OT NHL Expansion Bids...Specifically Seattle

[FDNY99]

It says VOLUMES when the head of the leading Seattle NHL Expansion bid lives in CT and has worked here since 1997. Ray Bartoszek of Greenwich CT is heading the bid in Seattle and also wants to build a new NHL arena in the metro Seattle area :
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/39051/handicapping-potential-cities-for-nhl-expansion

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I mean, Greenwich is barely part of CT. That said, the Seattle bid is not strong right now, because they don't have an arena plan ready to go. Vegas and Quebec are the clear leaders right now. Seattle would come into play if they decide to go the route of moving the Coyotes to LV and still wanting that second expansion team out west. Their problem still remains the arena issue. So, I strongly disagree with them being the second "ranked" expansion candidate as of now.

The prospect of a second team in Toronto is ridiculous. That'd be like adding a second baseball team in the Bronx or in Boston. I know they want to move them to Hamilton, but it's just a dumb idea. The NHL gains little from it as it won't increase TV revenue, the Toronto TV ratings for the NHL are already through the roof, better to bring the league back to another hockey-starved city like Quebec.

As for Hartford, I'm not sure any investor will take the city seriously until it puts plans on paper for the new XL Center that is actually an NHL-caliber facility, and puts shovels into the ground. Until then, it's a pipe dream. The upside for the prospect of the league coming back is the Whaler brand is incredibly strong, leaps and bounds more so than when they actually existed. For a period of time recently, the Whalers were the fifth-ranked team in the NHL in merchandise sales.

 

[Jarhead_1775]

I used to play hockey with Eddie Shore III, he's spoken to Bettman and as far as Bettman is concerned, as long as he draws breath, Hartford won't have an NHL team.

 

[FDNY99]

I used to play hockey with Eddie Shore III, he's spoken to Bettman and as far as Bettman is concerned, as long as he draws breath, Hartford won't have an NHL team.

Whaler fans aside...I don't know of 1 fan who roots for a NHL team that wouldn't mind Bettman being hit by a bus Jarhead. I was EXTREMELY proud of that Colin White this year at the draft when he blew him off:

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Following up on the bidding cities, an interesting tidbit:
Ken Campbell‏@THNKenCampbell
According to @GeoffBakerTIMES, Ray Bartoszek did not file expansion bid for Seattle. No Seattle, no Toronto. Looks like just LV and QC.

 

[IMind]

The plan for Hartford should be to target the future failed Las Vegas franchise.

 

[FDNY99]

Following up on the bidding cities, an interesting tidbit:
Ken Campbell‏@THNKenCampbell
According to @GeoffBakerTIMES, Ray Bartoszek did not file expansion bid for Seattle. No Seattle, no Toronto. Looks like just LV and QC.

QC is turn key there with that new arena...someone else is gonna have to step up when the Coyotes are ready to move...there is also a rumor or the Islanders having a out clause in their Brooklyn lease in 5 yrs

 

[Adios]

I guess we won't need to guess who'll get expansion teams. I could imagine the LV team will be the Las Vegas Black Knights.

 

[Adios]

I mean, Greenwich is barely part of CT.

That is so untrue. If it was not for Greenwich, Stamford, etc, the Tories would have been able to make the colony of NY larger along the northern LI Sound shoreline.

 

[TheDoggPound]

I used to play hockey with Eddie Shore III, he's spoken to Bettman and as far as Bettman is concerned, as long as he draws breath, Hartford won't have an NHL team.

At the end of the day Bettman doesn't call the shots. The owners with the most pull (Jacobs specifically) do. Jacobs is already on record saying he'd welcome another NHL team in Hartford because that means he has to spend less on travel.

Also riddle me this: If the NHL and Gary Bettman 'hate' Hartford why would the Phoenix Coyotes be allowed to tour the XL Center?

 

[WestHartHusk]

At the end of the day Bettman doesn't call the shots. The owners with the most pull (Jacobs specifically) do. Jacobs is already on record saying he'd welcome another NHL team in Hartford because that means he has to spend less on travel.

Also riddle me this: If the NHL and Gary Bettman 'hate' Hartford why would the Phoenix Coyotes be allowed to tour the XL Center?

When did that happen?

 

[TheDoggPound]

When did that happen?

Last month after Glendale terminated the lease agreement. Definitely not the only market they toured though.

 

[FDNY99]

At the end of the day Bettman doesn't call the shots. The owners with the most pull (Jacobs specifically) do. Jacobs is already on record saying he'd welcome another NHL team in Hartford because that means he has to spend less on travel.

