Red Baron 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 Report: NHL team approaches Winnipeg TSN.ca Staff 1/17/2004 (TSN.ca) - The Winnipeg Sun is reporting that an unidentified NHL team has approached the City of Winnipeg about possible relocation. Deputy mayor Don Vandal received a voice mail from a representative of an American-based club that is interested in potentially moving to Winnipeg. "They're asking 'How serious is Winnipeg, because we're in trouble," Vandal told the paper. The reported team is not the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team that Vandal has courted in recent weeks, but he would confirm that it is a team that is not doing well financially. Winnipeg hasn't had a team since the Jets left for Phoenix in 1996. The news comes just after the Pittsburgh Penguins gave a firm 'Thanks, but no thanks,' to an invitation by the deputy mayor to move the team to Winnipeg. Some diehard hockey fans said bring it on, while others said their passion for the league left town with the Jets when they moved to Phoenix and became the Coyotes in 1996. Radio call-in shows, online chat groups and sports pundits jumped on the story, which had snowballed following the publication in the Sun of a letter Vandal wrote Penguins majority owner Mario Lemieux. My bet its either Carolina, Nashville, or one of the California teams Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 18, 2004 I don't believe a word of it. Unidentified teams and the vagueness of it all combined with the Penguin rejection makes me think that the Deputy Mayor is trying to save face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 If it is true, I'd laugh if it was Atlanta. The possibility of them getting 2 teams over time, only to see them relocate to Canada would be quite funny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 If it is true, I'd laugh if it was Atlanta. The possibility of them getting 2 teams over time, only to see them relocate to Canada would be quite funny. I'd laugh hard too. Yet, for the wrong reason. MOVING TO CANADA? I thought most of our cities were losing teams. Not getting them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 Maybe its the Capitals...and they can take the Wizards with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lomasmoney 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 I mean I think that if Winnipeg got a team, they would sell out and make up for the difference in the currency. Plus I mean there are people in Atlanta and Nashville that I know, that don't know of the hockey teams as being NHL teams. I think that expansion is good they just have to go to the right cities. Columbus is a good example of expansion working well, while Nashville is not. Why Bettman and the NHL thought it would be smart to relocate to places where hockey is rarely or never played I will never understand. The Kings were not as popular until they had Gretzky to carry the team. Hockey in the South just doesn't work. People complain hockey is too hard to follow. My grandma lives in Cincy, and she was visiting me when Detroit won the Cup in 2002, and she didn't understand why players were kissing the cup. The NHL needs to build up its superstars and rivalries, outside of Detroit-Colorado, NY-NY, and build up more rivalries. Ottawa vs Toronto should be hyped up more. I would say move the Predators to Winnipeg, and get a team in Seattle. Seattle vs Vancouver is a ready made rivalry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2004 I dunno where they got this, but on the Flames' Hot Stove Lounge program on The Fan here in Calgary, they were saying that the reason Pittsburgh rejected Winnipeg is that they've been having talks with a Houston buyer for around a month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teke184 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 What about the Buffalo Sabres? I thought they were completely screwed because their management looted them and that they've had a LOT of problems meeting payroll. They're certainly a logical choice to pull up stakes if the price is right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The whole NHL is screwed, it has 3 more years tops and then its done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 Buffalo is pretty stable right now, and basically to get the fans in is a stable Canadian dollar, or some kind of deal so that Canadians can come over to watch their games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Krazy Karter Report post Posted January 19, 2004 What about the Buffalo Sabres? I thought they were completely screwed because their management looted them and that they've had a LOT of problems meeting payroll. They're certainly a logical choice to pull up stakes if the price is right. Sabres are now owned by a billionaire from Rochester, NY (40 minutes from Buffalo). They're staying put. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The Penguins can't leave Pittsburgh. You can't look back in the record books, go to 1992, and see the Cup won by a team that's not around anymore.What's the last Stanley Cup-winning team to leave its city, stop existing? The Ottawa Silver Seven? Seattle Metropolitans? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup in 1926-27 before being folded in the 30's. 1925-26 was the Montreal Maroons 1924-25 was the Victoria Cougars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup in 1926-27 before being folded in the 30's. 1925-26 was the Montreal Maroons 1924-25 was the Victoria Cougars. There you have it: don't let the Pittsburgh Penguins end up with the Montreal Maroons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup in 1926-27 before being folded in the 30's. 1925-26 was the Montreal Maroons 1924-25 was the Victoria Cougars. There you have it: don't let the Pittsburgh Penguins end up with the Montreal Maroons. Or the Ottawa Senators. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lomasmoney 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 The Victoria Cougars still exist don't they. I think they are called the Detroit Red Wings.... so the team would still exist just under a different name Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 It won't be the Sabres. *sleeps well at night* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Olympic Slam Report post Posted January 19, 2004 I'm guessing its the Hurricanes, Ducks, Predators or Capitals. That is of course, if this is more than just a rumor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2004 I'm guessing its the Hurricanes, Ducks, Predators or Capitals. That is of course, if this is more than just a rumor. I'd put more money on the Capitals. They've (Washington) have been off and on again trying to find a new buyer to back the team, that maybe, just maybe, they've given up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 I dunno where they got this, but on the Flames' Hot Stove Lounge program on The Fan here in Calgary, they were saying that the reason Pittsburgh rejected Winnipeg is that they've been having talks with a Houston buyer for around a month. That would make