Nashville Predators moving to Canada? NOPE! Sorry, Canucks (and KC!)...

Brooklyn Bridge · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

FWIW, heard a radio interview today with Larry Gottesdiner (sp?), the guy who owns the rights to the Hartford Civic Center. He's wanted to bring an NHL team back to Hartford for several years. Sounded disappointed about the Nashville thing and said the NHL is going to expand again??? WTF?

JR · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Bob Cook said:

Atlanta is doing better than Nashville. Though Atlanta is a tough sell for any team, it seems. Until Michael Vick, the Falcons were in the attendance pooper. The Braves and Hawks have always been tough draws. Then again, I wouldn't be shocked if some of the reason is Atlanta's notorious traffic. You certainly aren't going home from work before the game, then coming back in. That's even possible here in Chicago.

To maintain its current level of teams, the NHL needs some southern success. K-W is a viable market, and if it weren't for the 50-mile rule, you could argue Toronto and Montreal each could (in theory) support a second team. But that's it for Canada. Quebec and Winnipeg would have the same problems it had before -- limited population, limited corporate base. Within a 75-mile radius, I think Fort Wayne, Ind., would have a larger population and corporate base than Quebec and Winnipeg.

Granted, Quebec and Winnipeg would be far more likely to enthusiastically support an NHL team than would Fort Wayne -- same as they would be more likely to do so than similarly sized U.S. metros such as Baton Rouge, Grand Rapids, McAllen and Akron. It's hard to expect a 700,000-population metro under any circumstances to pay NHL prices to fill a 17,000-seat rink 40-plus nights a year. At least with a city such as, say, Houston, the metro area is large enough that even if hockey interest is small, a base of 5 million means the potential for filling that arena is much greater.

The advantage K-W has over Quebec and Winnipeg as well is that it has a population outside its immediate area to draw from. That dismisses just about any other Canadian city that doesn't have an NHL team from getting one -- drive 20 miles out of town, and you might be nowhere.

Emotionally, it would be great to see the NHL return to those cities, but unfortunately demographics argues otherwise.
Click to expand...

The only argument you might haul out to justify the success of teams in secondary Canadian markets like Quebec City and Winnipeg is the salary cap that effectively puts every team on a level playing field.

I'm kinda with you on this--can a city of 700,000 support a NHL team for 41 home games and is there a large enough corporate base?

I don't know the answers but I'm sure someone has done feasibility studies for cities like Winnipeg--studies other than empty campaign slogans.

But K-W is a no-brainer.

boots · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

boots said:

Claws for Concern said:

Nashville nearly got the New Jersey Devils franchise a few years back. Thank god that didn't happen as the new arena in Newark will open this fall.
Click to expand...

And once the luster of the new arena is over, how long do you think it will be before the Devils will be looking to move?
Click to expand...

Depends on what they do in the next couple of years -- when Brodeur retires or Lou goes, it'll be interesting to see what that franchise does altogether.
Click to expand...

Devs have some young talent--Zajac, Parise--and Gionta is signed to a long term contract. The Devils will be fine.
Click to expand...

It's still a valid question, though, concerning the franchise since it rarely, if ever, sells out a game. The new arena could help them significantly, but it'll be interesting to see this team long term and the fan support. They still ive in the shadow of the Rangers and Buffalo has the strong fan base too.
Click to expand...

Difference is that the Newark Arena will be accessable by mass transit. The Meadowlands was accessable by car and bus, and the bus only to certain hours. Why would New Yorkers who don't drive or who wanted to drink go to a Devils game at the Meadolands? On the off chance that they could get stranded? The PATH train will run right into the Newark Arena, offering New Yorkers to opportunity to go to the game without having to drive.
Click to expand...

There will be a HEAVY police presence in the area.

hockeybeat · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

boots said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

boots said:

Claws for Concern said:

Nashville nearly got the New Jersey Devils franchise a few years back. Thank god that didn't happen as the new arena in Newark will open this fall.
Click to expand...

And once the luster of the new arena is over, how long do you think it will be before the Devils will be looking to move?
Click to expand...

Depends on what they do in the next couple of years -- when Brodeur retires or Lou goes, it'll be interesting to see what that franchise does altogether.
Click to expand...

Devs have some young talent--Zajac, Parise--and Gionta is signed to a long term contract. The Devils will be fine.
Click to expand...

It's still a valid question, though, concerning the franchise since it rarely, if ever, sells out a game. The new arena could help them significantly, but it'll be interesting to see this team long term and the fan support. They still ive in the shadow of the Rangers and Buffalo has the strong fan base too.
Click to expand...

Difference is that the Newark Arena will be accessable by mass transit. The Meadowlands was accessable by car and bus, and the bus only to certain hours. Why would New Yorkers who don't drive or who wanted to drink go to a Devils game at the Meadolands? On the off chance that they could get stranded? The PATH train will run right into the Newark Arena, offering New Yorkers to opportunity to go to the game without having to drive.
Click to expand...

There will be a HEAVY police presence in the area.
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with you, unlike some others here, but what's your point? Most arenas and the surrounding area have a strong police presence. Check out Yankee and Shea Stadiums during baseball seasons. Cops as far as the eye can see. Cops swarm all over MSG. Why would it be any different in Newark?

JR · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Brooklyn Bridge said:

Sounded disappointed about the Nashville thing and said the NHL is going to expand again??? WTF?
Click to expand...

I can't imagine the NHL will expand any time in the next few years.

There are probably six too many teams.

boots · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

hockeybeat said:

boots said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

boots said:

Claws for Concern said:

Nashville nearly got the New Jersey Devils franchise a few years back. Thank god that didn't happen as the new arena in Newark will open this fall.
Click to expand...

