Jim Balsillie OUT!

[nyhockey6 1]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=211577&hubname=nhl

I am glad that Leopold wised up, this guy is an idiot and he strikes out with trying to buy and move another team.

[jeffw 1]

As a Pens fan who came this close to losing my favorite team at the hands of this clown all I can say is congrats to the Preds fans.

[wallin2199 0]

Wised up? I don't even know what Predators management is doing right now. For the team the Predators have, the city of Nashville's support is embarrassing. I would rather see a team in Hamilton where there will be a dedicated fan base considering I don't even think Nashville would know if the Predators left. Balsillie, while stupid, seems to be passionate about hockey at least and thats what hockey needs.

[Chadd 916]

Wised up? I don't even know what Predators management is doing right now. For the team the Predators have, the city of Nashville's support is embarrassing. I would rather see a team in Hamilton where there will be a dedicated fan base considering I don't even think Nashville would know if the Predators left. Balsillie, while stupid, seems to be passionate about hockey at least and thats what hockey needs.

I'm not really sure why we even let you post here anymore.

[wallin2199 0]

Haha, well thanks. All I am saying is that Nashville does not deserve a franchise. They don't support a team with the 4th best record in the NHL and with the moves the Preds are making, I don't see why they will start now. The NHL is far more appreciated in Canada so I feel that having a team in Hamilton with a solid financial backing would be better than being stuck in Nashville.

[mack 44]

The NHL isn't supported in a lot of places and I'm glad to see Canada is solely keeping it afloat as a professional franchise. Now they have something else to be thanked for other than the sandwiches in WWII.

[Bengalpredator 0]

I understand everyone in Hamilton wanting a team, but there in lies the problem with putting a team there. All the fans that would go to the games are already hockey fans and watch the games, so the NHL would gain nothing by putting a team there. In fact they would be just watering the fan base down of three teams (Hamilton, Toronto, and Buffalo). The NHL is a business and for them to make money they need new fans. The only way they can do that is go to places that are not traditional hockey towns. I am from Nashville and been a season ticket holder since day one, so I am biased to keeping a team in Nashville, but to pull the plug now would be a great mistake. Nashville is just now getting the young kids that have grown up playing hockey out of college and in the job market so that they can buy season ticket. We have gone from mens leagues with 3 or 4 teams in each league to 12 teams in each league. Hockey will make it in Nashville, it just needs a little more time. The truth is I think that Balsillie is an genius, he never wanted to buy Nashville in the first place, he just wanted to sell the season tickets in Hamilton to try and get the idea about an expansion to that area in the future. Or he could be an idiot for showing his hand too early when he could of bought the Preds then shipped them next season to where ever he wanted too. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[s Greens 0]

All the fans that would go to the games are already hockey fans and watch the games, so the NHL would gain nothing by putting a team there. In fact they would be just watering the fan base down of three teams (Hamilton, Toronto, and Buffalo). The NHL is a business and for them to make money they need new fans.

I disagree. Even though the fan base in that region is huge already, there is still money that would be made with a team in Hamilton. With the two existing teams, buffalo and toronto, they can only attract so many fans to every game. With a third team in Hamilton, they can sell more tickets, attract more local sponsors and so on. Clearly a team would succeed in Hamilton, let alone many large cities in Canada. Heck, it worked for the three teams in NY state (like Chadd pointed out before i believe). Unfortunately Bettman is still stuck on expanding the game into different parts of the states and attempting to draw new fans

[Bengalpredator 0]

All the fans that would go to the games are already hockey fans and watch the games, so the NHL would gain nothing by putting a team there. In fact they would be just watering the fan base down of three teams (Hamilton, Toronto, and Buffalo). The NHL is a business and for them to make money they need new fans.

Clearly a team would succeed in Hamilton, let alone many large cities in Canada. Heck, it worked for the three teams in NY state (like Chadd pointed out before i believe). Unfortunately Bettman is still stuck on expanding the game into different parts of the states and attempting to draw new fans

I don't disagree that a team would succeed in Hamilton. You would be able to sell more tickets to fans with a new team, but you are not getting anymore people to watch hockey or buy jerseys that are not already watching and buying hockey. Bettman may be a idiot when it comes to hockey, but he is a smart business man, in fact that's all he is about is the money.

[mack 44]

The area's going to be more Predator-friendly than Nashville is. Even when the Titans are crappy they're going to command the talk/press down there. There's nothing close to a community that embraces the Predators down there outside of the arena. There's something to be said when your die-hard fans are up there in the 300 section.

[sabre09923 0]

Pretty much everywhere is going to be a more "Predator-friendly" than Nashville, other than sticking them in the heart of Tennessee.

Oh, wait.

[precursor 0]

Even though I am in Buffalo, I would probably rather see them in Hamilton than in Kansas City or Vegas.

[s Greens 0]

All the fans that would go to the games are already hockey fans and watch the games, so the NHL would gain nothing by putting a team there. In fact they would be just watering the fan base down of three teams (Hamilton, Toronto, and Buffalo). The NHL is a business and for them to make money they need new fans.

Clearly a team would succeed in Hamilton, let alone many large cities in Canada. Heck, it worked for the three teams in NY state (like Chadd pointed out before i believe). Unfortunately Bettman is still stuck on expanding the game into different parts of the states and attempting to draw new fans

Bettman may be a idiot when it comes to hockey, but he is a smart business man, in fact that's all he is about is the money.

