I'm down with Seattle or Portland getting a team.

Speaking of Portland, if you guys are ever looking for a good documentary, check out The Battered Bastards of Baseball. It's all about Kurt Russell's dad form an independent baseball team in the 70's in Portland--The Mavericks.

The team was compiled of guys who were deemed too old or not athletic enough to play at a competitive level anymore and all they wanted to do was beat up on big minor league teams with the high-dollar prospects.

It's a great watch.
- Hank3Henshaw

One of the first baseball games I ever attended was that Mavericks team.

Portland is an incredibly loyal, albeit sports-starved town. The Blazers were perennial sellouts for years following the '77 championship and the MLS team is already expanding their stadium (same stadium where the Mavericks used to play). The Winterhawks (Hossa's former team and team of our 1st rounder this year) have a loyal following as well.

True but different TV deals driving the salaries. Here is a snapshot:
League - TV REV - Total Players - TV$/Player
NFL - 4,500,000,000 - 1,696 - $1,326,651
NBA - 2,600,000,000 - 390 - $3,333,333
MLB - 1,300,000,000 - 750 - $866,667
NHL - 454,000,000 - 713 - $318,373

The $/player is at 50/50 split. I know there is more revenue (NHRR). this illustration is more to show the cap or no cap, the NHL has less to spread.
- riozzo

There is no doubt that it is driven by the TV revenue and the NHL just can't come close to competing with the other leagues. NBA is living large with a huge TV deal, and 12-15 man rosters.

My guess is the Coyotes move to Seattle and nothing changes.
- BINGO!

I can't see the odd number of clubs working long term...expansion to add one more club will happen eventually.

I'd prefer a bit of contraction myself, but I doubt we'll see that.

If that's true - which team goes to the East - Nashville, St. Louis, or Chicago?

My guess would be NOT Chicago - they wouldn't want all of the original-6 teams in the same conference.
- StLBravesFan

NHL doesn't give a poop about the original 6 franchises. If they did Chicago would not be left alone as the sole representative in the west.

Heck, lets go back to the Norris Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Minnesota North Stars (Wild)
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs

I think the rule should be, if you win the cup yiu get a 5% bonus increase added to your cap

So while the rest of the league would have a $75m cap.. PITT gets $78.75m cap

NHL doesn't give a poop about the original 6 franchises. If they did Chicago would not be left alone as the sole representative in the west.

Heck, lets go back to the Norris Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Minnesota North Stars (Wild)
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
- TheTrob

....and the California Seals!

NHL doesn't give a poop about the original 6 franchises. If they did Chicago would not be left alone as the sole representative in the west.

Heck, lets go back to the Norris Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Minnesota North Stars (Wild)
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
- TheTrob

Of course they don't care about the Original 6 because it's a meaningless moniker.

Seattle is next up, not Quebec.

Between the size of the city, the state of the Canadian dollar and the amount of corruption, there are far too many issues with Quebec City for a team to go back there at this point.

Seattle or Portland would be a much more attractive location for the NHL in my mind.

There's not a lot of new money to be made in Quebec.
- BINGO!

The one problem you've overlooked with respect to Seattle, Portland and Hartford is nobody gives a crap about hockey in those cities. Same level of interest as Mexico City.

>Yes, by 7/1 at the latest
>If not, Rocky will definitely flex his muscles whenever possible
>Maybe starting with the new CBA negotiations
>Maybe Chicago becomes no longer as interested in helping drive overall league revenue as well
- SnapitUpstairs

- excellent points- sooner or later the teams need to be accounted for how much revenue they contribute to the league as a whole -- AND the greedy calculation / money grab of hiding HRR and not sharing the expansion fees with the players-- who are the only reason people show up-- and put money down on NHL tickets and merchandise

I am a lifelong fan and player of hockey-- I am a proponent of expanding when appropriate-- but when there are teams that can't sell enough tickets to sustain-- and they are a joke of a team just a dumping ground for bad contracts just to get to the cap floor-- something isn't working-- so why would Bettman fudge with one of the standard bearer franchise for the last several years and an original 6 member?

Of course they don't care about the Original 6 because it's a meaningless moniker.
- BINGO!

you are joking right?