And once the luster of the new arena is over, how long do you think it will be before the Devils will be looking to move?
Click to expand...

Depends on what they do in the next couple of years -- when Brodeur retires or Lou goes, it'll be interesting to see what that franchise does altogether.
Click to expand...

Devs have some young talent--Zajac, Parise--and Gionta is signed to a long term contract. The Devils will be fine.
Click to expand...

It's still a valid question, though, concerning the franchise since it rarely, if ever, sells out a game. The new arena could help them significantly, but it'll be interesting to see this team long term and the fan support. They still ive in the shadow of the Rangers and Buffalo has the strong fan base too.
Click to expand...

Difference is that the Newark Arena will be accessable by mass transit. The Meadowlands was accessable by car and bus, and the bus only to certain hours. Why would New Yorkers who don't drive or who wanted to drink go to a Devils game at the Meadolands? On the off chance that they could get stranded? The PATH train will run right into the Newark Arena, offering New Yorkers to opportunity to go to the game without having to drive.
Click to expand...

There will be a HEAVY police presence in the area.
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with you, unlike some others here, but what's your point? Most arenas and the surrounding area have a strong police presence. Check out Yankee and Shea Stadiums during baseball seasons. Cops as far as the eye can see. Cops swarm all over MSG. Why would it be any different in Newark?
Click to expand...

My point is that there is a big difference between NYC cops and Newark cops. If you live in the area, you know what I'm talking about. That area, while refirbished, still has plenty of low lifes looking for easy victims. The same can be said with a number of other arenas.
I think the Devils do a lot for New Jersey. They are the state's only recognized pro team. But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.

JR · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

boots said:

But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

From what I hear, you may be the only person on Planet Earth to miss that place.

boots · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

JR said:

boots said:

But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

From what I hear, you may be the only person on Planet Earth to miss that place.
Click to expand...

No, I don't think that I'm alone.

hockeybeat · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

boots said:

hockeybeat said:

boots said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

hockeybeat said:

Claws for Concern said:

boots said:

Claws for Concern said:

Nashville nearly got the New Jersey Devils franchise a few years back. Thank god that didn't happen as the new arena in Newark will open this fall.
Click to expand...

And once the luster of the new arena is over, how long do you think it will be before the Devils will be looking to move?
Click to expand...

Depends on what they do in the next couple of years -- when Brodeur retires or Lou goes, it'll be interesting to see what that franchise does altogether.
Click to expand...

Devs have some young talent--Zajac, Parise--and Gionta is signed to a long term contract. The Devils will be fine.
Click to expand...

It's still a valid question, though, concerning the franchise since it rarely, if ever, sells out a game. The new arena could help them significantly, but it'll be interesting to see this team long term and the fan support. They still ive in the shadow of the Rangers and Buffalo has the strong fan base too.
Click to expand...

Difference is that the Newark Arena will be accessable by mass transit. The Meadowlands was accessable by car and bus, and the bus only to certain hours. Why would New Yorkers who don't drive or who wanted to drink go to a Devils game at the Meadolands? On the off chance that they could get stranded? The PATH train will run right into the Newark Arena, offering New Yorkers to opportunity to go to the game without having to drive.
Click to expand...

There will be a HEAVY police presence in the area.
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with you, unlike some others here, but what's your point? Most arenas and the surrounding area have a strong police presence. Check out Yankee and Shea Stadiums during baseball seasons. Cops as far as the eye can see. Cops swarm all over MSG. Why would it be any different in Newark?
Click to expand...

My point is that there is a big difference between NYC cops and Newark cops. If you live in the area, you know what I'm talking about. That area, while refirbished, still has plenty of low lifes looking for easy victims. The same can be said with a number of other arenas.
I think the Devils do a lot for New Jersey. They are the state's only recognized pro team. But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

I think the new arena and the jobs it will create will help eliminate some of the negative aura surrounding Newark. It's going to be a positive.

Double J · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

boots said:

I think the Devils do a lot for New Jersey. They are the state's only recognized pro team. But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

Um, these guys have been in NJ since 1977, five years before the Devils arrived. They haven't moved to Brooklyn yet. They may never move to Brooklyn. From what I understand, they may never leave East Rutherford despite being invited by the Devils to tag along to Newark.

So, you may not have to miss the Brendan Byrne Arena after all.

JR · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

boots said:

JR said:

boots said:

But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

From what I hear, you may be the only person on Planet Earth to miss that place.
Click to expand...

No, I don't think that I'm alone.
Click to expand...

Well, talk to hockey beat writers. From what I hear it's the hockey version of hell.

boots · May 29, 2007

Re: Nashville Predators moving to Canada? Sure seems like it...

Double J said:

boots said:

I think the Devils do a lot for New Jersey. They are the state's only recognized pro team. But I have to admit, I will miss Continental Arena.
Click to expand...

Um, these guys have been in NJ since 1977, five years before the Devils arrived. They haven't moved to Brooklyn yet. They may never move to Brooklyn. From what I understand, they may never leave East Rutherford despite being invited by the Devils to tag along to Newark.

So, you may not have to miss the Brendan Byrne Arena after all.
Click to expand...

I'm old school. They will ALWAYS BE THE NEW YORK NETS!

Log in or Sign up

Nashville Predators moving to Canada? NOPE! Sorry, Canucks (and KC!)...

Brooklyn Bridge Well-Known Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

hockeybeat Guest

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

hockeybeat Guest

Double J Active Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Nashville Predators moving to Canada? NOPE! Sorry, Canucks (and KC!)...

Brooklyn Bridge Well-Known Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

hockeybeat Guest

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

hockeybeat Guest

Double J Active Member

JR Well-Known Member

boots New Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches