Around the League - 2023/24

[dahrougem2]

Salt Lake City Wok

I raise you Salt Lake City Sushi

 

[henchman21]

How do you think Altitude Sports feels about the concept of a Utah team, that would eat into our regional coverage and fanbase, no?

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Both Vegas and Colorado would have territory taken. Vegas likely would lose their Wyoming rights that’s the Avs would have to continue to split. Likely New Mexico too.

BTW the Jazz are a team that also went over the air like Vegas… which is reaping huge rewards for both teams. I’d expect the SLC team to have widely available games and siphon off fans.

I raise you Salt Lake City Sushi

The OG Salt Palace was in Little Tokyo.

 

[MacKaRant]

How do you think Altitude Sports feels about the concept of a Utah team, that would eat into our regional coverage and fanbase, no?

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Avalanche, despite the glory of the Colorado River, are ultimately a small fry in terms of influence around the league. This isn't like Toronto protesting a team in Hamilton or Boston trying to prevent the return of hockey to Hartford. The owner/governor level of influence isn't there.

 

[SaltySkywalker]

The Salt Lake City Bible Thumpers

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

Avalanche, despite the glory of the Colorado River, are ultimately a small fry in terms of influence around the league. This isn't like Toronto protesting a team in Hamilton or Boston trying to prevent the return of hockey to Hartford. The owner/governor level of influence isn't there.

Oh I wasn't suggesting they have any sway, just more curious if you think they care about losing out some territory to the Latter Day Skates.

 

[LakewoodAvsFan]

Utah Arches
Utah Salts
Utah Flyovers
???

 

[avalanche_country]

I personally think they should just keep the name.

Utah Coyotes
Salt Lake City Coyotes.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I personally think they should just keep the name.

Utah Coyotes
Salt Lake City Coyotes.

I'd go with the Magic Pajamas but that might not pass HR.

 

[The Merchant]

The SLC Punks

 

[arun]

SLC Mormons

 

[Pokecheque]

I personally think they should just keep the name.

Utah Coyotes
Salt Lake City Coyotes.

They won't, that name is staying in Arizona. Basketball is the sport where they inexplicably keep the team names even when they move to a location where that team name no longer makes any sense whatsoever (and yes, I know, there are coyotes in Utah).

 

[Balthazar]

Seravalli just said that right now it's 90% to 95% chances of happening (Yotes to SLC)

 

[Mooserton]

Our closest neighbor moving slightly closer? f*** the Utah Polyamorists. Poverty franchise.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Americans, what's in Utah that might become the inspiration for the team name?

Soaking and bed shaking.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

I haven't listened to it, but according to Reddit Friedman said something to that accord on the Jeff Marek show a few hours ago. Or at least that when Arizona is looked at as an expansion option, Meruelo would be the first guy in line to have an option for that franchise.

Would someone really pay 800 millions in expansion fees to put another hockey team in Arizona?

That seems as unwise as choosing a RyJo inspired username.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Holy shit that'd be awesome.

If they had Ice Girls we know what their hair would look like.

Like my Mom's when she was in HS back in the late 60s

 

[expatriatedtexan]

All I know is that when Oregon eventually gets a hockey team, if their name is not Trail or has something to do with dysentery, I'll be a little put out.

 

[AvBuff]

The SLC Fighting Polygamists.

 

[McMetal]

2 more is going to happen and likely be announced right before are right alongside the new CBA. But that isn't every couple of years. Hard to believe, but Vegas will likely have been in the league a decade when the next team starts up. Seattle 6 years. Time flies. SLC, Houston and Atlanta are all going to be in the league before the end of the decade. The bigger question will be... are Phoenix/Arizona and another city also a part of this (don't sleep on Omaha)?

There is also plenty of talent to go around... you don't have to look further than tossed around players breaking out yearly in their mid 20s... from Marchy, Verhaeghe, Toews, etc. The NHL has experienced a massive talent boom since 2009 that has accelerated since 2013. The 2013-2018 drafts are arguably the best set of drafts in succession ever in the NHL. A lot of scouts think 23-28 is going to be even better (2025 looks very much like an all timer sort of draft).

I'm sorry, what? What on earth would make that viable as a franchise? Omaha has half the population of Quebec City, and Canadian dollar be damned, there's no way that an Omaha team would generate more revenue than a Canadian market. The NHL is refusing to answer calls from QC area codes, but they would pick up for Buttscratch, Nebraska?

I mean, the reasons for not bringing back the Nordiques are totally understandable. But aside from the language barrier, all of those reasons would apply double for Omaha. Lack of corporate sponsors, not a popular destination to live for players (you think Columbus is unpopular)... I just couldn't fathom why they would expand into Nebraska when Houston, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta are ripe, low hanging fruits. I'd also consider Portland, Quebec City, and Milwaukee before thinking of that.

 

[McMetal]

Nate is currently a -470 favourite for the Hart and there seems to be more public momentum from NHL media. Still time for a screw job but it appears to be headed in the right direction.

Hughes a clear favourite for the Norris.

I honestly think Kucherov blatantly half assing the All Star weekend was the deathblow for his Hart chances this year. Yeah, the ASG is dumb and pointless, but having him give a middle finger to the league while he was there probably soured a lot of voters on him for this year. The Hart is partly a popularity contest, and I think Kucherov didn't win any support while dogging it on the ice.

 

[henchman21]

I'm sorry, what? What on earth would make that viable as a franchise? Omaha has half the population of Quebec City, and Canadian dollar be damned, there's no way that an Omaha team would generate more revenue than a Canadian market. The NHL is refusing to answer calls from QC area codes, but they would pick up for Buttscratch, Nebraska?

I mean, the reasons for not bringing back the Nordiques are totally understandable. But aside from the language barrier, all of those reasons would apply double for Omaha. Lack of corporate sponsors, not a popular destination to live for players (you think Columbus is unpopular)... I just couldn't fathom why they would expand into Nebraska when Houston, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta are ripe, low hanging fruits. I'd also consider Portland, Quebec City, and Milwaukee before thinking of that.

Just wait… Omaha will be in the 35/36 conversation.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Just wait… Omaha will be in the 35/36 conversation.

I'm originally from Nebraska, and I can't see a team in Omaha. People from Lincoln and surrounding areas aren't going to drive 50+ miles 2-3 times a week to go to a game that costs $80-$300 a ticket. Kansas City would be a better option than Omahole. Once they get to 36 teams, IMO, It'll end up being SLC, Atlanta, Houston, Arizona, and KC/Quebec City.

 

[henchman21]

I'm originally from Nebraska, and I can't see a team in Omaha. People from Lincoln and surrounding areas aren't going to drive 50+ miles 2-3 times a week to go to a game that costs $80-$300 a ticket. Kansas City would be a better option than Omahole. Once they get to 36 teams, IMO, It'll end up being SLC, Atlanta, Houston, Arizona, and KC/Quebec City.

KC isn’t pushing like Omaha is (not even really pushing. I get that it sounds nuts, but they are one of the ones pushing the hardest. QC isn’t getting a team no matter how much they try.

 

[Balthazar]

Oilers gotta win tonight