Nashville Predators sold

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/6844546

[RadioGaGa 162]

Obviously the League didn't put the restrictions on this deal that they put on the Pit deal that he backed out of.

So...where so you think the team will end up?

[JGraz15 53]

Probably Hamilton where he wanted originally. He will keep them in Nashville for a year or so, say he gave it a shot and it isn't a viable business decision....yada yada yada, team is moved to the GTA...I personally don't care either way. Would probably be better to have another Canadian team.

[J-Shera 0]

I would like to see them in Winnipeg( Or in Saskatchewan, but thats a bad idea). I just don't like the idea of a Hamilton team, I don't know why.

[s Greens 0]

GO JETS GO!!

[mac23 0]

Winnipeg would be good, or I've heard Halifax might work out. I'm not sure Hamilton would be so great, as it's pretty close to both Buffalo and Toronto. It'd be nice to have another NHL team in a city that cares about hockey. I doubt that they stay in Nashville for more than a year or two.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Probably Hamilton where he wanted originally. He will keep them in Nashville for a year or so, say he gave it a shot and it isn't a viable business decision....yada yada yada, team is moved to the GTA...I personally don't care either way. Would probably be better to have another Canadian team.

Nashville had to average 14000 tickets per game this year for a guaranteed return of the team. I believe they averaged about 13550ish (give or take), meaning the owner, or new owner is free to initiate relocation after the 07/08 season

[D aka speck 0]

Nashville had to average 14000 tickets per game this year for a guaranteed return of the team. I believe they averaged about 13550ish (give or take), meaning the owner, or new owner is free to initiate relocation after the 07/08 season

so basically, what you're saying is that the team could intentionally be run down next season, just to move them?

or is there some sort of policy preventing the intentional part?

holy politics batman!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Nashville had to average 14000 tickets per game this year for a guaranteed return of the team. I believe they averaged about 13550ish (give or take), meaning the owner, or new owner is free to initiate relocation after the 07/08 season

so basically, what you're saying is that the team could intentionally be run down next season, just to move them?

or is there some sort of policy preventing the intentional part?

holy politics batman!

It was actually this season that was the trigger season. They are committed to a lease through next season, the numbers fell short this season.

So they only have to honor their lease through the end of next year.

That gives them this full season to find potential suitors, rather than trying to shift the franchise in 3 months from June to September

[RadioGaGa 162]

They WON'T be coming to Hamilton. This city doesn't support ANYTHING.

They'd sell out for the Leafs...sell out for Buffalo...draw well for Montreal and have 12,000 (MAYBE) every other home game.

Besides...the money needed to get Copps up to NHL snuff would be INSANE!

[hockechamp14 0]

Hartford..... :lol:

[Wayne 0]

Nashville had to average 14000 tickets per game this year for a guaranteed return of the team. I believe they averaged about 13550ish (give or take), meaning the owner, or new owner is free to initiate relocation after the 07/08 season

so basically, what you're saying is that the team could intentionally be run down next season, just to move them?

or is there some sort of policy preventing the intentional part?

holy politics batman!

A real life SLAPSHOT storyline!

"In fact, I've got some equipment I'd like to sell. The skate sharpener, the massage table, the Jacuzzi, our bus... Transways Express Flyernumber 83"

[Eazy_b97 1]

They WON'T be coming to Hamilton. This city doesn't support ANYTHING.

They'd sell out for the Leafs...sell out for Buffalo...draw well for Montreal and have 12,000 (MAYBE) every other home game.

Besides...the money needed to get Copps up to NHL snuff would be INSANE!

I don't believe they could even renovate it. They'd need a new arena entirely.

[Medic 0]

From what I've read, it seem like Southern Ontario is the most viable option for another franchise. Support for OHL hockey is huge, and even though there would be some encroachment on Buff/Tor, but provided that Toronto doesnt get special treatment, it could happen. Of course they would need to find an area that put them outside of TOR/BUF's territory, or pay them off (which would cost a huge amount). The Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey and had to pay $35 Million (in 1980's dollars!). If you put it in Kitchner-Waterloo, and were careful about placement you would avoid that, and could give Toronto the finger. And everyone loves that.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Last I heard Buffalo was holding up a team moreso than Toronto.

[hockeyplyr814 0]

This sucks, I just moved here to Nashville a month ago, and now they might lose their team.

[Monty22 833]

Hartford..... :lol:

Sigh, if only that was even a remote possibility....

How about Quebec?

[blueliner27 12]

They'd make another team in the west....

don't know which one will be....

[crazylegs_9 0]

A move like that would maybe even put detroit in the east...and that is all i care about. Maybe seattle/portland?

[RadioGaGa 162]

They WON'T be coming to Hamilton. This city doesn't support ANYTHING.

They'd sell out for the Leafs...sell out for Buffalo...draw well for Montreal and have 12,000 (MAYBE) every other home game.

Besides...the money needed to get Copps up to NHL snuff would be INSANE!

I don't believe they could even renovate it. They'd need a new arena entirely.

I was talking to a guy from the Dogs and a guy from HECFI (who run the rink) and he said that there is a way to add an upper deck concourse. The initial structure is there to build onto and do it...but it imagine it wouldn't be cheap.

[willy0314 0]

There was alot of uproar locally with the chance of Pittsburg moving to Hamilton a few months ago. I remember hearing that if they wanted to, the sabres and leafs could block the move due to the encroachment on marketspace. Southern Ontario is certainly part of the Buffalo market, theres a good number of season ticket holders for the sabres and the bills that come from across the boarder.

[Chadd 916]

From what I've read, it seem like Southern Ontario is the most viable option for another franchise. Support for OHL hockey is huge, and even though there would be some encroachment on Buff/Tor, but provided that Toronto doesnt get special treatment, it could happen. Of course they would need to find an area that put them outside of TOR/BUF's territory, or pay them off (which would cost a huge amount). The Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey and had to pay $35 Million (in 1980's dollars!). If you put it in Kitchner-Waterloo, and were careful about placement you would avoid that, and could give Toronto the finger. And everyone loves that.

No way another team ends up in southern Ontario unless it's a second team in Toronto. The Leafs can handle another team in their backyard, the Sabres can't.

[Steveo 0]

A few of us before a game were talking about Hamilton getting a team and when they did a presale of tickets to see if the market was there they actually presold 18,000 season tickets, and a bunch of corporate boxes

Some good audio aboout the ordeal

Hopefully Nashville moves regardless, their fans have to be the most annoying fans to listen to while trying to watch a game. I would be embarssed if I were one of the players.

[Wayne 0]

Maybe seattle/portland?

Not a chance, both cities have WHL teams, and don't do all that well when it comes to attendance.

Kansas City has built a huge new arena in the hopes that they can land either an NBA or NHL franchise within the next few years- that is a strong possibility.

[Chadd 916]

I still think Nashville has the potential to be a good market and it can't be much worse than KC. If the preds had managed to make a long run in the playoffs Broadway has the potential to be a great party area. If they don't say that they plan to stay though, this sale could really hurt attendance this year as fans rarely stick around for a lame duck season.