Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: NHL Expansion Update, Sven Baertschi's Comparables The NHL's deadline for expansion bids has passed with a formal offer from Las Vegas, but without one for Seattle. And a look at Sven Baertschi's leverage on his new contract with the Canucks.

Too bad. I'd like to see Seattle over Vegas...

Sven is looking to make an impression with the Nucks. I suspect he'll sign (whatever) if he's given the opportunity to play.

I suspect that Nucks are waiting to see if arbitration opens any doors (either teams needing to reduce cap to sign, or teams refusing to sign).

By holding cap they would have a shot at picking up a player. I don't know where they stand in terms of numbers of signed players byt that may also be a factor. If nothing comes from arbitration, expect the signing shortly thereafter. If something does, then the Nucks see where the dominoes need to fall before committing the Sven $$$. I expect that both parties have an understanding in place and know what to expect with regards to a deal. Nucks just want to hold space and cap to maximize their choices

God help this forum if Benning over pays Sven.

Not sure if their levels of interest but I would be happy with NHL teams in either Portland or Milwaukee, given they have arena's in place.

I think the NBA did a "loan" season by relocating New Orleans to OKC after the hurricane, and shortly after OKC got a team of their own through relocation. Maybe resolve this Coyotes fiasco by trying out a city like Seattle (in Key Arena) or Portland, Milwaukee, Kansas City, etc.

God help this forum if Benning over pays Sven.
- bloatedmosquito

5 years, 2.5 per...

Too bad. I'd like to see Seattle over Vegas...

Sven is looking to make an impression with the Nucks. I suspect he'll sign (whatever) if he's given the opportunity to play.
- geta02it

If he was willing to sign for a cheap deal like Etem or Bennett, it would of already been done.

I suspect it has more to do with the fact that his agent knows Van has already penciled Bae into a top 6 role and don't have any other options waiting in the wings.

Mtl has lots of competition for Etem and Bennett as well won't be vying for a top 6 spot either.

I think most likely we see Bae sign for ~ 2 million of 2-3 years and then the msg boards will go back and forth about his negotiating skills, talent analysis etc.

sven most likely signs 2yrs/3m

Not sure if their levels of interest but I would be happy with NHL teams in either Portland or Milwaukee, given they have arena's in place.

I think the NBA did a "loan" season by relocating New Orleans to OKC after the hurricane, and shortly after OKC got a team of their own through relocation. Maybe resolve this Coyotes fiasco by trying out a city like Seattle (in Key Arena) or Portland, Milwaukee, Kansas City, etc.
- WhiteLie

I think Seattle is much more likely to get a relocation once they have sorted out getting an NBA team. The story from Hansen and interested parties there has always been NBA first and then see about an NHL team. Honestly it is the smartest approach as well IMO.

I personally hate the idea of two more expansions regardless of locations, the NHL talent pool doesn't need to be watered down any more. Adding more teams won't make the league any more entertaining but I'm sure the owners will all like a piece of the expansion fees.

If he was willing to sign for a cheap deal like Etem or Bennett, it would of already been done.

I suspect it has more to do with the fact that his agent knows Van has already penciled Bae into a top 6 role and don't have any other options waiting in the wings.

Mtl has lots of competition for Etem and Bennett as well won't be vying for a top 6 spot either.

I think most likely we see Bae sign for ~ 2 million of 2-3 years and then the msg boards will go back and forth about his negotiating skills, talent analysis etc.
- belcherbd

I don't think cheap but he won't be a hold out... He wants a chance to show he's capable of playing in the NHL. 1.5 2 yr (realistically) show me deal.

God help this forum if Benning over pays Sven.
- bloatedmosquito

No doubt. At least it will turn the focus from Miller and Sbisa...

Maybe...

sven most likely signs 2yrs/3m
- SRam19

He wont get that on a 1 way contract. 750K on a 1 way contract

Hey Carol what did you actually hear on the results from the season ticket drive in Vegas? I heard they really struggled to get to the 10,000 mark. Did Bettman just fill the rest in?

Hey Carol what did you actually hear on the results from the season ticket drive in Vegas? I heard they really struggled to get to the 10,000 mark. Did Bettman just fill the rest in?


- LordHumungous

I heard it was over 11,000

I think Hockey in Vegas will work .Every night we were there we were looking for shows or dining. If they had a game going we would have went. I think the casual sports fan will scoop up ticket without being compped by the Casinos

Be careful with Baertschi , he is our next Mason Raymond , not the next Pavel.

I was looking at next years group of UFA defensemen , a team would be smart this year to lock down Franson at 4.5 for 4 years. It will cost more next year for older players

Hey Carol what did you actually hear on the results from the season ticket drive in Vegas? I heard they really struggled to get to the 10,000 mark. Did Bettman just fill the rest in?


- LordHumungous

I heard numbers as high as 12,500 when I was there.

This article posted on VegasWantsHockey.com from Sports Illustrated cites over 13,000 "season ticket deposits and other expressions of interest from the community."

I guess that includes the casinos. Still, a pretty solid base to build from.

He wont get that on a 1 way contract. 750K on a 1 way contract
- A_SteamingLombardi

If he was going to sign for 750K , don't you think it would already be done?

I heard numbers as high as 12,500 when I was there.

This article posted on VegasWantsHockey.com from Sports Illustrated cites over 13,000 "season ticket deposits and other expressions of interest from the community."

I guess that includes the casinos. Still, a pretty solid base to build from.
- Carol Schram

Plane loads of Canadians arrive in Vegas every daily. Keep the ticket prices reasonable and they will come.

Responding to Belcherbd:

I don't think it's smart to expand to a market whose interest in hockey seems to be lukewarm at best, regardless of whether they get an NBA team or not. It's not like the NBA is going to help the hockey team, they will be in direct competition with each other.

I think that the NHL is crazy (or crazy greedy) to even be considering expanding right now.

Responding to Belcherbd:

I don't think it's smart to expand to a market whose interest in hockey seems to be lukewarm at best, regardless of whether they get an NBA team or not. It's not like the NBA is going to help the hockey team, they will be in direct competition with each other.

I think that the NHL is crazy (or crazy greedy) to even be considering expanding right now.
- CubanBuffet

They need two teams to make both conferences have equal teams. They don't need more

They need two teams to make both conferences have equal teams. They don't need more - Vantel.

If Vegas and Quebec City both got expansion teams, I wonder which Eastern Team would change over to the West?

They need two teams to make both conferences have equal teams. They don't need more
- VANTEL

It would be cool if they took Pheonix or Florida and had them wander around North America for a couple of seasons. Maybe they spend a month in Kansas City and other potential markets to gauge interest, a month in Saskatchewan and other hockey mad markets that would never be able to support a team full time, etc.

Obviously it would never happen, most of the players, particularly the older ones, wouldn't appreciate being basically homeless for an entire season, but it would be interesting. They would make a killing in jersey sales and other merch alone.

If he was going to sign for 750K , don't you think it would already be done?
- belcherbd

Yes, I don't know what's holding it up.

Plane loads of Canadians arrive in Vegas every daily. Keep the ticket prices reasonable and they will come.
- VANTEL

They'll need a strong local base or the team will flop. Look at the Rays for baseball. No one there gives a crap. Way too many fans of other teams watching games at that park.