He had a vision to make hockey popular in the states, so he took a risk by expanding to cities where he thought hockey could potentially take off. That was a decent business risk to take.

Now almost 10 years later after he's has failed in drawing a half decent fan base from places such as Nashville (not to mention the whole TV deal, thats besides the point tho) he talks about expanding to more US cities where the majority of the people couldnt careless about getting a team. If he wants to make money, he'd identify an appropriate hockey market and move or create a franchise there

[Chadd 916]

All the fans that would go to the games are already hockey fans and watch the games, so the NHL would gain nothing by putting a team there. In fact they would be just watering the fan base down of three teams (Hamilton, Toronto, and Buffalo). The NHL is a business and for them to make money they need new fans.

Clearly a team would succeed in Hamilton, let alone many large cities in Canada. Heck, it worked for the three teams in NY state (like Chadd pointed out before i believe). Unfortunately Bettman is still stuck on expanding the game into different parts of the states and attempting to draw new fans

I don't disagree that a team would succeed in Hamilton. You would be able to sell more tickets to fans with a new team, but you are not getting anymore people to watch hockey or buy jerseys that are not already watching and buying hockey. Bettman may be a idiot when it comes to hockey, but he is a smart business man, in fact that's all he is about is the money.

It's also going to put a strain on the Sabres franchise when they aren't stacked and headed to the conference finals. In reference to my comments about the three NY teams; Two teams in TORONTO would work better for the NHL than putting a team in Hamilton. Two in TO is the comparison, not a team halfway between the two existing franchises.

Even though I am in Buffalo, I would probably rather see them in Hamilton than in Kansas City or Vegas.

Obviously you aren't part of the ownership group in Buffalo.

[precursor 0]

I have said in the past that I think a franchise in Hamilton will hurt the Sabres during the years when they don't make the playoffs or sell out every game like they are now.

But, for the NHL in general, I believe that trying to force a team down the throats of cities that really wont end up supporting them in the long run is terrible. Atleast in Hamilton, or another Canadian city, the franchise will have a chance with the fans.

[sabre09923 0]

The only expansion team in recent memory that has been embraced by its city has been Minnesota. Other than them, it has been dismal as far as location goes... Atlanta, Columbus, and Nashville have not had a good fanbase so far.

[mack 44]

is the NHL really embraced in any US city though? Attendance aside, I'm just curious if you see people out there talking about it or wearing its merchandise.

[sabre09923 0]

Actually, you'd be right. Maybe in Buffalo, and in St. Paul/Minneapolis it's actually talked about, but here in Massachusetts, it's mostly all about the Patriots/Red Sox and the Bruins are ignored (with good reason). There's a lot of hockey around here, but you could definitely argue that NCAA hockey is bigger than the pro game.

[mack 44]

Yeah, attendance is a bad thing to gauge it because even if Nashville packed the stands the fact it barely registers among the community is pretty sad. I'd be off to see them in the playoffs and it was barely an "oh" from work.

[sabre09923 0]

The question remains, though, if the Preds (or any other team, for that matter) were moved, what would be the best place for them to go?

[Jason Harris 31]

is the NHL really embraced in any US city though? Attendance aside, I'm just curious if you see people out there talking about it or wearing its merchandise.

It is in Denver. I'd say the Avs are second most popular team behind the Broncos.

And it was in Boston, but too many years of mediocrity -- and the impression that ownership hasn't cared enough -- has nearly killed that market. I remember a conversation in the late 80's with a guy who was a few years older than me. He said when the Celts won 9 of 10 championships during the 60's, they weren't selling out, while the Garden was packed for the perenially last-place B's.

[sabre09923 0]

It's just a shame, though, how much hockey (in terms of general interest) has declined in Boston, although there are a ton of youth teams in the area. Of course, I don't live in the heart of Boston (quite far away, actually, around an hour), but that's the general vibe you get from the attendance and TV ratings -- no one really cares about pro hockey. The Beanpot games are packed and incredibly intense, but Bruins games are horrible. That's what piss poor management and ownership does to you, though. The attitude, at least in years' past, is, "Hey, let's get to the playoffs, and call it a successful season." The Bruins haven't been out there trying to win the Cup, and they don't play with heart.

[mack 44]

The question remains, though, if the Preds (or any other team, for that matter) were moved, what would be the best place for them to go?

Obviously a Canadian city if you want to go for the community support, but I think that will wear out and they'll still be a financially unstable team. Best bet? Keep them where they're at and hope it pans out.

[Chadd 916]

The only expansion team in recent memory that has been embraced by its city has been Minnesota. Other than them, it has been dismal as far as location goes... Atlanta, Columbus, and Nashville have not had a good fanbase so far.

The building was packed for the freaking draft in Columbus. They also finished #19 in attendance, not bad considering they finished the season at 33-42-7. The 16,400 fans they averaged is only 24 fewer per game than Pittsburgh, who had a ton of marketable young talent.

[hockeytim18 0]

The only expansion team in recent memory that has been embraced by its city has been Minnesota. Other than them, it has been dismal as far as location goes... Atlanta, Columbus, and Nashville have not had a good fanbase so far.

The building was packed for the freaking draft in Columbus. They also finished #19 in attendance, not bad considering they finished the season at 33-42-7. The 16,400 fans they averaged is only 24 fewer per game than Pittsburgh, who had a ton of marketable young talent.

Our arena isn't too big here either but I mean I doubt theirs is much bigger. We did pretty good in the attendance this year I think. Every game I went to was a standing room sellout.