NHL doesn't give a poop about the original 6 franchises. If they did Chicago would not be left alone as the sole representative in the west.

Heck, lets go back to the Norris Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Minnesota North Stars (Wild)
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
- TheTrob

That would be fun a lot of great games back in the day. They couldn't hold a candle now. Seeing Stu Grimson run wild going after Wendel Clark, or the old north star games. With the rare exception fans really don't hate there rivals like they use to. I mean I use to hate every redwing and the majority of the blues and northstars. Your Tkachuk, Dallas Drake, Tyson Nash, Barrett Jackman, Chris Pronger Kirk Maltby, Chris Chelios, Basil McCrae, Shane Churla. Now who do you despise Reaves but now he is gone. Roussell and that's about it. To many choir boys now a days.

The one problem you've overlooked with respect to Seattle, Portland and Hartford is nobody gives a crap about hockey in those cities. Same level of interest as Mexico City.
- Z3Hawk

The Portland Winterhawks average 6000-7000 fans per night. Third in the WHL behind Edmonton and Calgary.

That's not nothing.

The one problem you've overlooked with respect to Seattle, Portland and Hartford is nobody gives a crap about hockey in those cities. Same level of interest as Mexico City.
- Z3Hawk

Straight up not true at all.

you are joking right?
- jb3333

No. It means jack poop.

1917-19: 3/4 Teams (Montreal Canadiens first year)
1919-24: 4 Teams (Toronto St. Pats first year)
1924-25: 6 Teams (Boston Bruins First Year)
1925-26: 7 Teams
1926-31: 10 Teams (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers first year)
1931-32: 8 Teams
1932-35: 9 Teams (Detroit Red Wings first year)
1935-38: 8 Teams
1938-42: 7 Teams
1942-67: 6 Teams (Here's your "Original 6")
1967-70: 12 Teams
1970-72: 14 Teams
1972-74: 16 Teams
1974-78: 18 Teams
1978-79: 17 Teams
1979-91: 21 Teams
1991-92: 22 Teams
1992-93: 24 Teams
1993-98: 26 Teams
1998-99: 27 Teams
1999-2000: 28 Teams
2000-17: 30 Teams

And now 31.

Original 6 is just a marketing tool. Nothing else.

No. It means jack poop.

1917-19: 3/4 Teams (Montreal Canadiens first year)
1919-24: 4 Teams (Toronto St. Pats first year)
1924-25: 6 Teams (Boston Bruins First Year)
1925-26: 7 Teams
1926-31: 10 Teams (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers first year)
1931-32: 8 Teams
1932-35: 9 Teams (Detroit Red Wings first year)
1935-38: 8 Teams
1938-42: 7 Teams
1942-67: 6 Teams (Here's your "Original 6")
1967-70: 12 Teams
1970-72: 14 Teams
1972-74: 16 Teams
1974-78: 18 Teams
1978-79: 17 Teams
1979-91: 21 Teams
1991-92: 22 Teams
1992-93: 24 Teams
1993-98: 26 Teams
1998-99: 27 Teams
1999-2000: 28 Teams
2000-17: 30 Teams

And now 31.

Original 6 is just a marketing tool. Nothing else.
- BINGO!

Says the jealous non-original six fan.

No. It means jack poop.

1917-19: 3/4 Teams (Montreal Canadiens first year)
1919-24: 4 Teams (Toronto St. Pats first year)
1924-25: 6 Teams (Boston Bruins First Year)
1925-26: 7 Teams
1926-31: 10 Teams (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers first year)
1931-32: 8 Teams
1932-35: 9 Teams (Detroit Red Wings first year)
1935-38: 8 Teams
1938-42: 7 Teams
1942-67: 6 Teams (Here's your "Original 6")
1967-70: 12 Teams
1970-72: 14 Teams
1972-74: 16 Teams
1974-78: 18 Teams
1978-79: 17 Teams
1979-91: 21 Teams
1991-92: 22 Teams
1992-93: 24 Teams
1993-98: 26 Teams
1998-99: 27 Teams
1999-2000: 28 Teams
2000-17: 30 Teams

And now 31.

Original 6 is just a marketing tool. Nothing else.
- BINGO!

