Big Ten for UConn Key to Hartford Whalers Return

[gars44]

He is successful, doesn't make the notion that the NHL, would care about what conference UConn is in anymore relevant. What it tells me is that this guy has the governors ear.

Right. He's rich. That's my whole take on this!

 

[Dooley]

Richard Gordon should rot in hell for running Ron Francis out of town.

Don't forget about Ed Johnston. All he could net in return for trading one of the best players in NHL history (not to mention an excellent defenseman and a decent depth defenseman) was an undersized center who couldn't stand on his skates and a defenseman who couldn't play a lick of defense (or hit the net). I'll give him a pass for Jeff Parker since he was concussed in his first game at Landover, Md and never returned to his ability (which was fairly limited to begin with anyway).

 

[Atross]

Well the first thing you want is people actually coming into the city to shop or go out. The problem is the high cost for parking. Why would I go spend money on parking then spend more on top of that when I could just go out to other areas where the parking is free? Second it's becoming too expensive to go to the XL Center. How are you going to get people to spend money afterwards due to high costs of going to events? There needs to be a balance. Hartford is not New York or Boston or even New Haven.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Well the first thing you want is people actually coming into the city to shop or go out. The problem is the high cost for parking. Why would I go spend money on parking then spend more on top of that when I could just go out to other areas where the parking is free? Second it's becoming too expensive to go to the XL Center. How are you going to get people to spend money afterwards due to high costs of going to events? There needs to be a balance. Hartford is not New York or Boston or even New Haven.

Well the alternative is effective mass transit but CT residents are against that too.

 

[Atross]

Well the alternative is effective mass transit but CT residents are against that too.

Attendance is down. That has to be addressed before any conference would even consider UCONN. Parking Rates and Event costs need to be reviewed.

 

[Bill Sussman]

Attendance is down. That has to be addressed before any conference would even consider UCONN. Parking Rates and Event costs need to be reviewed.

Not that I disagree with the whole notion of reviewing parking rates for downtown but how much do you all pay for parking during an XL Center game. I can find garage parking for 5 bucks within easy walking distance. Not sure how you lower the rates from that without demanding free parking (which may be what you are asking for)

 

[specialisthusky]

Well the first thing you want is people actually coming into the city to shop or go out. The problem is the high cost for parking. Why would I go spend money on parking then spend more on top of that when I could just go out to other areas where the parking is free? Second it's becoming too expensive to go to the XL Center. How are you going to get people to spend money afterwards due to high costs of going to events? There needs to be a balance. Hartford is not New York or Boston or even New Haven.

Street parking is free weekdays after 6 and all day on weekends.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Attendance is down. That has to be addressed before any conference would even consider UCONN. Parking Rates and Event costs need to be reviewed.

Where to start? Attendance doesn't matter anymore for conference realignment - it is about eyeballs and TV networks. And even if attendance did matter, what proof do you have that parking prices are affecting it versus the economy/better TV coverage/better TV technology? And finally, even if attendance mattered for CR, and parking rates impacted attendance, who should do what about it? Last I checked, the parking rates are set by private lot owners who make their own determination as to how to maximize profit. If we are going to play pricing czar, then I think every pitcher of beer that I buy at City Steam should come with free nachos and a lap dance.

 

[Husky25]

Well the first thing you want is people actually coming into the city to shop or go out. The problem is the high cost for parking. Why would I go spend money on parking then spend more on top of that when I could just go out to other areas where the parking is free? Second it's becoming too expensive to go to the XL Center. How are you going to get people to spend money afterwards due to high costs of going to events? There needs to be a balance. Hartford is not New York or Boston or even New Haven.

The XL Center can only control the rates for its own garage and they probably contract with a separate operator to begin with. All the lots in the downtown area are for profit businesses. Of course they are going to try and maximize their cash in flow. It's economics 101. Be that as it may, I assure you that attendance is not down because of the $10 parking.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

Well the first thing you want is people actually coming into the city to shop or go out. The problem is the high cost for parking. Why would I go spend money on parking then spend more on top of that when I could just go out to other areas where the parking is free? Second it's becoming too expensive to go to the XL Center. How are you going to get people to spend money afterwards due to high costs of going to events? There needs to be a balance. Hartford is not New York or Boston or even New Haven.

