Around the League - 2024-2025

[ULF_55]

Houston and Atlanta make sense in round one and if we go beyond 32 then 36 is the logical number with the current format for balanced divisions. Quebec city should get one in that round of expansion.

Is there enough population to support today's NHL costs?

QC population around 560k.

Some are predicting $1B for a franchise going forward.

 

[rumman]

Is there enough population to support today's NHL costs?

QC population around 560k.

Some are predicting $1B for a franchise going forward.

As much as I’d like to see a team back in QC, it’s too small a market just like The Peg. Atlanta is another former city that couldn’t support a team, shy does Bettman keep wanting to put square pegs in round holes? Houston has the population to support a team, but is there enough interest from those living in the city? Bring s secondvteam to the GTA, it’ll be a no brainer success, Leafs and Sabers get millions for ghe inconvience and the competition makes the Leafs pull up their socks……

 

[ULF_55]

As much as I’d like to see a team back in QC, it’s too small a market just like The Peg. Atlanta is another former city that couldn’t support a team, shy does Bettman keep wanting to put square pegs in round holes? Houston has the population to support a team, but is there enough interest from those living in the city? Bring s secondvteam to the GTA, it’ll be a no brainer success, Leafs and Sabers get millions for ghe inconvience and the competition makes the Leafs pull up their socks……

Yeah, not sure Winnipeg could land one in today's market.

But Arizona is on the waiting list ... cause they care about hockey so much there ... they have cities dying to give land away for an arena.

 

[rumman]

Yeah, not sure Winnipeg could land one in today's market.

But Arizona is on the waiting list ... cause they care about hockey so much there ... they have cities dying to give land away for an arena.

Bettman must get his pockets lined…..Big Time……

 

[ULF_55]

Salim Valji: Nazem Kadri shuts down questions about future in Calgary | TSN

Veteran centre states his love for the city and Flames organization, says his focus is on helping rebuilding team ‘surprise some people.’

www.tsn.ca

Last season, Lindholm was the club’s No. 1 centre. This season, it’ll likely be a rotating cast that includes Backlund, Kadri, and 24-year-old Martin Pospisil. Tanev was the team’s top shutdown blueliner in 2023-24. This season, his role on the second pairing will likely be 24-year-old Kevin Bahl. Markstrom has been replaced in the crease by rookie Dustin Wolf and 27-year-old Dan Vladar.


OUCH. Look at that center depth.

 

[rumman]

Salim Valji: Nazem Kadri shuts down questions about future in Calgary | TSN

Veteran centre states his love for the city and Flames organization, says his focus is on helping rebuilding team ‘surprise some people.’

www.tsn.ca

Last season, Lindholm was the club’s No. 1 centre. This season, it’ll likely be a rotating cast that includes Backlund, Kadri, and 24-year-old Martin Pospisil. Tanev was the team’s top shutdown blueliner in 2023-24. This season, his role on the second pairing will likely be 24-year-old Kevin Bahl. Markstrom has been replaced in the crease by rookie Dustin Wolf and 27-year-old Dan Vladar.


OUCH. Look at that center depth.

Kadri will be a good mentor, guy plays with heart, has won a cup, has experience in being suspended, traded, being a star and being a whipping boy. Lots to pass on the the kids coming up, both good and bad........

 

[Menzinger]

Houston would likely be an instant hit, probably the best option for expansion. Their AHL team is very popular already

Yeah, not sure Winnipeg could land one in today's market.

But Arizona is on the waiting list ... cause they care about hockey so much there ... they have cities dying to give land away for an arena.

Winnipeg's been having attendance issues too last couple seasons. Has probably killed off another Canadian team idea for a while (since Leafs and Sabres won't allow another gta team)

 

[ULF_55]

Winnipeg's been having attendance issues too last couple seasons. Has probably killed off another Canadian team idea for a while (since Leafs and Sabres won't allow another gta team)

Is Kitcher-Waterloo-London in the Leafs protected area? That's a million plus people.

 

[rumman]

Is Kitcher-Waterloo-London in the Leafs protected area? That's a million plus people.

