Bigthuder1636 Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I heard that the NHL Board of Directors are having informal talks about the possibility of a 2nd team in Toronto. Apparently they are considering moving Nashville there or allowing Basille to own the 2nd team. This was on WGR this morning and I think they said the story was in a Toronto paper but I dont remember which one. Has anyone else heard this? Would this effect the Sabres market at all?
carpandean Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 The St. Pats? Arenas? Shouldn't they work on getting one real NHL team in Toronto first? ;)
frisky Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Here's a link from the Hamilton Spectator. 2nd Toronto Team Some of the comments totally dis Hamilton as a potential NHL town. But, at least, it sounds like they're looking out for the Sabres a little. They could have the equivalent of the Clippers in Toronto. Edit: Also, looks like Balsillie is still pushing to get a team. Looks like they won't let him have Hamilton though.
wjag Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Be interesting to see how this plays out. While Toronto has the $$$ to support a second team, could they really generate the fan support to compete against the Leafs. I suppose if you made them a WC team, then maybe....I'm all for adding/returning teams to Canadian cities... I'd like to see a team returned to some of the abandoned markets first like Quebec. Still doesn't seem right to me that Quebec doesn't have a team...
nucci Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Be interesting to see how this plays out. While Toronto has the $$$ to support a second team, could they really generate the fan support to compete against the Leafs. I suppose if you made them a WC team, then maybe....I'm all for adding/returning teams to Canadian cities... I'd like to see a team returned to some of the abandoned markets first like Quebec. Still doesn't seem right to me that Quebec doesn't have a team... I miss Winnipeg also.
Two or less Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 They have the market for it, but also, almost each corporation in Toronto supports hockey. With the salary cap, i do think two teams could work very well. I also think the new rivalry would go good for the NHL.
That Aud Smell Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I also think the new rivalry would go good for the NHL. great point, V-M. and given how low the leafs have sunk, it's not as though it would take long for the 2 organ-EYE-zations to be roughly on par. i also think this is a decent compromise for the sabres, since we should still be able to draw fans to hsbc from areas south/west of GTO.
nfreeman Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I see the Leafs vetoing this immediately. As for Quebec and Winnipeg -- I'd like to see them get teams too, but it all comes down to economics. Bottom line is those cities couldn't keep their teams economically viable when they had 'em, so it's an uphill battle -- which will include building arenas -- to change that situation.
SwampD Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I just wonder how this would effect Sabre's ticket sale as there are a lot of Canadian season ticket holders.
Two or less Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I just wonder how this would effect Sabre's ticket sale as there are a lot of Canadian season ticket holders. I doubt it'd would effect it too much. I'm sure some would jump on the new teams bandwagon. However, i pray Hamilton doesn't ever get a team. That's too close to comfort. lol
ROC Sabres Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I just wonder how this would effect Sabre's ticket sale as there are a lot of Canadian season ticket holders. Hopefully a lot so I can finally move up on the list!
Hawerchuk Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I guess it would be kinda like the NYR / NYI thing?
MattPie Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 I see the Leafs vetoing this immediately. As for Quebec and Winnipeg -- I'd like to see them get teams too, but it all comes down to economics. Bottom line is those cities couldn't keep their teams economically viable when they had 'em, so it's an uphill battle -- which will include building arenas -- to change that situation. Didn't a lot of the Canadian teams move south when the CAD$ was something like $0.60USD? Taking a quick look, the USD is rebounding a bit vs. the CAD (CAD$1.21) and the Euro (EUR0.76), so the window for Canadian expansion may have closed. :( I'd rather have Winnepeg and Quebec rather than two teams in Florida.
rbochan Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Toronto couldn't even muster up 2000 people last season for the Marlies PLAYOFFS games. Syracuse Crunch fans outnumbered and out cheered them in their own arena. Why would they ad another team?
Two or less Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Toronto couldn't even muster up 2000 people last season for the Marlies PLAYOFFS games. Syracuse Crunch fans outnumbered and out cheered them in their own arena. Why would they ad another team? Let's not compare the AHL to the NHL..... If Toronto gets a team, they will have tons of backing from corporations.
GoatheadInCT Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Be interesting to see how this plays out. While Toronto has the $$$ to support a second team, could they really generate the fan support to compete against the Leafs. I suppose if you made them a WC team, then maybe....I'm all for adding/returning teams to Canadian cities... I'd like to see a team returned to some of the abandoned markets first like Quebec. Still doesn't seem right to me that Quebec doesn't have a team... Bless you... :) I wish they did too.
nobody Posted October 21, 2008 Report Posted October 21, 2008 Is there a rule about one owner owing two teams in one city? Maybe they will change it for the Leafs owners.
Taro T Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 Be interesting to see how this plays out. While Toronto has the $$$ to support a second team, could they really generate the fan support to compete against the Leafs. I suppose if you made them a WC team, then maybe....I'm all for adding/returning teams to Canadian cities... I'd like to see a team returned to some of the abandoned markets first like Quebec. Still doesn't seem right to me that Quebec doesn't have a team... If LA can support 2 teams and NYC can support 3, I expect TO can support 2 NHL teams. (Or they could probably support 2 nearly NHL quality teams - 1 expansion team and the Loafs. (Sorry Millbank, no offense intended.))
DR HOLLIDAY Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 Toronto could support 2 NHL teams no problem.
PromoTheRobot Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 If I guy like Basille owned an NHL team in Toronto, they would probably be a better team than the Leafs within 3 years, if not less. The thing about the Leafs is that it doesn't matter if they are good or they suck...they print money. If Toronto had another NHL team that people were excited about, it might get the Leafs organization off their butts and actually push them into trying to win for once. PTR
JohnRobertEichel Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 If LA can support 2 teams and NYC can support 3, I expect TO can support 2 NHL teams. (Or they could probably support 2 nearly NHL quality teams - 1 expansion team and the Loafs. (Sorry Millbank, no offense intended.)) Can they, though? The Kings, Devils, and Isles were all known to be in serious financial trouble even before the Wall Street mess. Teams like the Panthers, Thrashers, Coyotes, and Predators would be better off in Toronto, but the NHL as a whole might be better off by focusing on contraction rather than relocation (or worse: more expansion).
ET1062 Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 Give them 3 hockey teams, as long as they stay away from the Sabres and Bills.
snoop Posted October 25, 2008 Report Posted October 25, 2008 Can they, though? The Kings, Devils, and Isles were all known to be in serious financial trouble even before the Wall Street mess. Teams like the Panthers, Thrashers, Coyotes, and Predators would be better off in Toronto, but the NHL as a whole might be better off by focusing on contraction rather than relocation (or worse: more expansion). Easily. And I wouldn't worry about the Canadian currency. It will do fine relative to the greenback. It is currently impossible to get reasonably priced tickets to games here in Toronto. Most of the ACC seating is bought up by corporations so, while there are great hockey fans in Toronto, they don't actually get to go to the games. There is no question that a second team would disadvantage the Leafs but - oh well - a little free-market competition might force them to put a little thought into how they build a winning team. Economically, Toronto could easily support another team. Their veto has been the only thing keeping one out AFAIK. S.
Eleven Posted October 26, 2008 Report Posted October 26, 2008 If I guy like Basille owned an NHL team in Toronto, they would probably be a better team than the Leafs within 3 years, if not less. The thing about the Leafs is that it doesn't matter if they are good or they suck...they print money. If Toronto had another NHL team that people were excited about, it might get the Leafs organization off their butts and actually push them into trying to win for once. PTR You've got it; the Leafs are the Cubs of the NHL.
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