Hamilton Bulldogs 2022-23 Season Thread

[bigsportsfan]

Hamilton will not be without a hockey team. Once the arena renovations are done, if the Bulldogs don't come back, another OHL team would move in. There might be some issues with the Bulldogs blocking it due to territorial rights but if the OHL wants a team in Hamilton, a team will play in Hamilton regardless of whether Andlauer will allow it or not. In the OHL territorial rights exist on paper, but in reality mean nothing.

And if no OHL team moves in, the AHL will return to Hamilton.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Rematch of last years championship game.

Will be interesting to see Wright and the spits vs this version of the bulldogs.

 

[Otto]

Hamilton will not be without a hockey team. Once the arena renovations are done, if the Bulldogs don't come back, another OHL team would move in. There might be some issues with the Bulldogs blocking it due to territorial rights but if the OHL wants a team in Hamilton, a team will play in Hamilton regardless of whether Andlauer will allow it or not. In the OHL territorial rights exist on paper, but in reality mean nothing.

And if no OHL team moves in, the AHL will return to Hamilton.

I just don't see a team in Hamilton as a slam dunk, especially in this economy. The only team I could see moving is Mississauga and their lease is up this year. Relocation of an AHL team is very expensive teams are watching their pennies.

As for "territorial rights only exist on paper" Hasn't there been a few attempts to get a team in Chatham and Waterloo that have been blocked over the years?

 

[Jawk]

I just don't see a team in Hamilton as a slam dunk, especially in this economy. The only team I could see moving is Mississauga and their lease is up this year. Relocation of an AHL team is very expensive teams are watching their pennies.

As for "territorial rights only exist on paper" Hasn't there been a few attempts to get a team in Chatham and Waterloo that have been blocked over the years?

When the OHL Bulldogs became a thing they had the momentum of the Bulldogs brand. Quite honestly, from the last AHL year to the first OHL year, there were people in the crowd that had no idea.

I'm not sure the "Hamilton Steelheads" would have the same ring to it. Of course the appeal of the new facility may offset those initial challenges.

The territorial rights issue I think will come in to play to allow Andlauer to prevent another team in Hamilton before he commits to one city or another. I like Andlauere, but even his biggest supporters must realize that over the next couple of years he is going to use Brantford vs. Hamilton to leverage his position.

 

[barriers]

I'm not sure the "Hamilton Steelheads" would have the same ring to it.

Clearly someone has forgotten the 1998 CTV original series 'Power Play'

Side note: If anyone ever sees one of these ugly jerseys for sale hit me up

 

[ohloutsider]

When the OHL Bulldogs became a thing they had the momentum of the Bulldogs brand. Quite honestly, from the last AHL year to the first OHL year, there were people in the crowd that had no idea.

I'm not sure the "Hamilton Steelheads" would have the same ring to it. Of course the appeal of the new facility may offset those initial challenges.

The territorial rights issue I think will come in to play to allow Andlauer to prevent another team in Hamilton before he commits to one city or another. I like Andlauere, but even his biggest supporters must realize that over the next couple of years he is going to use Brantford vs. Hamilton to leverage his position.

Considering how Hamilton has treated Andlauer (sp) over the last few years do you really blame him?

 

[Jawk]

Considering how Hamilton has treated Andlauer (sp) over the last few years do you really blame him?

Not at all. I should have been more clear, I fully support Andlauer and his decisions based on city council support. They've never viewed the Bulldogs as anything more than a replacement level tenant.

There are just some supporters that refuse to believe he also plays politics.

 

[EvenSteven]

I'm not sure the "Hamilton Steelheads" would have the same ring to it.

I’d go with Steelhawks. Flashback to the 80’s. Very cool name. Hamilton is the steel city after all.

Now if you could only hire the late Bill LaForge to coach…….

 

[Helvigster]

I’d go with Steelhawks. Flashback to the 80’s. Very cool name. Hamilton is the steel city after all.

Now if you could only hire the late Bill LaForge to coach…….

Our senior hockey team is already named the Steelhawks unfortunately. I think the Bulldogs name is too classic to just fade out.

 

[spits]

Rematch of last years championship game.

Will be interesting to see Wright and the spits vs this version of the bulldogs.

There is a pretty good chance Wright will not be playing again. He played 1 period on Thursday (had 3 points) and exited with the same ankle injury.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I just don't see a team in Hamilton as a slam dunk, especially in this economy. The only team I could see moving is Mississauga and their lease is up this year. Relocation of an AHL team is very expensive teams are watching their pennies.

