I don't see Vegas working. The NHL should not be the first league to try it there.
- Nucker101

Yeah, if the CFL can't make it there no one will.

They have to do it. How fair is it that the East has 8 chances out of 16 to make the playoffs and the West gets 8 chances out of 14? If they get rid of goons for the fourth lines and replace them with scoring chances ,then it won't be less entertaining.
- VANTEL

Agreed..

I don't see Vegas working. The NHL should not be the first league to try it there.
- Nucker101

They would do better than Arizona. If the arena is on the strip Casinos could do promotions. If Canucks were playing in Vegas , would you be tempted to fly there? Hotels could offer Hotel packages.

Yeah, if the CFL can't make it there no one will.
- A_SteamingLombardi

That's what scared the NFL off

Protect as buy him condoms and a bigger helmet?
- VANTEL

He could borrow Wes Welker's helmet

Need 32 teams to have a equal chance at making the playoffs
- VANTEL

Relocate Florida to Seattle.

They would do better than Arizona. If the arena is on the strip Casinos could do promotions. If Canucks were playing in Vegas , would you be tempted to fly there? Hotels could offer Hotel packages.
- VANTEL

What happens when they play ANA, BUF, CAR, COL, CBJ, DAL, DET, NSH, NJ, NYI, OTT, STL, etc?

They have to do it. How fair is it that the East has 8 chances out of 16 to make the playoffs and the West gets 8 chances out of 14? If they get rid of goons for the fourth lines and replace them with scoring chances ,then it won't be less entertaining.
- VANTEL

Since when has Bettman and the owners given a sh*t about fairness or anything else for that matter, other than making $$$. If it's about balancing the East/West, then one expansion team will solve that problem instantly.

I think it's just a nice pipe dream to think that adding ANY team will result in a better over all product, and that there are players readily available to fill in roster spots.

Barring some sort of divine intervention, it will take years and years before any new team will become competitive and not just fodder for the rest of the established clubs.

Relocate Florida to Seattle.
- KB3Point0

Vegas wouldn't work to many transients not enough locals with interest. Besides they don't have enough water for the populace let alone an enough ice for a rink.

Relocate Florida to Seattle.
- KB3Point0

West teams will be expansion teams to make it even with the East.

What happens when they play ANA, BUF, CAR, COL, CBJ, DAL, DET, NSH, NJ, NYI, OTT, STL, etc?
- Nucker101

They have money to go to Vegas too

What go's through Bettmans mind is Boggling. The very idea that another team could work in the desert is propostorous.

Then again, Should I really be surprised.

What go's through Bettmans mind is Boggling. The very idea that another team could work in the desert is propostorous.

Then again, Should I really be surprised.
- vancity787

He only see's $$$. Nothing else matters. Only money even if it means a lesser quality product on the ice. The top seat selling teams will continue to support the rest of the league with no focus whatsoever on improving attendance at for the teams already struggling with their fan base.

He only see's $$$. Nothing else matters. Only money even if it means a lesser quality product on the ice. The top seat selling teams will continue to support the rest of the league with no focus whatsoever on improving attendance at for the teams already struggling with their fan base.
- thundachunk

Exactly, how about taking care of business and all outstanding and on-going issues before taking on anything further, especially the idea of expansion

Do these people EVER get 'it'?

Since when has Bettman and the owners given a sh*t about fairness or anything else for that matter, other than making $$$. If it's about balancing the East/West, then one expansion team will solve that problem instantly.

I think it's just a nice pipe dream to think that adding ANY team will result in a better over all product, and that there are players readily available to fill in roster spots.

Barring some sort of divine intervention, it will take years and years before any new team will become competitive and not fodder for the rest of the established clubs.
- Zogg

If what was stated here is true and the NHL plans on banning fighting all together, then I'll agree with Vantel. We will actually have 3rd and 4th liners that have to have some talent. No more spots taken up by the "GOON" that get 4-5mins a game. just maybe some of the fringe NHL players would be able to slot in and get 10+ mins. Might make the tempo of the game quicker.....then again it might be so water down with teams trying to just meet the cap floor with fringe players, and then paying them a fortune to be a 3rd or 4th liner...Clarkson anyone.

What go's through Bettmans mind is Boggling. The very idea that another team could work in the desert is propostorous.

Then again, Should I really be surprised.
- vancity787

Phoeni...er..Arizona has been so successful lets put another team in the desert. (what goes on in Bettman's mind)

They have money to go to Vegas too
- VANTEL

They can go at anytime of the year, those fanbases don't exactly travel much from what I've seen. Otherwise they'd always be filling up the Honda or Staples center.

How would the expansion draft work? How many players would a team be aloud to protect.
- kessellover69

26 of the 28 teams existing in the league at the time of the draft were each allowed to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards. The Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators had their entire rosters protected, as they were the two newest franchises in the league, only being in existence for one and two years respectively.

This is how it broke down in 2000. ELC's don't need to be protected, nor do UFA's, obviously.

He only see's $$$. Nothing else matters. Only money even if it means a lesser quality product on the ice. The top seat selling teams will continue to support the rest of the league with no focus whatsoever on improving attendance at for the teams already struggling with their fan base.
- thundachunk

How do you make money in a market that's doomed to fail? Am I missing something?

How do you make money in a market that's doomed to fail? Am I missing something?
- vancity787

Vancity, please note, in order to attempt to analyze/process/reconcile all/any of these various proposals/decisions, you have to ensure you leave any semblance of logic at the door. There's just no place for it

Vancity, please note, in order to attempt to analyze/process/reconcile all/any of these various proposals/decisions, you have to ensure you leave any semblance of logic at the door. There's just no place for it
- Zogg

Zogg. I've always thought you were one of the better guys. But please. Some times tone down the substance of your vocabulary. I haven't got a fukking clue what you said.

West teams will be expansion teams to make it even with the East.
- VANTEL

They will, but they don't have to in order to even out the conferences.

Zogg. I've always thought you were one of the better guys. But please. Some times tone down the substance of your vocabulary. I haven't got a fukking clue what you said.
- vancity787

To tell you the truth, most of the time I don't have a f*cking clue as to what I'm saying either (my parents said I accidentally swallowed a thesaurus during my formative years but I think it has more to do with the number of times I was dropped on my head (whether on purpose or not has yet to be determined )

Anyway, you realize you now owe me a few shots of the finest French cognac for making me cry like a little schoolgirl?

P.S. I sense an on-line intervention (that or a blanket party )

Gary John Lupul, good time to put you out there. Peace out.