Las Vegas granted NHL franchise - update post 212

[Sturm]

Las Vegas Gamblers? Haha probably not the name they want to go with, but the uniforms should have some sort of poker chip or playing card on the shoulder. I'd go. It would be an awesome weekend, plus it'll save me from losing money at the card tables by being at a hockey game for a few hours. I think the NHL will be a fad there, I can see it being a big for a couple years but interest will be lost

 

[DKH]

I hope they at least have dice on the shoulders like the Chicago C with the crossed tomahawk.

If this works I hope they expand to Cuba next. I've always wanted to go there and I'm sure Hockey Night in Havana would catch on.

 

[member 96824]

I've come around to the idea, and I'll definitely say that the T Mobile arena is one of the, if not the most beautiful in the league already, at least on the outside and its location is awesome. The trouble with Arizona, Florida, and others is they tried cutting costs by putting the arena in the burbs. That was the rumor with Seattle as well...not Vegas, right on the strip on the New York, New York/MGM end. Can't miss it.

They've also got over 2 mil residents who are dying to get entertainment outside of the tourist traps. The more and more I've looked into this over the last year, the more I'm okay with it. Certainly over QC...outside of nostalgia, which is worthless, QC has minimal appeal. Doesn't help grow the sport, has a small population and faulty economy. The greater Toronto Area has 3 cities that aren't Toronto with a larger population than QC has. No thanks.

I'm thinking this is way more Nashville than it is Phoenix in terms of expansion

 

[DominicT]

I keep checking my email for a job offer.

 

[Spanky185]

I think people are underestimating what having a sole professional sports team means to a city. Vegas is a transplant city. There are plenty with east coast hockey roots to form a base. Especially if the team is as competitive as it should be out of the gate.

It may work out longer than you expect. This is thier first major sport team is it not? If I lived in state that finally had one I'd be estatic

it will be the first major league team for Las Vegas, but not the first major/professional sports team. the Mets AAA club is in Vegas (the 51s)

 

[KrejciMVP]

What's sad is Vegas will win a Cup before Toronto and most certainly Montreal

Tis true!

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Nhl needs more teams
Not less. More mistakes = more goals and maybe fights

 

[Eco]

I think it's great. Another team, more revenue, higher cap, a fun destination.

I think it's going to be a huge success. What hockey fan wouldn't want to make catching a game in LV part of their trip? And the city itself is filled with transplants from hockey towns.

This is good for the league.

This.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Wouldnt Florida also be considered a state with transplant hockey fans?

 

[Eco]

Wouldnt Florida also be considered a state with transplant hockey fans?

Yes, with other professional sports to take consumer's time and money.

The NHL is currently the lone wolf in LV.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Yes, with other professional sports to take consumer's time and money.

The NHL is currently the lone wolf in LV.

I assume a large number if their fans support LA teams as well. Just saying as an owner I'd invest in a fan base guerenteed to show up.

 

[VanIsle]

Great news for us West Coasters over here, I can probably get a flight and hotel for 3 days from here and go watch a game cheaper than I can catching the ferry to Vancouver and staying in that market.

Good news everybody, I am going on vacation in 2017 to Vegas.

 

[Glove Malfunction]

Except, you know, normal population growth. The US alone has grown by 100 million since the Bluejackets joined the league. Bad argument.

I get your point, but the real population growth since 2000 when CBJ were founded is more like 40 million.

 

[Ladyfan]

Should heave been Quebec City

 

[Gee Wally]

Should heave been Quebec City

Agreed.

 

[Lockheed]

Think a lot of people are going to be surprised. Really feel like this will work out well.

 

[wintersej]

I get your point, but the real population growth since 2000 when CBJ were founded is more like 40 million.

You are right.

 

[TheBigBadB]

How about we compromise and call them Mighty Knights

haha no kidding

 

[BruinsBtn]

$500m fee. That's crazy money.

 

[ODAAT]

I keep checking my email for a job offer.

You`ll need an assistant, I shall be that assistant

 

[Sheppy]

Think a lot of people are going to be surprised. Really feel like this will work out well.

Me too.

 

[ashnathan]

Just...confused. Vegas I can't see being a big hockey market, why not Quebec? Makes no sense when you think of hockey market/attendance figures etc. We'll see though.

 

[talkinaway]

Left up to me, they would have been the Las Vegas Nights, and their jerseys would have been black and neon

The franchise already has a committed fan base with 10,000 + season tickets promised, so they say.

But, think of the fun of taking in a Bs road game in the City of Sin, instead of Pittsburgh or Columbus.

Actually, I'm guessing that our season will be 4 games each against 7 in the Atlantic, 3 games each against 8 in the Pacific, for a total of 52 EC games. That leaves 30 WC games, which is exactly 2 games each for the 15 teams.

So, what's the difference? Shaving off two ATLANTIC games (one home, one road), not two Metro games. So, we'll get one road game to Vegas, but give up our extra road trip to Florida, Buffalo, or Poutineville.

Although we're probably not going to get another extra MTL road trip for 7 more seasons, seeing as we played 3 there this past season.

 

[ashnathan]

Actually, I'm guessing that our season will be 4 games each against 7 in the Atlantic, 3 games each against 8 in the Pacific, for a total of 52 EC games. That leaves 30 WC games, which is exactly 2 games each for the 15 teams.

So, what's the difference? Shaving off two ATLANTIC games (one home, one road), not two Metro games. So, we'll get one road game to Vegas, but give up our extra road trip to Florida, Buffalo, or Poutineville.

Although we're probably not going to get another extra MTL road trip for 7 more seasons, seeing as we played 3 there this past season.

Last 2 seasons wasnt it? We've been traveling to MTL more than they travel to Boston for what feels like an age now (last 2 years definitely)

 

[jcase]

Las Vegas will sell out all the time, no one will be in the stands but casinos will buy the tickets as comps.

The casinos will NOT buy tickets. They want you in the casinos not at an NHL game.