sense. I believe that the Rockets owner was looking for an NHL team for the Toyota Center. The only problem is that from what I've seen, the Aeros (Wild AHL affiliate) don't draw all that great, so I don't see how an NHL franchise would be financially viable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted January 20, 2004 I mean I think that if Winnipeg got a team, they would sell out and make up for the difference in the currency. Plus I mean there are people in Atlanta and Nashville that I know, that don't know of the hockey teams as being NHL teams. I think that expansion is good they just have to go to the right cities. Columbus is a good example of expansion working well, while Nashville is not. Why Bettman and the NHL thought it would be smart to relocate to places where hockey is rarely or never played I will never understand. The Kings were not as popular until they had Gretzky to carry the team. Hockey in the South just doesn't work. People complain hockey is too hard to follow. My grandma lives in Cincy, and she was visiting me when Detroit won the Cup in 2002, and she didn't understand why players were kissing the cup. The NHL needs to build up its superstars and rivalries, outside of Detroit-Colorado, NY-NY, and build up more rivalries. Ottawa vs Toronto should be hyped up more. I would say move the Predators to Winnipeg, and get a team in Seattle. Seattle vs Vancouver is a ready made rivalry There is one major problem with this: The American sports fan has proven, repeatedly, that HOCKEY DOESN'T SELL. At all. The ratings are abysmal. No national sports call-in shows feature any consistent discussions of hockey. The press CAN'T cover them more because the media, in the end, wants to draw an audience and hockey doesn't do it. But, the NHL's supposed "resurgence" in the mid-90's shot salaries to levels where they are going to bankrupt the league. NO player is worth $5M/year in the NHL. Few are even worth $1M. The money they draw is so miniscule that they are ALL overpaid --- and badly. The NHL is in a world of trouble. And the players association is too stupid to recognize it. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 (edited) There are players that are worth 5 million dollars per season. I can think of...Marian Hossa, Peter Forsberg, Martin Brodeur, Milan Hejduk, Jaromir Jagr (when he actually wants to play), Marian Gaborik (once he heats up), Vincent LeCavalier (when he matures) and there are more future stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley in Atlanta that are worth more than 5 million a year. Edited January 20, 2004 by Max Power Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 I hope its the Leafs, kill two birds with one stone. Realistically, it is probably Washington. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted January 20, 2004 There are players that are worth 5 million dollars per season. I can think of...Marian Hossa, Peter Forsberg, Martin Brodeur, Milan Hejduk, Jaromir Jagr (when he actually wants to play), Marian Gaborik (once he heats up), Vincent LeCavalier (when he matures) and there are more future stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley in Atlanta that are worth more than 5 million a year. You're looking at it as a talent thing. You need to look at it like a BUSINESS person, as this IS a business. And, from any business vantage point, they do not deserve the money they get. The fact that the NHL gets horrendous ratings, has virtually no mainstream attention, and is not making money --- they clearly do not deserve $5M. You have to GENERATE more money than you earn to be worth the money and NOBODY in the NHL is doing that at present. -=Mike ...Lemieux comes closest --- and he isn't worth that much, either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 Well, the problem lies with the league not marketing these guys to be able to do business. Of those guys I listed, I didn't list Rick Nash, who is THE draw for Columbus, their most talented player, etc. Rick Nash puts asses in the seats in Columbus. What does the league do about this? Practically nothing. Columbus was on ESPN (the league's network) once this year... Instead, the league decides to focus mainly on the Detroits and Colorados of the league, which, while talented, aren't as marketable in the future as Rick Nash. Detroit is the exception with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg being two future standout players, both marketable, both playing in a fantastic market for hockey. Colorado is great talent-wise right now, but where is the league going to be when Colorado falls? Go back to Dallas? Look what's happening to them now. They'll have to help some of the other markets succeed. There are great hockey markets that go untapped by the league. FFS, look at Boston. An original 6 franchise that gets little to no recognition, while the Rangers are given numerous television appearances so that we can all watch them burn. The league is as much to blame for all of this, and while the hole is deep now, the dirt has yet to fall on them. They still have wonderful, marketable stars in hockey towns. Gaborik in Minnesota Hossa, Spezza, Havlat in Ottawa (of course, that consists of ESPN admitting that the Ottawa franchise exists) Kovalchuk and Heatley in Atlanta, which both have proven to be draws, and Atlanta is a good sports city Nash in Columbus Iginla in Calgary LeCavalier, St. Louis, Boyle, Modin in Tampa Bouwmeester, Luongo, Jokinen with the Panthers Zetterberg, Datsyuk with Detroit. The talent is there, it's just a matter of allowing it to grow. The league has its problems yes, but the two things that are bad right now (CBA and the trap) will get fixed. The NHL will survive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 and Atlanta is a good sports city I'm sorry, I'm going to require some proof. Atlanta has always been a shitty sports city as far as I can see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 Dunno, they are mostly like the Florida cities here. When there is talent and a good team to go see, they are supportive. I'm just going by what I see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 I don't know, I remember a few years back the Thrashers, Hawks, and Falcons (pre-Michael Vick) were all towards the bottom of the league in attendance, while the Braves don't attract the amount of fans you'd expect them to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 From what I remember about Atlanta sports... - They didn't go see the Hawks even when they were good. - The Falcons were in the bottom third of the league in attendance the year they went to the Super Bowl. - The Braves regularly don't sell out playoff games nowadays. - And, of course, they had a team move out (the Flames). Atlanta has always struck me as more of a college town...they always seem to come out for Georgia Tech. And NASCAR, I think. They're like a lot of places in the Southeast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2004 Why put a team in the South when they could have put one in Seattle I don't understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