As for "territorial rights only exist on paper" Hasn't there been a few attempts to get a team in Chatham and Waterloo that have been blocked over the years?

I can see the Rangers blocking a team in Waterloo as Kitchener-Waterloo are essentially the same city.

I haven't heard about anyone blocking a team in Chatham as I know recently the city has held talks with an OHL team relocating there and the city is also exploring building a new 4,000 seat arena.

When the Belleville Bulls moved to Hamilton at least one existing OHL team blocked the move but the league rejected their bid to block it.

 

[Rounder8]

I wouldn't blame Andlauer at all if he moved the team and I fully expect him to play politics in the next 3 years. He actually should.

There are a few things that make me think he will bring the team back. 1)He has always been all about Hamilton even though it hasn't been reciprocated. 2)He will have access (if he reaches an agreement) to a newly renovated arena. 3)If he ever wants to own a team that hosts a Memorial Cup I think that he needs to bring the team back. I can see the league allowing a new look FOC to host, but I can't see it happening in Brantford.

There is one major thing that worries me. Hamilton city council are a bunch of morons.

Congrats to Masen Wray on his first OHL goal. I could see this coming and I hope that he continues to grow as a player. I see some potential there.

 

[Otto]

I wouldn't blame Andlauer at all if he moved the team and I fully expect him to play politics in the next 3 years. He actually should.

There are a few things that make me think he will bring the team back. 1)He has always been all about Hamilton even though it hasn't been reciprocated. 2)He will have access (if he reaches an agreement) to a newly renovated arena. 3)If he ever wants to own a team that hosts a Memorial Cup I think that he needs to bring the team back. I can see the league allowing a new look FOC to host, but I can't see it happening in Brantford.

There is one major thing that worries me. Hamilton city council are a bunch of morons.

Congrats to Masen Wray on his first OHL goal. I could see this coming and I hope that he continues to grow as a player. I see some potential there.

Other than support from City council and in the absence of another team I don't see why a Brantford based team couldn't put in a bid hosting it in Hamilton.

 

[Hammer9001]

HUPEG out here saying it's everyone else that is being shady.

HUPEG addresses some of the Bulldog Criticisms over First Ontario Arena

This week the Hamilton Bulldogs announced plans to relocate to Brantford due to the renovations that will be taking place at First Ontario Centre starting later this year that are being carried out by HUPEG, the consortium who are taking over Hamilton’s entertainment facilities. In making the...

bayobserver.ca

I'm far more inclined to believe in Andlauer then HUPEG. It makes perfect sense why they wouldn't give him a lease promise at this point. It doesn't make sense for Andlauer to lie about not meeting them to gain a small modicum of potential leverage in the court of public opinion, for an issue that's now at minimum, two years away (likely three or more).

HUPEG is right about how the city handles documents, that is unless barring some exceptional secrecy provisions which it wouldn't shock me the last council would have agreed to in order to salt the earth on the new council, or time landmine of a stadium deal behind.

I completely disagree with HUPEG saying there is a difference how they are handling this deal, as they did the stadium renovation. Sure, the new facility isn't going to a new location but you told him, he could operate during the reno and you have opted to start it, right as the next season begins. There is zero reason to not delay till June of next year, or expedite to the same time this year if this is such a flawless build plan.

 

[Hammer9001]

I just don't see a team in Hamilton as a slam dunk, especially in this economy. The only team I could see moving is Mississauga and their lease is up this year. Relocation of an AHL team is very expensive teams are watching their pennies.

As for "territorial rights only exist on paper" Hasn't there been a few attempts to get a team in Chatham and Waterloo that have been blocked over the years?

To the former, relocation of AHL teams happen all the time. Frankly, most NHL teams now own their AHL affiliate and actively run the teams at a loss, just so they can have their call ups closer, which to me is the strongest case for the Marlies rellocating.

The Marlies are second fiddle in Toronto, especially with the NHL team right there, and while I don't know how good their arena deal is at Exhibition, I can totally see Hamilton being used as leverage at minimum for that renewal, or to outright move to a newer, larger facility that the Leafs can potentially squeeze more money out of then what they can get out of Toronto proper.

To the later, I believe someone did try in Waterloo, I'm not aware of any in Chatham but in the case of Waterloo, it's understandable. There hasn't been a real divide between Kitchener and Waterloo in a long time. KW is effectively the same city and the city is way too small to support two teams. That said, if Andlauer has the rights, the OHL isn't just going to let them be trampled unless there is something big involved.

