New Seattle NHL team?

[SKYO]

Seattle NHL Expansion Announcement Could Happen ‘Within Weeks’ - See more at: http://thehockeywriters.com/seattle-nhl ... GUOwG.dpuf

the NHL is seriously considering Seattle as an expansion target, possibly in time for the 2015-16 season. Discussing expansion with Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Daly said, “I think we have a belief in the Pacific Northwest, it being good hockey territory. I think, obviously, the Canucks have done a fantastic job — in Vancouver, but also throughout British Columbia and the Pacific region — at driving interest in the sport.”

He summed up his remarks by saying, “So, we think the possibility is there. It’s kind of more obvious than some of the other areas. It doesn’t mean we’ve done our due diligence. We’d need to satisfy ourselves on the marketplace, but just the objective factors around the marketplace suggest Seattle would be a good hockey market.”
- See more at: http://thehockeywriters.com/seattle-nhl ... GUOwG.dpuf

Seattle Totems or Metropolitans.

[Topper]

Space Needles as in Hendrix and Cobain

[Cornuck]

So how long does it take to build an NHL rink?

[dbr]

Space Needles as in Hendrix and Cobain

Sure it was unconventional but you could say he was a face off specialist.

[Todd Bersnoozi]

There was talk before that the Phoenix Coyotes was going to Seattle. Not sure of their current situation, maybe another team.

[Aaronp18]

There was talk before that the Phoenix Coyotes was going to Seattle. Not sure of their current situation, maybe another team.

The NHL will expand by 2 more teams.

Essentially guaranteed!

[Art Vandelay]

There was talk before that the Phoenix Coyotes was going to Seattle. Not sure of their current situation, maybe another team.

The link said expansion not relocation. Maybe actually read the fucking article.

[Rede]

Gotta think two western expansion teams given that I don't expect any teams will want to move from the west to the east. Probably Seattle - especially if they build a new building for a basketball team. The other one... Portland or Las Vegas?

I'd assume some struggling easten team would end up in Quebec City.

[mathonwy]

In my opinion, there is barely enough elite level hockey talent to go around as it is right now.

I'm not opposed to a Seattle team. I think having another team in the Pacific North West would be great for Vancouver as it would drive ticket prices down. The Canuck organization has had it too good for too long.

I just question whether the current pool of hockey talent can afford to be further diluted.

[ClamRussel]

I just question whether the current pool of hockey talent can afford to be further diluted.

Never been a deciding factor w/ NHL expansion, unfortunately. It's way down there beside whether it's even a hockey market.

[mathonwy]

I just question whether the current pool of hockey talent can afford to be further diluted.

Never been a deciding factor w/ NHL expansion, unfortunately. It's way down there beside whether it's even a hockey market.

The current pool of hockey talent is undergoing a few major threats with the biggest one being the KHL. The KHL is making it extremely attractive for Russians to go back to their motherland and make big coin while paying low or zero taxes on it. When Kovy left Jersey, Jersey got FUCKED. When Radulov left Smashville, Smashville got FUCKED. With Russia being a major producer of hockey talent in the world, the KHL is a legitimate threat that isn't going away.

The other not so serious but still concerning threats are head injuries and the number of games played per season. Too many head injuries and too many games played each season.

Unless the midget makes some major strides to address these issues, I'd rather see relocation than expansion. Seeing a shitty hockey game... well... is shitty. Why are Nashville and Phoenix games usually shitty to watch? Because of the lack of top end talent in their forwards. Not sure if I want even MORE shitty games to watch.

Is Seattle a hockey market? I would have to say yes. The Seattle Thunderbirds have existed for a very long time down there and they have quite a good fanbase. As well, Seattle is close enough to Vancouver to have gotten a whiff of the success our team has had in the last decade. I have family down there and everyone's excited about the potential hockey team.

[Topper]

^ stop insulting shot people

[mathonwy]

^ stop insulting shot people

Glad to see you contributing such positive commentary to the board Topper.

What it actually means I have no idea.

[Topper]

^ stop insulting shot people

Glad to see you contributing such positive commentary to the board Topper.

What it actually means I have no idea.

Ignorant

Unless the midget

[herb]

A team in Seattle would be great. A third pacific north-western team in Portland seems like a pipe-dream, but you never now.

It's been pretty obvious since the division realignment that expansion was inevitable. Seattle is the no-brainer. Portland, Las Vegas and maybe Kansas City are options also.

Regarding the "talent pool", it's never been deeper. Look at the quality of goaltending around the league as an example - it's ridiculous.

The KHL is only a threat for Russian players, which given their recent showings on the world stage shouldn't be a concern. The game is growing at a strong pace in the US, and more American teams will only build on that.