Does Winnipeg deserve an NHL team again?

Answer 1

Yeah it would be a great NHL city again but with Bettman, its unlikely to the point of impossible. While Bettman of course has his allegiance of apologists its hard to deny that his vision of NHL has became a large failure.

Kansas City is going to get the next relocated team and you most give Bettman credit for being consistent in not choosing cities that the NHL could actually be successful.

Look at the latest fiasco, billionaire owner with 13k season tickets but its in Hamilton Canada. Bettman hates Canada and hates tradition, again look at the NBC vs Hockey Night in Canada debacle last post-season, CBC actually pays broadcasting fees and NBC has the audacity shows horse racing over a NHL overtime game with again a Canadian team represent the Wales/East conference for the 1st time since 1993. Somehow Bettman figures that having hockey during the middle of the day on Saturady in the Spring is better then having it at night when people are done with chores and have time to watch a game.

Winnipeg deserve? Yes but with Bettman there isn't a snowball chance in hell, it would make why too much sense.

Answer 2

If it was based solely on fan support, than yes. Unfortunately Winnipeg couldn't hold a team before because they had very few corporate sponsors. NHL teams need those sponsors to buy the expensive box seats, which is where they get most of their revenue from. If Winnipeg can get some companies to pledge their support than they absolutely deserve a team. Unfortunately with Bettman at the helm there won't be another team in Canada, whether they deserve it or not. I say if Nashville and Pheonix can have teams so can Winnipeg! Bettman should go wreck another sport.

Answer 3

Is there something different about Winnipeg that wasn't there 15 years ago?
Don't get me wrong, I love the city, all the people I met from Winnipeg are great people, down to earth, types who love the game of hockey. Selling tickets to the general public was not a problem the Jets had. Making enough money to stay afloat in Winnipeg was a different story. How has this changed?
My answer would be the people of Winnipeg deserve a team, the city itself and the corporate community, don't.

Answer 4

Winnipeg has always deserved a team, but finances dictate otherwise. But now with the Canadian dollar fluctuating with and above the USD, they can definitely handle an NHL team.

However, with the US election coming in November '08, the real question is, can the city keep the team? I'm going out on a limb and say that the democrats will have a president in the House (change is good in any democratic society; keeps things balanced) and they'll do some damage control on their end, dominating the CAD once again.

Answer 5

Since Hartford, and Quebec have left their cities, their territorial competition Boston and Montreal have been seemingly mailing it in. From a management perspective, having the team in ones market area seems to bring about a much less lackadaisical effort from top to bottom. As far as Boston goes it seems to help attendance as well. I can't speak for Montreal, as far as attendance, but looking at teams who were annually dominant ten years ago, I see teams that boxed out a competing team nearby and have since rested on their corporate laurels; rather than creating a good hockey team. I remember Winnipeg being a doormat for Calgary and Edmonton, (as was most of the confrence) however they were a well established WHA and NHL team. As far as it being fair to ask a team to fly out there and settle for their attendance figures I don't know? I think the teams split the gate and I don't see a team in Winnipeg helping anyone, but Winnipeg and garnering a share of revenues that have been developed since they left. I have never seen their figures for attendance, nor can I gauge whether the expanded luxury box strategy many teams use now could work for them. I wonder if they still owe Selanne money? I would bet yes!

Answer 6

Yup, the Jets were loved in Winnipeg, besides I think Canada needs NHL teams, that is what will save the sport. Give Winnipeg and Quebec back teams.

Answer 7

Yes I think Winnipeg deserves another shot, they have a nice new arena (MTS CENTRE) 1 bad thing about that it's downtown, and alot of people avoid going downtown due too high crime and other problems. Maybe once the new Manitoba Hydro building is finished there would be more reason too come downtown. I seen my first N.H.L game in Winnipeg The Jets and Oilers in pre-season and it was a 5-5 tie. I hope Winnipeg gets another chance someday.

Answer 8

Nhl is more important to Canadian fans then to most of the United States and what I would rather see is there be a bigger fan base so maybe hockey will revive itself. My idea would be take maybe the 20 biggest fan base teams in the US and mix it with 10 Canadian cities that will have a good fan base and bring in money to form the "new nhl".

Answer 9

In a word, YEEEEES!

And by the way cme, something has changed in the past 15 years, the Canadian currency is much much stronger and the league has reshaped its financial structuring so that there is a more even playing field.

Instead of trying to sell the game to people who don't really care about it, give a bone to a real hockey city. Its not only justice for the long suffering Wpg fans it is good for hockey everywhere.

Answer 10

Yes, California (3), Florida (2), Atlanta,Carolina and Phoenix all have teams. Winnepeg, Qubec and Hamilton should get consideration for a team befor the likes of Las Vegas or Kansas City.