Last year, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made a grand tour of the cities whose teams he removed back in the 1990's with an olive branch in his hand, announcing that the NHL would consider returning to these places if certain conditions were met.
By deduction, unofficially the NHL wants:
1. Adequate fan support
2. Credible investors
3. An NHL size arena
4. No territorial disputes
So why after so long a banishment is the NHL making a partial wooing of its old members?
Two reasons, one positive and one negative.
An economic report last year stated that nearly one third of the NHL's revenues are coming from Canada. Even Bettman had to take notice of this above-average sum.
So now he'll listen to the pleas of Winnipeg and Quebec for returned franchises. Of the two, Quebec is doing the most to comply.
The best choice for Canadian expansion, Hamilton, is being ignored and shunned because Buffalo and Toronto don't want to share the rich southern Ontario market with another team.
But the other reason he is making a pilgrimage to Canada and Hartford must ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Thompson
The NHL Is a Lot Weaker Than It Admits
March 21st, 2010 by Steve Thompson Leave a reply »
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