You are correct. Hartford is not NYC or Boston. That is why parking is $5 to $10 instead of $20 to $40 downtown on event nights...Parking in Hartford really is not bad. It's the mind set of the suburban oriented people of CT that needs to adjust to the reality that most parking in the city will cost a little. I think a new arena would improve the overall experience of going downtown to see an event though and would increase demand significantly.

 

[Ha Who]

You are correct. Hartford is not NYC or Boston. That is why parking is $5 to $10 instead of $20 to $40 downtown on event nights...Parking in Hartford really is not bad. It's the mind set of the suburban oriented people of CT that needs to adjust to the reality that most parking in the city will cost a little. I think a new arena would improve the overall experience of going downtown to see an event though and would increase demand significantly.

I agree. I walk three blocks and pay $5.00. This is also helps me get out of the city faster by avoiding the mess around the garages near the XL

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Big Ten has nothing to do with any NHL team coming to Hartford. Hartford is a better hockey market than many others, despite its size. It also has a great brand in the Whalers, who are always in the top ten in merchandise sales among NHL teams, despite not even existing any more. It's a balance of the arena, a downtown that needs revitalization and entertainment options (as well as more residential) vs other markets. KC is a terrible hockey market and OKC would be as well.

 

[Atross]

The Big Ten has nothing to do with any NHL team coming to Hartford. Hartford is a better hockey market than many others, despite its size. It also has a great brand in the Whalers, who are always in the top ten in merchandise sales among NHL teams, despite not even existing any more. It's a balance of the arena, a downtown that needs revitalization and entertainment options (as well as more residential) vs other markets. KC is a terrible hockey market and OKC would be as well.

This is why I'm talking about parking. First of all there has to be proof that people want to be in Hartford. How do you revitalize when as has been said the suburban market really doesn't want to go into the city and the workforce leaves to go back to the bedroom communities surrounding Hartford? There needs to be an incentive. Granted parking is cheaper than New York or Boston but what is there to do in Hartford that can't be done in West Hartford, Avon, or Middletown where parking is free? Yes parking is a private enterprise and the rates are $10 or so but that's still $10 that would still be in my pocket elsewhere. Circling to find the free parking can be a hassle. Yeah we have all these studies about what to do but are people really inclined to go into Hartford on the weekend or for that matter during the week on a cold February night?

 

[Husky25]

Granted parking is cheaper than New York or Boston but what is there to do in Hartford that can't be done in West Hartford, Avon, or Middletown where parking is free?

Top 10 Division 1 college basketball. That's the whole point. Parking is a part of the cost. Wanna reduce the cost? car-pool. Take a bus. There are a ton of Park & Rides that are free. There's a ton to b1tch about vis a vie the Xl Center (Over priced concessions, terrible environment, no discernible home court advantage) Parking is not one of them.

By the way, Public Parking is not free in Middletown or West Hartford until after 6 and only on the street.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Why does he point to the B1G for hockey? Isn't Hockey East the better conference and if nothing else wouldn't it draw better given the proximity of our opponents? That alone makes me question his theory.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This is why I'm talking about parking. First of all there has to be proof that people want to be in Hartford. How do you revitalize when as has been said the suburban market really doesn't want to go into the city and the workforce leaves to go back to the bedroom communities surrounding Hartford? There needs to be an incentive. Granted parking is cheaper than New York or Boston but what is there to do in Hartford that can't be done in West Hartford, Avon, or Middletown where parking is free? Yes parking is a private enterprise and the rates are $10 or so but that's still $10 that would still be in my pocket elsewhere. Circling to find the free parking can be a hassle. Yeah we have all these studies about what to do but are people really inclined to go into Hartford on the weekend or for that matter during the week on a cold February night?

