Quote:
Originally Posted by gilpel
Two to three years from now Quebec ansd Winnipeg will be back in the NHL...
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What color is the sky in your world?
As much as I'd love to see Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, and Quebec City get NHL franchises, we all know that its just a pipe dream. I mean seriously, Bettman certainly picked his fight in Phoenix. He's basically set the stage to what ever is going to happen the next time a new owner comes in wanting to move a franchise. So, as much as it doesn't belong, and they lose money, teams are going to stay in places like Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami, and Phoenix for the foreseeable future.
Expansion? Kansas City is top on the expansion radar, Las Vegas is next. After that, there are other American markets that could potentially support a successful NHL franchise that haven't been tapped into. Albany, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Salt Lake City come to mind. I'm almost willing to bet that there would probably be a team in Tijuana or San Juan before the NHL seriously considers another Canadian expansion team.
I think, in light of the recent Balsillie/Phoenix Coyotes debacle, we're all just being patronized by the league right now. Bettman is trying to come off as the good guy by saying any Canadian market would be good for the NHL. I mean, lets face it, if we were going to get another team, it would've happened by now.
So, all things considered, Quebec and Winnipeg will get their teams eventually. Just not in the next 2 or 3 years.