The NHL didn't take teams away from Winnipeg and Quebec. The economics of the day did.

and the economics now allow teams in those markets to be on par and succeed. so take the teams that are struggling, and give them a shot somewhere else... where hockey is loved.

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But that wasn't your point. You tried to say that the NHL took teams away from cities where hockey is life, and put them in the south. That just isn't true. The NHL moved those teams south because they couldn't get local buyers. The rest were ill advised expansions that have diluted the quality of the game in my opinion.

and i agree. but no one gives a shit in atlanta. couldnt find a buyer. so move em. no one goes to panthers game unless they are playing a team that people travel to see. tampa has worked... somewhat. dallas has worked. nashville has worked. atlanta didnt, phoenix isnt working, florida is on the verge. move them to where they will be appreciated. if its kansas city, so be it. if its quebec city, so be it. if its manhiem germany, so be it. im absolutely all for the attempt of nationalizing the sport, it just wasnt meant to be.

but the idea that atlanta got screwed... absurd. they had 12 years to support a hockey team, and they didnt.

in a perfect world, theyd reduce the number of NHL franchises to 28. the panthers and yotes... whoosh. gone.

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ok, im going to post a little more elegantly now.

i was all for southern expansion. the idea of teams in new markets where hockey isnt a tradition excited me. and in some places, its worked. it hasnt been electric, but its worked, and its worth preserving. in other places, like atlanta, and florida, and pheonix, it has failed, or is failing. you have to pull the plug if you cant find someone who views the franchise as worth saving. and especially if a city or region who can support a team wants it. will winnipeg sustain a franchise? time will tell, but they deserve a second shot at it. and we all know winnipeg will be more passionate then their atlanta counterparts. if atlanta wants a third shot a team, go for it. why should atlanta get a second shot (and bomb) and not winnipeg? people in winnipeg have been mourning for 15 years. theyve wanted a team back. the financial landscape allows for them to sustain a team.

why phoenix is struggling so badly is slightly a mystery to me. i get its in a non traditional market, but let me tell you a story about the cleveland indians. for years, the indians and browns played at municipal stadium. in the 80s, browns owner art model took controlling interest in the stadium. the indians played 81 home games there a year, but they lost money. why? model had control of the parking, concessions, and luxury boxes. all the money from indians games went to the browns. so the indians built their own stadium. beautiful jacobs field. so phoenix. they shared an inadequate facility with the NBAs phoenix suns. but then they built the yotes an arena. and the lease sucks, and they lose money hand over fist. if the yotes can get a better lease, and a new owner, they deserve to stay. but if you lose money and lose money and lose money, and a city wants them.... see ya, arizona.

and now the florida panthers. this team exists soley based on appearance only. they play in an arena built for them next to the fucking everglades. and yet, they built a new arena downtown for the heat. why the FUCK arnt they there? and guess what, theyll never go there. they will stay in the everglades till they move, or they build a new arena 20 years down the line. the former is more likely. so, the panthers suck, they get good draft picks, and develop them into stars, then trade them right before they are set to become unrestricted free agents.. for more youth and picks. because they cant afford them. they exist as a AAAA farm club for teams who need the missing piece of the puzzle. and thats embarrassing.

so, congrats winnipeg. you are on the clock. make it work, or see you the fuck later. i believe theyll succeed.

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ladies and gentlemen, i present to you, the probable goalhorn used for the new franchise.



of course, its the same one used by the moose, but who cares? edit: or is it...? double edit: it is the old jets horn, thats 100% for sure. since they moved the horn to the new arena, one would have to project them to use it for the new club (though im not sure they use it for the moose)

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here is a nerdier question.. whats this move say for NHL 12? I mean it comes out in September are they going to have enough time to get the Arena model and logos and jersey shit before the the game drops or are we stuck with the Thrashers.. I wonder.

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The Board Drunk.

umm.. thats a great question. i wondered that myself. i hope they dont give them the generic pittsburgh arena. the MTS centre really is a really nice facility from what ive seen. dont be shocked if they rebrand philips arena though. winnipeg WILL be in the game though.

if they keep the moose name, logo, and jerseys, as speculated, then they are already in there. haha.

also:


i feel bad for all 12 fans.

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they should be able to get the game updated in time for its release. Id imagine that EA has already sent people to the new area to get the images they need. If, for some reason, they cant get it ready in time for the original release they could always send it out in a patch when they do.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

They announced that the changes would be made

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

I wondered about that myself. Hopefully the logos and jerseys are released in the summer, giving EA enough time to perfect them.

http://www.driveto13.com/

without general onsale, they already have over 1,800 season ticket packages sold. remember, they are only available to moose season ticket holders so far.

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Over 4,180 (I think) as of yesterday.

The multi-year commitment is what irks me. This whole thing irks me. I used to bag on ATL, but this just rubs me the wrong way (TWSS).

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mechaphil

i think winnipeg knows its on the clock, and they wanna lock this up now. im extremely happy to see winnipeg with a team again, and if it doesnt work, relocation or maybe even retraction becomes an option.. again.

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Up to 7,158.

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mechaphil

thats almost half the arena. not shabby at all.

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I think Winnipeg will do fine also.

And your last post about Southern Expansion is spot on. It's working in some places and others it isn't. But it does get kids into the sport. You have more places to play it and more people wanting to play it because it's easier to play.

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with atlanta gone, next one the chopping block is phoenix. after that, florida, and perhaps carolina. but after florida, the gap is large.

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I highly doubt Carolina will get relocated...but it would be nice to rub it in the face of Cane fans.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

i doubt it too. theres 2 teams WAY ahead of them. columbus is up there too. the isles may move, but it could be to the new barclays arena in brooklyn. so i dont consider that moving, per say.


people keep saying how the southern expansion is "growing the sport." well maybe nascar should move some southern races to the north.. you know, grow the "sport."

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