Around the NHL 2017/2018

[Rich]

2 minutes ago, The Unknown Poster said:

He can only sell to an NHL-approved owner.  So it wouldnt matter if a relocation option offered him a billion dollars, its up to the NHL.  The Hurricanes have operational control of the arena, but I believe its not owned by the team.

In Atlanta, the Thrashers owners had the NHL over a barrel because they DID own the arena so any prospective team owners in Atlanta would have to negotiate with them to play there.  Since the Thrashers owners didnt want hockey at their arena and their lacked a suitable alternative, the NHL had little option but to consider relocation.

I doubt the NHL will be so easily moved on the Hurricanes.  They will try to find a local owner, pressure local government to assist etc. before considering relocation.  But Quebec would be a soft landing spot.  The NHL would rather get a half billion expansion fee before relocating for a fraction of that though.

Not so easy to find an owner to buy a team whose average attendance looks like this:

2016/2017 - 11,776 (63% capacity) and dead last in the NHL

2015/2016 - 10,102 (65.6% capacity - no idea why this number is higher) and dead last in the NHL

2014/2015 - 12,594 (67.4% capacity) and dead last in the NHL

Prior to this year their attendance ranged anywhere around 15k - 17.  So why the sudden drop?    In 2014 / 2015 they raised ticket prices by 28%.    And consequently saw a ~30% decline in attendance.  So even when they were getting decent attendance numbers, it was because they were dumping their product at cheap prices.  

Carolina is one of those cities where attendance will suck if the team is bad.  And they've been bad for a long time.    Haven't been a playoff team since 2008/2009.   

Who wants to buy that?

[The Unknown Poster]

6 minutes ago, Rich said:

Not so easy to find an owner to buy a team whose average attendance looks like this:

2016/2017 - 11,776 (63% capacity) and dead last in the NHL

2015/2016 - 10,102 (65.6% capacity - no idea why this number is higher) and dead last in the NHL

2014/2015 - 12,594 (67.4% capacity) and dead last in the NHL

Prior to this year their attendance ranged anywhere around 15k - 17.  So why the sudden drop?    In 2014 / 2015 they raised ticket prices by 28%.    And consequently saw a ~30% decline in attendance.  So even when they were getting decent attendance numbers, it was because they were dumping their product at cheap prices.  

Carolina is one of those cities where attendance will suck if the team is bad.  And they've been bad for a long time.    Haven't been a playoff team since 2008/2009.   

Who wants to buy that?

We asked the same thing about the Coyotes.  And they found an owner (a couple of times).  The NHL felt more invested in that fight because they pushed for the taxpayer-funded arena, PLUS, it became a battle over who had the right to decide - the NHL or the team owner - so the NHL had a point to make.

Im only saying, the NHL will look long and hard for an owner willing to keep the team in Carolina before allowing relocation.  And if its relocation it will be to someone the NHL wants, not whomever pays the Hurricanes the most.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

NHL wants to keep them there...sure but 4th largest city in America? Houston should have had team long time ago IMHO but u need someone who wants a team first and foremost.

Edited October 12, 2017 by FrostyWinnipeg

[iHeart]

I don't know why but people are taking issue with fishinggate, all because Buff and Hendricks caught a huge fish when they are on IR

http://www.tsn.ca/maurice-no-issue-with-byfuglien-fishing-1.882679

yes this has concerned me a little too, but hey they're having a little bonding time since they're on IR what's the issue....maybe we won't see Buff in the lineup for a long time because he now has the same type of injury as Myers had last season

 

[SPuDS]

4 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

How does a team give up a SHG on a 5v3 PP...?

and it was the game winner no less.

[Brandon]

I miss the Brass Bonanza

[FrostyWinnipeg]

3 hours ago, Brandon said:

I miss the Brass Bonanza

I miss Bonanza restaurant.

[Floyd]

Dreger talking about Auston Matthews getting $13-13.5 mill a year...  nuts.

 

[bustamente]

8 hours ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

NHL wants to keep them there...sure but 4th largest city in America? Houston should have had team long time ago IMHO but u need someone who wants a team first and foremost.

Former owner of the Rockets did not want a hockey franchise, team has since been sold, maybe the new owner has a different view. 

[blue_gold_84]

48 minutes ago, Floyd said:

Dreger talking about Auston Matthews getting $13-13.5 mill a year...  nuts.

 

More than McDavid...? Jee-zus.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

1 hour ago, blue_gold_84 said:

More than McDavid...? Jee-zus.

Wonder if he wants to stay in TO past 26.

[Brandon]

I hope they over pay Matthews only after we get a great deal with Laine at a lower price  

[Atomic]

13 hours ago, Floyd said:

Dreger talking about Auston Matthews getting $13-13.5 mill a year...  nuts.

That's insane.  How can anyone believe he deserves more than McDavid??  Only in Toronto.

[The Unknown Poster]

16 minutes ago, Atomic said:

That's insane.  How can anyone believe he deserves more than McDavid??  Only in Toronto.

Dreger's perspective was, its not that he'd get more if they were both free agents at the same time, but that the cam goes up so if you're star player is a certain percentage of the cap, then Matthews' salary will be higher simply based off of negotiating later with a higher cap.

[kelownabomberfan]

16 hours ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

I miss Bonanza restaurant.

I miss Bonanza the TV show.

[Jimmy Pop]

2 hours ago, Atomic said:

That's insane.  How can anyone believe he deserves more than McDavid??  Only in Toronto.

'cuz it's not about who's better. 

Dregs said the elite of the elite are looking at 16% of the team's cap for an AAV.   Don't quote me on that, but it's around there.  So given the cap's likely to up again, and McDavid signed for slightly below Dreger's threshold, boom, there's how you end up paying more for Matthews. 

the better debate is whether team's should be giving 1/6 of their cap to one guy.  Dangerous trend, IMO. 

[Atomic]

Just now, Jimmy Pop said:

'cuz it's not about who's better. 

Dregs said the elite of the elite are looking at 16% of the team's cap for an AAV.   Don't quote me on that, but it's around there.  So given the cap's likely to up again, and McDavid signed for slightly below Dreger's threshold, boom, there's how you end up paying more for Matthews. 

the better debate is whether team's should be giving 1/6 of their cap to one guy.  Dangerous trend, IMO. 

So then they are saying that Matthews is on the same level as McDavid, which is equally absurd.

[Floyd]

maybe jets are lucky to have Maurice mismanaging laine

[blue_gold_84]

Eichel sick of losing: http://www.tsn.ca/eichel-on-0-3-1-start-i-m-sick-of-losing-1.884000

I'm sure that insane contract helps him sleep well enough, though.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

2 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

Eichel sick of losing: http://www.tsn.ca/eichel-on-0-3-1-start-i-m-sick-of-losing-1.884000

I'm sure that insane contract helps him sleep well enough, though.

And his new found ability to fire the coach.

 

[iHeart]

On 10/12/2017 at 5:04 PM, FrostyWinnipeg said:

I miss Bonanza restaurant.

must have been before my time

[FrostyWinnipeg]

13 minutes ago, iHeart said:

must have been before my time

Was the 70's 80s

[kelownabomberfan]

All you could eat salad bar and soft ice cream!

[Noeller]

Brandon had a Bonanza until about 2000...was fantastic. I believe Saskatoon still does... 

[bustamente]

20 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Brandon had a Bonanza until about 2000...was fantastic. I believe Saskatoon still does... 

Right province, but in  Moose Jaw