 

[Rounder8]

Other than support from City council and in the absence of another team I don't see why a Brantford based team couldn't put in a bid hosting it in Hamilton.

We will see after their upgrades are done, but if the state of the arena was a reason why Hamilton didn't get one, the rink in Brantford is MUCH worse.

 

[Roadhog]

To the former, relocation of AHL teams happen all the time. Frankly, most NHL teams now own their AHL affiliate and actively run the teams at a loss, just so they can have their call ups closer, which to me is the strongest case for the Marlies rellocating.

The Marlies are second fiddle in Toronto, especially with the NHL team right there, and while I don't know how good their arena deal is at Exhibition, I can totally see Hamilton being used as leverage at minimum for that renewal, or to outright move to a newer, larger facility that the Leafs can potentially squeeze more money out of then what they can get out of Toronto proper.

To the later, I believe someone did try in Waterloo, I'm not aware of any in Chatham but in the case of Waterloo, it's understandable. There hasn't been a real divide between Kitchener and Waterloo in a long time. KW is effectively the same city and the city is way too small to support two teams. That said, if Andlauer has the rights, the OHL isn't just going to let them be trampled unless there is something big involved.

The Marlies are 10 minutes away, in an area operated by MLSE on behalf of the city. Why would MLSE move them an hour away, and likely pay higher rent at the same time?? Not to mention the Leafs and Marlies practice at the same rink, almost daily, and literally at the same time. Sounds like wishful thinking on your part.

 

[Otto]

We will see after their upgrades are done, but if the state of the arena was a reason why Hamilton didn't get one, the rink in Brantford is MUCH worse.

I think you need to re-read my post

 

[Helvigster]

I think you need to re-read my post

Forgive my ignorance, but is that allowed by any chance? Are CHL teams allowed to apply to host a Memorial Cup that isn't in their own arena? I'm assuming that the hosting arena in question needs to be a certain amount of distance closest to the hosting team's main arena, but I'm just curious nonetheless.

 

[Otto]

Forgive my ignorance, but is that allowed by any chance? Are CHL teams allowed to apply to host a Memorial Cup that isn't in their own arena? I'm assuming that the hosting arena in question needs to be a certain amount of distance closest to the hosting team's main arena, but I'm just curious nonetheless.

I'm not sure, I don't see why it shouldn't be allowed. It could create a bigger guarantee

 

[Rounder8]

I'm not sure, I don't see why it shouldn't be allowed. It could create a bigger guarantee

It would be ironic if the only time the city council supported the Bulldogs was when they were in another city.

 

[Otto]

It would be ironic if the only time the city council supported the Bulldogs was when they were in another city.

If there's no team there, and it's sitting as a white elephant, they would be smart to be the ones initiating the process

 

[UpwardBoss]

To the former, relocation of AHL teams happen all the time. Frankly, most NHL teams now own their AHL affiliate and actively run the teams at a loss, just so they can have their call ups closer, which to me is the strongest case for the Marlies rellocating.

The Marlies are second fiddle in Toronto, especially with the NHL team right there, and while I don't know how good their arena deal is at Exhibition, I can totally see Hamilton being used as leverage at minimum for that renewal, or to outright move to a newer, larger facility that the Leafs can potentially squeeze more money out of then what they can get out of Toronto proper.

To the later, I believe someone did try in Waterloo, I'm not aware of any in Chatham but in the case of Waterloo, it's understandable. There hasn't been a real divide between Kitchener and Waterloo in a long time. KW is effectively the same city and the city is way too small to support two teams. That said, if Andlauer has the rights, the OHL isn't just going to let them be trampled unless there is something big involved.

The Marlies aren’t moving. They draw well in Toronto as a secondary option to the expensive Leafs (ergo, they have their own space in the market), and unless there’s something I’m unaware of, the Leafs have shown no interest in moving them.

 

[Rounder8]

If there's no team there, and it's sitting as a white elephant, they would be smart to be the ones initiating the process

Now you need to re-read my posts.lol The one where I called city council morons.

The next time Hamilton City Council does something smart will be the first time that they do something smart.

 

[Otto]

Now you need to re-read my posts.lol The one where I called city council morons.

The next time Hamilton City Council does something smart will be the first time that they do something smart.

Oh.. I don't disagree with you. It's not a Hamilton thing, it's a political thing. Hamilton city council should be putting contingency plans in place in the event the team doesn't return, and they should keep the lines of communication open. No doubt they won't until the next election comes around and they will all be pointing fingers at each other. Sadly by that time it'll be too late to try and submit a reasonable bid.