Who wants expansion in the NHL?

Question

More teams, more problems?

Answer 1

I don't, but that won't stop them from expanding. It dilutes the talent, promotes widespread parity, thus, reduces the quality of the game.

Not to mention the financial strain that some teams have already placed upon the well-to-do teams. Guess who foots the bill for that?

That's right.

The hockey fan.

Answer 2

I'm in agreement with most of the people here. The league has become extremely diluted since the big expansion push years ago. There wasn't enough talent then and there's even less now. Funny thing is before the expansion the game/league was running fine. I believe the NHL is in the mess it is now because of the expansion, which has caused panic to 'change' the game. They should have left it alone.

I also agree with what others pointed out - The league needs to get rid of a few teams to bring back the quality hockey we once had. I mean all you have to do is look at the attendance records of some of these expansion teams and realize how much money is flying out the window.

Answer 3

Can a new team be added to the mix in the NHL? Sure...BUT, only in the right location can it do well. There may well be places where the current teams, that aren't doing well, could go to make them a more solid franchise. But without a solid TV contract in place all it will do is dilute the meager amount they have in the current deal.

Without a way to get more revenue into the system than already goes into it they would be better served to cut out teams before ANY expansion.

Answer 4

Expansion at this point is not desirable. Some of the existing NHL franchises should be moved to more suitable markets, but they must also be able to provide an equal or greater value than the "former market". The obvious solution of contraction would make sense, but the NHL would not want to alienate themselves from many different regions of North America... (Ideally, markets like Winnipeg, New England, maybe even Houston if possible should get a relocated franchise at the expense of a weak market that has very little hope of getting a positive return on their investment)...

Answer 5

The only people who want more expansion are the cities that don't have a team and the owners of NHL teams that would receive cash reimbursements for the expansion. In other words, no one that actually cares about the quality of hockey.

Answer 6

The NHL should not consider expansion. The talent pool has become more and more diluted with the addition of more NHL teams over the years.

Answer 7

the watering down of the talent has nothing to do with it- Hockey expansion occurred in parallel with the game opening up to more and more European and Asian (Russian) players. the talent pool doubled, and the teams increased only 30%. so its not a talent issue.

its a sustainable market issue. without a major TV contract, teams have to charge way too much for tickets. and the game becomes cost prohibitive to attend live, which is the best way to draw new fans. with hockey, it will only truly be accepted on TV, by those who have seen it live. Expansion is a bad idea...focus on improving the existing franchises.

Answer 8

Talent pool is already diluted enough at this point...plus the fact that teams in the southern US are having severe issues with local support.

I mean, in places like Phoenix, Raleigh and Miami...who in their right mind would want to attend 41 hockey games a year plus playoffs?

If anything the league should possibly contract and move some franchises back to more northern US cities or even back into Canada.

Answer 9

a million. Halifax, Nova Scotia - (Quebec city became into on my roster in the commencing up, yet Quebec already has a hockey group.) 2. Knights (or Baronets, yet Knights has extra of a hoop to it pondering ninety 3% remains under Canadian/British background) 3. White and blue in connection with the white and blue flag of Nova Scotia 4. LW - Ilya Kovalchuk, C - Sidney Crosby, RW - Alexander Ovechkin, D - Shea Weber, D - Dion Phaenuf, G - Roberto Luongo 5. Pat LaFontaine 6. Ozzy Osbourne 7. Molson, Labatt, and so on. 8. Umm.. despite is the favored pizza chain in Halifax, lol. 9. Vancouver 10. The mascot would of course be a knight with some royal call. Sir Pimpalottapuss or something.

Answer 10

After reading all these answers, not a single fan. The problem is we aren't in charge.

But unfortunately with expansion comes expansion fees. That means more money in the pockets of the owners, many of whom aren't willing to spend money to make their teams competitive (I'm talking to you, Bill Wirtz & Jeremy Jacobs).

Contraction is the way to go. Phoenix was a terrible decision. Sunrise, FL, Raleigh, Atlanta, Nashville...

Answer 11

We have too many as it is... I think the states have more hockey teams than they could ever need. As successful as Nashville was last year the games were so under supported.I imagine it was like that throughout the league. Think about all the teams you would never have an interest in watching one of their games. Many people probably feel the same way. I mean has anyone here even heard of a Coyote fan?