That’s a good question, Guelph’s in the same proximity? They might infringe on Detroit’s territory if it’s London or west of…….

 

[ACC1224]

Is Kitcher-Waterloo-London in the Leafs protected area? That's a million plus people.

University/College town. Wonder how many of that million plus are students?
My daughter is there. Her and her friends go to Kitchener Ranger games all the time.

 

[weems]

What's everyones opinion on these new Ducks jerseys?

 

[ACC1224]

What's everyones opinion on these new Ducks jerseys?

View attachment 908273

Ducking ugly.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Yeah real ugly.

 

[ULF_55]

What's everyones opinion on these new Ducks jerseys?

View attachment 908273

If you like Halloween they're great!

 

[ULF_55]

University/College town. Wonder how many of that million plus are students?
My daughter is there. Her and her friends go to Kitchener Ranger games all the time.

The students are still part of the population.

 

[ACC1224]

The students are still part of the population.

I don’t think you’d want to be reliant on students for ticket sales.

 

[ULF_55]

I don’t think you’d want to be reliant on students for ticket sales.

I doubt over 10% are students, and having lived in London, lots of students had lots of money. Parents buying houses near UWO for their kids.

And my guess is a large portion are attending in their own city.

 

[rumman]

I doubt over 10% are students, and having lived in London, lots of students had lots of money. Parents buying houses near UWO for their kids.

And my guess is a large portion are attending in their own city.

London Kitcher/Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph definitely have enough if a fanbase to support a NHL team, the real question is could ghese fans make the commute from the GTA in time for puck drop?

 

[Menzinger]

Is Kitcher-Waterloo-London in the Leafs protected area? That's a million plus people.

I suspect the Leafs would be aggressively hostile to any new team in southern Ontario.

What's everyones opinion on these new Ducks jerseys?

View attachment 908273

Too much orange but I love the retro Ducks logo.

Also, no disrespect to the guy intended, but Gudas has got to be contender for one of the worst players to be captain in the last decade or more? The guy was a #5 several years ago, let alone what he is today

 

[ULF_55]

I suspect the Leafs would be aggressively hostile to any new team in southern Ontario.

Depends on their agreement with the NHL.

If it is their territory it is off limits, otherwise sucks to be them.

 

[HolyCrap]

Depends on their agreement with the NHL.

If it is their territory it is off limits, otherwise sucks to be them.

On the Sirius NHL channel the other day they were chatting about this. Apparently there nothing the Leafs could do if a team were to be built with in there protected area. All they need to do is pay the price and have the backing of NHL. At least that’s what they said not sure if true.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

What's everyones opinion on these new Ducks jerseys?

View attachment 908273

Halloween themed?

Ugly as Duck

 

[Menzinger]

Depends on their agreement with the NHL.

If it is their territory it is off limits, otherwise sucks to be them.

I don't think they could block it, but I think the commissioner of the NHL (whomever it may be in the future) would be wary of agreeing/picking a nasty fight against a team as wealthy as the Leafs, especially over business considerations

 

[ULF_55]

I don't think they could block it, but I think the commissioner of the NHL (whomever it may be in the future) would be wary of agreeing/picking a nasty fight against a team as wealthy as the Leafs, especially over business considerations

I don't think they care about MLSE.
MLSE will suck it up and keep giving money for nothing.
NHL will take the $1B and move on.
We only wish they were as important as Vegas.

 

[themilosh]

London Kitcher/Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph definitely have enough if a fanbase to support a NHL team, the real question is could ghese fans make the commute from the GTA in time for puck drop?

I'm in Oakville, so while I would love a Hamilton team (serving western GTA and KW... the reality is we could easily support 3 teams (like NYR)..
NYR = TOR
NYI = Oshawa/Ajax/Pickering/Markham
NJ = Hamilton/Oakville/burlington/misissauga
BUF = BUF

I'd be more than happy to throw money at a Hamilton team, but the Leafs are near impossible to like.. the arrogance of the players and management is something to behold

Swing states= Vaughan/Brampton/Newmarket

That's full stadiums, ever night, full attendence every practice, top 10-20 money and a massive diehard fanbase for paraphernalia...

It's insane MLSE holds the cards..