Also riddle me this: If the NHL and Gary Bettman 'hate' Hartford why would the Phoenix Coyotes be allowed to tour the XL Center?

The Coyotes and the Islanders after playing in the Brooklyn for 5 yrs
http://nyislesblog.com/articles/islanders-can-opt-out-of-barclay-s-center-lease
will both be looking for new homes. Do I think it would happen...no...BUT you can't win if you don't play. DoggPound when will the XL renovation be done?

 

[TheDoggPound]

The Coyotes and the Islanders after playing in the Brooklyn for 5 yrs
http://nyislesblog.com/articles/islanders-can-opt-out-of-barclay-s-center-lease
will both be looking for new homes. Do I think it would happen...no...BUT you can't win if you don't play. DoggPound when will the XL renovation be done?

If it begins early next summer we're looking at Fall/Winter of 2018. The timeline works out quite well and a team could theoretically play during the retrofit though the state would likely have to cover any losses during that time.

 

[FDNY99]

If it begins early next summer we're looking at Fall/Winter of 2018. The timeline works out quite well and a team could theoretically play during the retrofit though the state would likely have to cover any losses during that time.

If it's gonna happen...I'd put my money on the Islanders. The Barclays SUCKS for hockey...they will be walking away from some serious money, BUT they should be able to make it up if they get the right deal...
I say that within 5 years the Coyotes, Islanders and Hurricanes (if they are sold) all have new homes.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Hartford makes a lot more sense than Vegas. Yes, they will have good attendance at first; but, as soon as the buzz wears off, those non Hockey fans are going to have lot of options where to spend their extra cash. Basically a version of Miami that replaces the beach with casinos. That said, I agree that as long as Bettman is commissioner of the NHL, there is no chance that the NHL returns to Hartford. Heck, there is a lot of talk that Hartford will lose their AHL team to Bridgeport (closer to MSG) when the islands moved their team from Bridgeport to the renovated Nassau Coliseum on Long island in 2017 or so.

Putting a team in Quebec City is a no-brainer.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Heck, there is a lot of talk that Hartford will lose their AHL team to Bridgeport (closer to MSG) when the islands moved their team from Bridgeport to the renovated Nassau Coliseum on Long island in 2017 or so.

Well they could be gone as early as next year but it doesn't truly matter much at all. The demographic of hockey fans that attends AHL (mostly families) doesn't come close to matching the demographic for NHL fans. It's apples and oranges. UConn Hockey in fact is a much better barometer to use considering they draw from generally the same pool an NHL franchise would.

Also I bet some would be surprised to learn that minor league hockey failed in Minnesota & Quebec City. All things considered the unwanted Wolf Pack managed to fare much, much better (and longer) then the majority of minor league teams especially considering the affiliation alienates about 95% of hockey fans here before the puck is even dropped.

 

[FartMan69]

Is there actual evidence that Arizona toured the XL? I've heard this rumor but no one of any substance has confirmed it.

 

[TheDoggPound]

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/...d-arena-lease-putting-this-dispute-behind-us/


Hmmm.. Summer 2017 - XL Center retrofit will be well underway, Seattle won't be close to ready and the only other cities out there to compete with are Portland, Ore. and Kansas City. The timing is perfect and I like our chances.

Only question now is does Barroway like Hartford enough to not sell and remain owner or does he sell his stake to Ray B?

 

[huskymike]

I haven't heard much from Howard Baldwin since the Whale were rebranded back to the Wolfpack. Is he still involved in any way in bringing the NHL back to Hartford?

 

[TheDoggPound]

I haven't heard much from Howard Baldwin since the Whale were rebranded back to the Wolfpack. Is he still involved in any way in bringing the NHL back to Hartford?

No, he moved back to LA. No involvement. His whole role originally was to try and revive AHL market.

 

[kelseypup]

I think Dave Tippet and Sean Burke are coaches for the Coyotes. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that they looked at the XL Center. The city of Hartford needs to do something about the XL Center no matter NHL comes or not!

 

[ct06111]

I think Dave Tippet and Sean Burke are coaches for the Coyotes. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that they looked at the XL Center. The city of Hartford needs to do something about the XL Center no matter NHL comes or not!

Plus, the Arizona Coyotes AHL affiliate is located 45 minutes away in Springfield,MA. Why did the Coyotes not go out west like the rest and play less games?

Plus, hopefully max letunov stays with coyotes. UCONN to Springfield to the NHL in Hartford!!!

 

[ct06111]

Please sign and spread the word
Thank you!!!

https://www.change.org/p/national-h...e-senate-hartford-whalers-season-ticket-drive