It's been like that for as long as I can remember. Hartford has been screwed by a few historic quirks. One of them is the extremely small size of the city itself. Another is I-91 screwing up the riverfront and I-84 splitting off the north-end. Next, U-Hart sits on the Bloomfield border, and Trinity on the southern border (or thereabouts). Both are too far from downtown to walk. Added to that, there is no public transit beyond buses, and people hate buses.

If given enough money and zoning power, I think the city would be best served by running quick light rail to both UHart and Trinity, connecting at Union Station. Run the line through Bushnell Park and include a stop at the Bushnell, Hartford Hospital and Trinity. Then run a line past the UConn law school and up to U Hartford. The goal needs to be to drive young people to want to live in Hartford. People drive bars, restaurants and theaters.

 

[ZooCougar]

Could we put the new arena near the Rent? Other cities have these big Commercial-Entertainment areas, such as the one in KC that has the Legends Outdoor Mall, Sporting KC (MLS) arena, NASCAR, Cabela's, Nebraska Furniture Mart etc..

 

[ZooCougar]

I think the whole premise of B1G and NHL just links two relatively unattainable objectives.

 

[Husky25]

I think the whole premise of B1G and NHL just links two relatively unattainable objectives.

UConn is light years closer to a Big Ten invite than the NHL is from returning to Hartford. But to blame parking is simply ludicrous.

 

[WestHartHusk]

This is why I'm talking about parking. First of all there has to be proof that people want to be in Hartford. How do you revitalize when as has been said the suburban market really doesn't want to go into the city and the workforce leaves to go back to the bedroom communities surrounding Hartford? There needs to be an incentive. Granted parking is cheaper than New York or Boston but what is there to do in Hartford that can't be done in West Hartford, Avon, or Middletown where parking is free? Yes parking is a private enterprise and the rates are $10 or so but that's still $10 that would still be in my pocket elsewhere. Circling to find the free parking can be a hassle. Yeah we have all these studies about what to do but are people really inclined to go into Hartford on the weekend or for that matter during the week on a cold February night?

I think you are really pushing against the tide if you think parking is going to get cheaper. In fact, I suspect that parking prices will continue to rise as this current generation moves backs into cities and reclaims the neighborhoods that were destroyed for cheap parking and convenient car access. This is why projects like the new high-speed rail between New Haven - Springfield along with the CT Fast Track are going to be vital going forward, and the opposition to them is so short-sited.

But to take your comment head-on, there is a ton of proof that people want to be in Hartford. The very prices you reference are the proof that people do want to go out in Hartford - if there was no demand the price would be significantly lower. Also, the fact that Hartford apartment occupancy is at 97% is further proof that people want to be in Hartford. And the thousands of apartments that are proposed and/or underway in downtown alone are further proof. Just off the top my my head, these are the projects that are underway: the Front Street Apartments site is currently being remediated and funding is secured for construction; the Clarion Hotel conversion is funded and underway; Colt Apartments are doubling in size with construction underway; 110/120 Pearl (or something like that) has purchased two buildings on the corner of Trumbull with conversion plans being drawn up; The Professional building above Black Bear is being converted entirely to apartments and construction is underway; the Masonic Building above Tavern is underway for conversion; and the Bank of America conversion (a few hundred apartments alone) is ready to begin once the IRS clarifies a NJ court decision. That list doesn't include any of the other proposals for in and around downtown like new apartment buildings alongside Bushnell Park and just over the I-84 bridge and at the corner of Main & Asylum.

 

[ZooCougar]

UConn is light years closer to a Big Ten invite than the NHL is from returning to Hartford. But to blame parking is simply ludicrous.

We're like 10 light years from the B1G and maybe 100 from the NHL.

I have this feeling that conferences are worried about being too big. Many of the mid range schools are going to find that they sacrificed exposure for money. Less exposure can be mitigated by money but I think in some cases it will hamper growth on a school by school basis.

I think this could suppress the appetite for expansion.

At the end of the day, all UConn can do is keep building and make itself too good to ignore.

