Three Teams On the Move?

[BlueNGold]

Quote: Originally Posted by duckfever8

If a team were to move up here, all the bitter Sonics fans would probably use a new NHL team as a substitute, not to mention the fans of the WHL teams in the area would also likely go to games. They would have a natural rivalry with Vancouver. And the NHL almost gave Seattle an expansion team in the late 70's I believe, but they backed out because the current expansion teams at the time were struggling. And Seattle had the first American Hockey team to win a Stanley Cup. So there's history up here to.

Seattle just sounds like too good of a fit for Gary Bettman to move a team...

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by duckfever8

If a team were to move up here, all the bitter Sonics fans would probably use a new NHL team as a substitute, not to mention the fans of the WHL teams in the area would also likely go to games. They would have a natural rivalry with Vancouver. And the NHL almost gave Seattle an expansion team in the late 70's I believe, but they backed out because the current expansion teams at the time were struggling. And Seattle had the first American Hockey team to win a Stanley Cup. So there's history up here to.

Quote: Originally Posted by VanCitySportsGuy

If Seattle ever got a new arena, they deserve a NHL team. The Seattle ESPN radio station took a poll a few months ago whether the listeners wanted a NBA or NHL team, and NHL won by a landslide. Seattle has a long history of teams in the WHL, major corporate sponsors in the area, average household income is above average, and is within a reasonable driving distance from Vancouver.

You guys are making too much sense. And we all know that kind of thinking doesn't mix well with the NHL.
If teams are going to move, expect them to move to hockey hotbeds such as Albuquerque New Mexico.

VanCity, that's amazing regarding the poll taken locals. I hope someone in the NHL got wind of that. Plus, if Atlanta moved there, it would mean Detroit finally gets bumped to the East. YES!

[mikko1995]

I think if Seattle becomes a city that has got a NHL-team, Nucks would be one of the happiest teams after that, because then their traveling time would be smaller.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

Plus, if Atlanta moved there, it would mean Detroit finally gets bumped to the East. YES!

Columbus would shift conferences, not Detroit. The Wings are too much of a draw in West non-hockey markets for them to be moved to the East.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Columbus would shift conferences, not Detroit. The Wings are too much of a draw in West non-hockey markets for them to be moved to the East.

I'd tend to agree. But it sure sounds like Illitch is going to make a huge stink if Detroit isn't moved.

I think he has some pull with the BOG and the commissioner and realistically Detroit's been hosed more than any other team in the league in terms of unfair travel.
It was acceptable in the past when the Central was a joke. But not anymore.

That's why I still think they should go back to 2 divisions per conference and put Toronto back in the West with the Wings.

[BunnyHardaway]

Quote: Originally Posted by duckfever8

If a team were to move up here, all the bitter Sonics fans would probably use a new NHL team as a substitute, not to mention the fans of the WHL teams in the area would also likely go to games. They would have a natural rivalry with Vancouver. And the NHL almost gave Seattle an expansion team in the late 70's I believe, but they backed out because the current expansion teams at the time were struggling. And Seattle had the first American Hockey team to win a Stanley Cup. So there's history up here to.

I think the Sounders have replaced the Sonics quite well, but I'm sure they'd support an NHL team.

Kinda surprised to see the Preds on this list, I thought they had a decent fan base.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by JJLinn

I think the Sounders have replaced the Sonics quite well, but I'm sure they'd support an NHL team. Kinda surprised to see the Preds on this list, I thought they had a decent fan base.

I don't think they have a poor fan base, but they're not getting enough corporate support which is essential in today's NHL.

[jyoung]

Having lived in both places, I can tell you that fan support is an Atlanta problem, not a Nashville one.

No one goes to the Thrashers games, and frankly, you'd have a hard time finding anyone on the street in Atlanta who even knows a single player on the Thrashers' team.

As for Nashville, Money mentioned it already, but the lack of corporate support is what's really killing them.

But with the new lease agreement, we're guaranteed at least another 2 seasons of Predators hockey!

Personally, I would love to see Atlanta move up to Seattle and see Phoenix go back to Winnipeg.