

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers handle Del Zotto with this in mind.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Portland/Seattle is really two distinct markets. Houston is a good possibility too.

I am completely against any and all expansion. But if they are doing relocations Portland is a great city to move a hockey club.

 

[Tawnos]

With two compliance buyouts, the Rangers not only have to consider how it effects their team. But the potential large pool of FA's coming in this summer.

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers handle Del Zotto with this in mind.

I'm assuming the summer cushion will remain in effect, so they could potentially sign someone before deciding to buy out someone else on the roster.

 

[broadwayblue]

Brooklyn IS a relocation.

The question is if 2 cities will be enough for relocations. PHX to QUE. Florida should move. Isles to Brooklyn. Why expand to toronto? We get their money already. Will it grow the sport beyond jersey sales? KC is more of the southern issue. Get your house in order then expand.

That's why I think it's cheating to add them when it's already been finalized. We were talking about two more relocations and two new expansion teams. But regardless, I think most of us can agree that there aren't that many obvious spots for relocated or expansion franchises.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

That's why I think it's cheating to add them when it's already been finalized. We were talking about two more relocations and two new expansion teams. But regardless, I think most of us can agree that there aren't that many obvious spots for relocated or expansion franchises.

Considering Florida's current lease situation, I don't think they are exactly in a rush to move. I think they should. But I'm not sure if they have too.

 

[NYR27]

That's why I think it's cheating to add them when it's already been finalized. We were talking about two more relocations and two new expansion teams. But regardless, I think most of us can agree that there aren't that many obvious spots for relocated or expansion franchises.

just spitballing here...but I always wondered why there is no team in Maine...I understand that populations isn't what it could be in other places, but having essentially 1 team for all of New England seems like a waste of a good pool of fans...

 

[Tawnos]

just spitballing here...but I always wondered why there is no team in Maine...I understand that populations isn't what it could be in other places, but having essentially 1 team for all of New England seems like a waste of a good pool of fans...

That's like asking why there isn't a team in Albany, despite how big hockey is upstate. Populations both individual and corporate are too small

 

[NYR27]

That's like asking why there isn't a team in Albany, despite how big hockey is upstate. Populations both individual and corporate are too small

agreed on the population piece but you have to imagine that a team there would be better supported than say one in St. Pete FL

and upstate has a team already

 

[broadwayblue]

Yeah, the largest city in New Hampshire or Maine is just over 100k people...basically 1/5 that of Tampa/St. Pete.

 

[Tawnos]

agreed on the population piece but you have to imagine that a team there would be better supported than say one in St. Pete FL

and upstate has a team already

Buffalo isn't upstate, it's Western NY. Albany is further away from Buffalo than from NYC by nearly double.

And no, Maine and its total population of 1.3m in the whole state could not support a team better than a metro area more than 2 times the pop, even if it is in Florida.

New England has 7 AHL teams. I think they're fine for professional hockey.

 

[Don Chytil]

I think that the Coyotes' AHL team's move to Portland is a precursor to the team moving there. I'd imagine that they're using this time to gauge interest, and then it will be a smooth transition with guys like OEL and Rundblad already playing in Portland at the moment. IMO such a move would be beneficial to the team and the NHL.

 

[silverfish]

I've always thought Wisconsin was a bit untapped in terms of having an NHL team. Milwaukee has an arena, the Badgers are loved, why not? Would be a great rivalry with the Wild.

 

[Florida Ranger]

agreed on the population piece but you have to imagine that a team there would be better supported than say one in St. Pete FL

and upstate has a team already

The Lightning played in St. Pete for three seasons. They averaged 21,000 their first season there.

 

[BBKers]

I've always thought Wisconsin was a bit untapped in terms of having an NHL team. Milwaukee has an arena, the Badgers are loved, why not? Would be a great rivalry with the Wild.

And the Blackhawks...

 

[Florida Ranger]

I've always thought Wisconsin was a bit untapped in terms of having an NHL team. Milwaukee has an arena, the Badgers are loved, why not? Would be a great rivalry with the Wild.

The bold is a huge part of "why not".

Plus, there's already two other pro sports teams in that city.

I do agree with you though regarding Wisconsin. Seems like a perfect enviornment for NHL hockey.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The bold is a huge part of "why not".

Plus, there's already two other pro sports teams in that city.

I do agree with you though regarding Wisconsin. Seems like a perfect enviornment for NHL hockey.

Now all you need is about $200M for a "hockey in Wisconsin" business model.

 

[Tawnos]

It sounds like the NHL softened the penalty for hiding HRR in the last proposal. They've for back to the stiffer penalties.

@aaronward_nhl: NHL has gone back to original language on HRR after they changed the language this week.Severe penalties still apply. #TSN

 

[gary laser eyes]

Nick Kypreos is reporting the big market teams are battling the small market teams over the 2013-14 cap. Kyper said the 13-14 cap is the factor standing in the way of getting a deal done today.

They should just institute a luxury tax. Capped at 10% over ceiling, taxed at 100%. This way rich teams can spend a bit more if they want and it goes back into the smaller market owners pockets. Everybody wins.

Makes perfect sense in a league with such a big disparity between big/small markets.

 

[BBKers]

Aaron Ward ‏@aaronward_nhl
As we discussed on #TSN this morning, small meeting dealt with the NHL changing penalties for 'hiding' HRR.The issue has been resolved.

One down

Compliance Buyouts - The NHL is willing to allow two per team but the money would be in the system (in order words, coming out of the players' share). The NHLPA wants money to be "out of the system" which essentially is their way of increasing the Make Whole.

COMPROMISE. Have one buyout allowed this year and one allowed throughout the entire CBA coming out of the players' share.

Variance - 20%. Appears to be a done deal

Contract Term Maximum - NHL wants 6/7; NHL wants 7/9. How about 6/8?

CBA length - NHLPA has apparently accepted a 10 year CBA with an out clause after 8 years.

Escrow cap - NHLPA folded and never brought it up

LAST HURDLES

Pensions
Cap ceiling & floor next year

or else

Disclaimer of interest....

Hmm

 

[Whiplash27]

I think we should have an agreement within the next 8 days. I'd be shocked if we don't.