Did your homework.

15 years of just those 6 compared to the other eras, which lead to steady expansion and popularity.

I can see why the meaningless moniker stuck. I get your point though.

No. It means jack poop.

1917-19: 3/4 Teams (Montreal Canadiens first year)
1919-24: 4 Teams (Toronto St. Pats first year)
1924-25: 6 Teams (Boston Bruins First Year)
1925-26: 7 Teams
1926-31: 10 Teams (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers first year)
1931-32: 8 Teams
1932-35: 9 Teams (Detroit Red Wings first year)
1935-38: 8 Teams
1938-42: 7 Teams
1942-67: 6 Teams (Here's your "Original 6")
1967-70: 12 Teams
1970-72: 14 Teams
1972-74: 16 Teams
1974-78: 18 Teams
1978-79: 17 Teams
1979-91: 21 Teams
1991-92: 22 Teams
1992-93: 24 Teams
1993-98: 26 Teams
1998-99: 27 Teams
1999-2000: 28 Teams
2000-17: 30 Teams

And now 31.

Original 6 is just a marketing tool. Nothing else.
- BINGO!

Im surprised that you perceive the original 6 as ONLY a marketing ploy--- which is part of every business- There is no doubt the NHL has evolved over time-- BUT the O 6 is essentially intact from 32 - 67-- and through to today-- thats not a marketing ploy-- its successful branding and management in this hockey markets-- something that many teams never sustain including your beloved Whalers--

Seems to me you are here on the Hawks blog chirping because there is a strong original 6 team with a strong following that you don't have-- add to that the man love for all the Whaler alumni (Q, Dineen, Ulf)-- or you could hang out at that busy blog / fan base of the 'Canes---

The Portland Winterhawks average 6000-7000 fans per night. Third in the WHL behind Edmonton and Calgary.

That's not nothing.
- BINGO!

It is nothing. Lots of CHL teams in Canada can draw big crowds too especially if competitive. Regina Pats averaged close to 5,500 - should Regina have a NHL team too?

The Portland Winterhawks average 6000-7000 fans per night. Third in the WHL behind Edmonton and Calgary.

That's not nothing.
- BINGO!

Portland is a great city-- love it-- BUT 6-7 K for a WHL team that has been there for years with a strong legacy-- is not enough of a base for a NHL franchise--

They would be another drag on the successful teams --

Did your homework.

15 years of just those 6 compared to the other eras, which lead to steady expansion and popularity.

I can see why the meaningless moniker stuck. I get your point though.
- kinigitt

Yeah,

I get the idea of holding on to the tradition for the teams that have it, it's great, but it's a misnomer to say the least.

Sort of a "The six teams that didn't go bankrupt or have their rink burn down."

I think the rule should be, if you win the cup yiu get a 5% bonus increase added to your cap

So while the rest of the league would have a $75m cap.. PITT gets $78.75m cap
- PatShart

I love that idea. If it had been in place in 10 this team would have at least 2 more cups.

Portland is a great city-- love it-- BUT 6-7 K for a WHL team that has been there for years with a strong legacy-- is not enough of a base for a NHL franchise--

They would be another drag on the successful teams --
- jb3333

I think Seattle, WA would become a great hockey market. "The 12th Man" for the Seahawks, and they go crazy for their MLS and MLL teams too. Also, I wouldn't mind another Expansion Draft for a Seattle or Quebec team. It's made this off-season VERY interesting. Maybe Crawford would waive his NMC for Seattle...he seems like a Hipster-type.

Yeah,

I get the idea of holding on to the tradition for the teams that have it, it's great, but it's a misnomer to say the least.

Sort of a "The six teams that didn't go bankrupt or have their rink burn down."
- BINGO!

I'm sure you could make a similar argument against Ford as "an original" automaker, and every other old line "original".

Except for The "Original" Pancake House that I frequent. THAT is 100% legit! It's right there in big letters on their sign!!

I think the rule should be, if you win the cup you get a 5% bonus increase added to your cap

So while the rest of the league would have a $75m cap.. PITT gets $78.75m cap
- PatShart

Why don't ya give the Cup winner the #1 pick in the draft as well.