Expansion in the NHL?

Question

Who thinks they should expand the NHL, again?

I think its stupid to even think about it.
Just relocate one or two of the teams.
*Cough* Florida and Pheonix *Cough*

so what do ou people think?

Undertaker, how does that make me immature, go back to watching fake sports.

Mr. Taco, the players you listed wouldnt get sent to other teams.... they would just move to wherever the team gets relocated. Like Vokoun, Jokinen and all them on the panthers.. lets say they moved to Hamilton... they would all still be on the same team!

Figustastic, just shut up, seriously, your really starting to get annoying...

Answer 1

OMG, I am gonna be so PISSED if they expand! ~>:O

Seriously, the NHL does NOT need more teams than MLB or the NBA. 30 teams is PLENTY enough. What they need to do is relocate, that solves the problem. Expansion just makes the problem worse by diluting the talent. I say keep it at 30 teams, and relocate Florida, Phoenix, Atlanta, and either Carolina or Nashville. Just four teams. Move them to cities like Seattle, Quebec, Winnipeg, maybe Portland. Do NOT put a team in Hamilton, it is WAY too close to Toronto. I really didn't care about Hamilton before, but then I saw it on a map, it's only like 30 miles from Toronto. So I'm saying definitely relocate those 4 teams to Seattle, Quebec, Winnipeg, and another city, like Portland or something. It's a bad idea to put a team in KC or Oklahoma, it won't work. Don't even start talking about putting a team in Vegas, that would be horrible!

Another option is to actually contract, take Carolina/Nashville and Atlanta and move them to Quebec and Winnipeg. And get rid of two more teams altogether, Phoenix and Florida. Then just have like a draft or something to take players from those two teams. That would make the NHL have 28 teams, which would be fine with me.

I like the first solution better, but Seattle is having arena problems and the SuperSonics might move out, so it might not work out there. In that case, use the second solution. But in no way should they expand. Absolutely NO expansion damnit!!!

Answer 2

Where the teams expand is not the problem. If those teams were any good, they would have no problem filling the seats. Guess who has the highest attendance next to the Montreal Canadiens for the past two seasons? Tampa.

The problem with expansion is that there is not enough big talent to go around as it is. Most teams have only two or three star players. No wonder they had to change the rules to get more scoring... and scoring was down last year from the year before. The main reason is because there are too many untalented grinders in the league filling up space because there are already too many teams.

Let's say you got rid of Florida and Phoenix, your two examples. All of a sudden there is Jokinen, Vokoun, Bouwmeester, and future stars like Ballard, Weiss, and Horton all playing on some other team that already has some good players. Shane Doan could finally play to his potential on a decent team. More good players on fewer teams makes for better teams. Better teams makes for better hockey. That is why I hate expansion.

Answer 3

Oh let's all HOPE they don't expand. They can't even get enough fans to a WINNER in Nashville. Sorry for the REAL FANS there but that is another team I would look at moving. Yeah Phoenix should move. L.A. could be moved(I just don't think they care about the Kings). The Panthers or Lighting could be moved(which ever has less fans) as could Atlanta. Oh sure I'm picking on Southern teams mostly, but that is because the THEORY was the NHL could make Hockey a regional sport down there as well, and it doesn't seem to be taking. Last I checked doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results was the definition of INSANITY.

Answer 4

The game gets more and more watered down every time they expand. If every new team gets about 27 players, thats 27 people brought into the game who weren't good enough to make an NHL team before. The talent level is just so poor now. It seems like all you have to do anymore to be a star in hockey is score 25 goals. They should definately just relocate a few of their teams to more traditional hockey markets.

Answer 5

Moving the Panthers to Portland or Seattle would be a good idea.
In 2005-06 the Lightning became the first team in NHL history to increase attendance six consecutive seasons, and the team sold out each game played at the Forum during the regular season and playoffs trailing only the Montreal in total NHL attendance. So I assume that you are talking about the Panthers when you say Florida. I believe the Coyotes only had two sold out games last season.

Answer 6

Well !!! Now you did it Flamer, just look at all the people you p's'd off. If you'e moving teams, the 2 you mentioned are probably the most likely due to attendance. If one of those teams moved to Hamilton or Kitchener, I know they would be sold out every home game. No adjustment period waiting for fans to get on board. Road games might be a different story, but...
When the Russians work out a more affordable deal with the NHL to allow better access to their players, you can think about expansion without spreading the talent too thin.

Answer 7

There aren't enough good players for the teams they have now. There's what-maybe 1 million active hockey players in the whole world? Compare that to the grass-roots MLB or the NBA draw on. A lot of the guys in the NHL today would be lucky to make an industrial league team if they played back in the original 6 days, but we're expected to pay big $ to watch them play?

Answer 8

I hope they don't expand although with the current owners and Bettman in charge I wouldn't put it past them. I would love to see the NHL go back to 24 teams. The talent is thin. They have several markets and a few owners that just don't care. Just fold these 2 teams. In a few years when Nashville gets bored and stops supporting their team again we can fold them too.

People need to give up on moving teams back to Quebec and Winnipeg. You lost the team cause you couldn't afford it. I know they love hockey and people went but it still wasn't profitable.

Answer 9

Two Places Kansas City MO and Portland OR for expansion or Relocation of the Panthers to KC, or the Coyotes up to Oregon.

That's my top 2 Picks because they have or will have NHL Style Arena's.

Answer 10

Whoever just said Oakland California deserves to be shot. They need to take Phoenix,Florida,Nashville,Ana heim and Atlanta ( i still think Tampa Bay to, but apparently there are a few more fans there than in other spots so i digress.) Move them to Winnipeg,Hamilton,Seattle,and fold two. Hell I still think Saskatoon is a better place than Phoenix or Florida.