NHL Should Welcome Balsillie With Open Arms
So what’s the NHL going to do now with the Pittsburgh Penguins now that a deal to build a $290-million new arena as part of a casino operation has been rejected by Pennsylvania’s regulatory authorities? If they’re smart - and there is no indication anyone within the NHL has much vision other than desperately trying to force the game to become more popular in the U.S. - they would encourage Mario Lemeiux to come back to the table with RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie. Balsillie is passionate about hockey, he’s high-profile, well-respected and he’s got money (unlike some of the other owners admitted into the NHL in the past such as John Spano and Bruce McNall).
If Balsillie wants to move the team because it doesn’t make sense economically to keep it in Pittsburgh, that’s would be his prerogative. Given the NHL is struggling in Phoenix, St. Louis, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Florida, how can the NHL be down on the idea of the Penguins moving to Kitchener-Waterloo or Hamilton or Winnipeg or Quebec City? I mean, does the NHL really believe the people of Kansas City are going to embrace the Penguins (can anyone remember how long the Kansas City Scouts lasted?). Come on, Mario, give Jim a call and let’s make a deal. Who knows, he may even throw in a Blackberry Pearl.
December 21st, 2006 at 9:41 am
Actually, The Globe And Mail has a quote from Bill Daly where he says the following:
“When asked if “possible relocation” included Canadian cities, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly replied: “Yes, it includes Canada.”
I think that translates to something the along the lines of “Please Jim, come back and buy this team. PLEASE!”
The link to the story is below:
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061220.wsptpens20/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home
December 21st, 2006 at 11:33 am
Wouldn’t the Ottawa Senators and/or Toronto Maple Leafs have a veto about a team in Hamilton since it would play in the same market?
My bet for a Canadian city would be Winnipeg first (they got an arena ready).
Maybe Quebec, but the mayor doesn’t seem that interested in a new arena for an NHL team.
December 21st, 2006 at 11:36 am
The Leafs would likely demand some kind of compensation for a team to be put in Hamilton but this kind of payment wouldn’t be necessary if the team is moved to Kitchener-Waterloo.
December 21st, 2006 at 12:14 pm
I think they should still consider the T-dot/Hamilton area… Maybe the Mississauga Mighty Mouse. Ok, enough with the Mighty. Even if TML wanted to do some kind of revenue sharing gig, I think there is MORE THAN ENOUGH support in the region to have two teams there. In any case, the next TWO NHL relocations should be in Canada. It would only be better for the game.
Our economy is doing better and while I’m sure Winnipeg would love to have a team as well, I think the Toronto area is best suited for the next team.
December 21st, 2006 at 2:19 pm
The NHL has this concept called a “trading area” where a team has semi-exclusive rights in a certain geographical area where they can operate (in terms of broadcast rights and the like). I think that Jimmy boy will have to pay up whether he moves the team to K-W or to Hamilton. In fact, he’d perhaps have to pay off the Sabers as well as they’d argue that he’s cutting into their trading area. (they get a huge number of Toronto fans coming down the QEW to see leaf games, not to mention Montreal fans too)
December 21st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Oh, I don’t think the K-W thing would fly because they don’t have a rink. Copps in Hamilton however needs some renovations done, but at least it’s a rink that could support an NHL team.
December 21st, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Please don’t bring the NHL back to Winnipeg. We’re getting along very well with the Manitoba Moose.