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From the perspective of growing the game, which is a big point for the league, it doesn't look good for Quebec City. It will have an arena, so in that crucial aspect, it has a leg up on a lot of other cities. If Quebec City misses out on an expansion team, it would be perfect for relocation. Safe market to move a struggling franchise.
Yeah, that's a good point. Given that Detroit is probably the city that's furthest west in the East, you can't really justify switching any of the existing teams into the West to offset adding another in the East.
I know Quebec City makes more sense than Vegas, but the NHL probably sees Vegas as the ultimate experiment in professional American sports. It has so many places it can succeed and so many it can fail, so that's kind of exciting I guess.
Anybody who thinks Vegas can't support a team is forgetting something important: There has never been a professional sports team in Las Vegas. People who live there are DYING for pro sports of any kind.
Honestly, I think it'll work just fine. I see the situation being compared to Arizona, but the Coyotes did fine when they were in a populated area. With the arena being built right on the strip, it won't face the same problems. As you said, with it being the one pro-sports team in town, it should draw pretty well. That and it looks almost like a lock that Vegas will be one of the expansion teams.
I'm more curious to see if Seattle gets it's shit together arena-wise to make a serious expansion push. I read that Portland was one of the other possible cities in the west that could be in the mix as well.
Having moved to Seattle from Ottawa, I have been craving a hockey outlet for years.
That said, it seems like Vegas is a shoo-in and from the accounts I've read, Quebec City is putting together a pretty good package.
I can only hope that the 'multiple bid scenario' that the article describes in Seattle can get sorted out and we can finally get something tangible happening here, rather than focusing on an NBA team and bringing hockey here as an afterthought.
The success of the Seahawks and Sounders (and to some extent the Mariners) to draw crowds should be an indicator of the viability of another big 4 sports team here.
I suppose it's good that the NHL is hoping to expand here, but I can't shake the feeling that the city just isn't pushing for it.
The Hansen bid was primarily aimed at bringing the Sonics back, the NHL aspect of that bid was simply to make the arena bid more viable ("Look! it's multi purpose!"). The same is looking true for the Tukwila proposal.
I don't know, personal unfounded bias? I'm not afraid to admit it. I just don't think it's a smart deal. Maybe I'm wrong and it will work out well but I feel like the first few years will work well but I can't imagine the local residents keeping a stadium filled year after year. Maybe it will work out well if the casinos buy enough tickets to give away as comps to gamblers but most of the local residents don't make a lot of money so I don't see them buying season tickets.
The only reason I am very worried about the NHL in Vegas is that the Maloofs are involved. It doesn't give me great confidence. I feel like this will be marketed as "THE FIRST PRO SPORTS IN VEGAS" thing and become kind of a gimmick. But I guess we'll see.
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[–] silentbob583 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
It would be cool if they could bring back the Nordiques. Having a team in Las Vegas really doesn't make much sense to me though.
[–] Tie_Domi 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I think they probally will, next to Vegas, Quebec has the strongest propsal. NHL calibre rink and the fans to support it.
[–] Toews 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Did they not say that Vegas was happening for sure?
[–] NOTTHEBEES 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
From the perspective of growing the game, which is a big point for the league, it doesn't look good for Quebec City. It will have an arena, so in that crucial aspect, it has a leg up on a lot of other cities. If Quebec City misses out on an expansion team, it would be perfect for relocation. Safe market to move a struggling franchise.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] silentbob583 ago
Yeah, that's a good point. Given that Detroit is probably the city that's furthest west in the East, you can't really justify switching any of the existing teams into the West to offset adding another in the East.
[–] QuantumMonster 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I know Quebec City makes more sense than Vegas, but the NHL probably sees Vegas as the ultimate experiment in professional American sports. It has so many places it can succeed and so many it can fail, so that's kind of exciting I guess.
[–] Vordea 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Anybody who thinks Vegas can't support a team is forgetting something important: There has never been a professional sports team in Las Vegas. People who live there are DYING for pro sports of any kind.
[–] NOTTHEBEES ago
Honestly, I think it'll work just fine. I see the situation being compared to Arizona, but the Coyotes did fine when they were in a populated area. With the arena being built right on the strip, it won't face the same problems. As you said, with it being the one pro-sports team in town, it should draw pretty well. That and it looks almost like a lock that Vegas will be one of the expansion teams.
I'm more curious to see if Seattle gets it's shit together arena-wise to make a serious expansion push. I read that Portland was one of the other possible cities in the west that could be in the mix as well.
[–] gnarledout 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Why wouldn't an expansion be successful in Vegas? I think you are all forgetting the wonderful and wildly successful era of the XFL! /s
[–] seedobeggars 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Having moved to Seattle from Ottawa, I have been craving a hockey outlet for years.
That said, it seems like Vegas is a shoo-in and from the accounts I've read, Quebec City is putting together a pretty good package.
I can only hope that the 'multiple bid scenario' that the article describes in Seattle can get sorted out and we can finally get something tangible happening here, rather than focusing on an NBA team and bringing hockey here as an afterthought.
[–] utumu 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I moved to Seattle from Toronto a decade ago. I feel like the NHL is hoping to expand or move a team here pretty strongly...
[–] seedobeggars ago
The success of the Seahawks and Sounders (and to some extent the Mariners) to draw crowds should be an indicator of the viability of another big 4 sports team here.
I suppose it's good that the NHL is hoping to expand here, but I can't shake the feeling that the city just isn't pushing for it. The Hansen bid was primarily aimed at bringing the Sonics back, the NHL aspect of that bid was simply to make the arena bid more viable ("Look! it's multi purpose!"). The same is looking true for the Tukwila proposal.
Hopefully I'm wrong!
[–] Djazazel ago
Please no, not in Las Vegas. Seattle and Quebec would be my top choices. Portland if not in Seattle.
[–] opinionatedduck 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Why not in Las Vegas? Personally, I'm curious how it'd go over there so I'm totally open for it.
[–] Djazazel ago
I don't know, personal unfounded bias? I'm not afraid to admit it. I just don't think it's a smart deal. Maybe I'm wrong and it will work out well but I feel like the first few years will work well but I can't imagine the local residents keeping a stadium filled year after year. Maybe it will work out well if the casinos buy enough tickets to give away as comps to gamblers but most of the local residents don't make a lot of money so I don't see them buying season tickets.
[–] SquirtyMcFisto ago
The only reason I am very worried about the NHL in Vegas is that the Maloofs are involved. It doesn't give me great confidence. I feel like this will be marketed as "THE FIRST PRO SPORTS IN VEGAS" thing and become kind of a gimmick. But I guess we'll see.