 

[Waquoit]

I don't know much about this Richard Gordon, but is he quack? Sounds like such an odd thing to say, than his rationale of approaching the NHL was even odder. Can someone enlighten me on how what he is saying begins to make sense?

He killed the Whalers more than any other one person.

 

[UConn Dan]

We're like 10 light years from the B1G and maybe 100 from the NHL.

I have this feeling that conferences are worried about being too big. Many of the mid range schools are going to find that they sacrificed exposure for money. Less exposure can be mitigated by money but I think in some cases it will hamper growth on a school by school basis.

I think this could suppress the appetite for expansion.

At the end of the day, all UConn can do is keep building and make itself too good to ignore.

If no appetite for expansion... let's bring the appetite for destruction! Because you're in the jungle baby and it's 3rd down!

 

[Waquoit]

This is why I'm talking about parking.

Madness. I don't understand some folks obsession for free parking. The only free parking for a sporting event anywhere is at a casino. It's an extra 100 miles round trip but parking is free.

 

[Waquoit]

but what is there to do in Hartford that can't be done in West Hartford, Avon, or Middletown where parking is free?

Besides sports, concerts, museums, shows and theater?

 

[FAIRTIDES]

Actually, the NHL is a success in LA and has been since the '60s. Your first three are correct, though. Add in Columbus, too.

Success came when they traded for Gretzky.

Jack Kent Cook, the original owner and Canadian expat, thought the team would be immediately successful because of the large number of Canadians that had migrated to the LA area. He later noted that, "he now realized that a great number of LA based Canadians had left Canada to escape hockey."

 

[Road Dog]

No, Bettman is going to move every NHL team South of the Mason Dixon line because hockey has been such a success in Atlanta, Florida, Phoenix, LA, etc...

You realize that the LA Kings have had a long sting of sellouts and won the Stanley Cup recently, right? The Whalers left CT because of LACK of support.

 

[Whale22]

Lets see...Rangers, Spartans, Oilers, Boilermakers, Cornhuskers, Canadiens, Canucks, Red Wings, Golden Gophers, Bruins, Black Bears, Blackhawks, Hawkeyes, Badgers, Penguins, Terriers, Terapins, Wolverines, Purple Wildcats, Blue Wildcats and even a couple half bread Irish Friars all coming to Hartford in one year. Yea, I think the B1G, NHL and Hockey East would feed off each other and put Hartford back on the map. Man that would be great!

You sound like my brother who just can't let the dream go. Oh wait....

 

[FrostyNuggets]

Don't forget about Ed Johnston. All he could net in return for trading one of the best players in NHL history (not to mention an excellent defenseman and a decent depth defenseman) was an undersized center who couldn't stand on his skates and a defenseman who couldn't play a lick of defense (or hit the net). I'll give him a pass for Jeff Parker since he was concussed in his first game at Landover, Md and never returned to his ability (which was fairly limited to begin with anyway).

EJ/Rick Ley/Richard Gordon. Rot in hell, all of em.

While I'm at it, Perre McGuire can rot in hell too. I gave him ration of shi!t in the Marriott Long Wharf a couple years ago for his role in the compensation for Steven Rice. He had no idea what hit him.

Merry Christmas Boneyard!

 

[DarthGrumpy]

You realize that the LA Kings have had a long sting of sellouts and won the Stanley Cup recently, right? The Whalers left CT because of LACK of support.

LA’s attendance will be fine as long as their team is good and popular, just like any LA sports team.
http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph.php?tmi=6664
Hartford’s attendance would be good, too, if their ownership had invested enough to play in the Stanley Cup. Instead, the Whaler’s had incompetence followed by a guy (Karmano, who had the nerve to re-name an OHL team in Michigan the Whalers after the move to Carolina) who had no intention on keeping the team in Hartford from the start. How else can you explain during their ‘make or break year’ when Karmanos announced that 11,000 season tickets had to be sold or the team would be moved that ownership only offered full-season ticket package instead of 5, 10, 15 games packages, which were popular and economical (my family had a 10 game package for years)?