Winnipeg Was The Only Option
Posted 12:25 AM ET | Comments 7
Last year, when rumours were rampant that the Thrashers would be leaving Atlanta, the majority of analysts believed that the team would be moved to one of two markets; Quebec or Winnipeg. The other possibility was a third Ontario team to be located in Hamilton. It is interesting to note that there were no US cities or states mentioned as possible new homes.
In my view, Winnipeg was the only option. That is not to say that Quebec or Hamilton wouldn't be successful. Winnipeg has a very large, loyal fan base. That was evident when the announcement was made that the Jets would be back. As someone who has spent time in Winnipeg, and has seen many hockey games there, I know that even when the Jets left, fans still flocked to watch the Manitoba Moose. The Moose provided a continuum of hockey in Winnipeg. I believe that is one significant reason the Jets were able to return.
There are two ways to view the return of the Jets; positive and negative. For Winnipeg fans, an explosion of energy has surged in the province of Manitoba. One concern would be whether Wiinpeg can sustain the market for the Jets to not leave again. I think the Jets are home for good. For the Moose; they have found a new a new home in St. John's. That will be a true test to see if St. John's can be a future NHL expansion city. I guess the only negative viewpoint would be from the Vancouver Canucks. The Moose were their AHL affiliate. The Canucks now have an agreement with the Chicago Wolves. Chicago is a lot further from Vancouver than Winnipeg was.
Welcome Back Winnipeg Jets!
***I can't provide any rumours for the Jets as I have no sources there, but I do have sources in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and Florida. If anyone is ineterested in knowing anything from these markets, let me know.***
In my view, Winnipeg was the only option. That is not to say that Quebec or Hamilton wouldn't be successful. Winnipeg has a very large, loyal fan base. That was evident when the announcement was made that the Jets would be back. As someone who has spent time in Winnipeg, and has seen many hockey games there, I know that even when the Jets left, fans still flocked to watch the Manitoba Moose. The Moose provided a continuum of hockey in Winnipeg. I believe that is one significant reason the Jets were able to return.
There are two ways to view the return of the Jets; positive and negative. For Winnipeg fans, an explosion of energy has surged in the province of Manitoba. One concern would be whether Wiinpeg can sustain the market for the Jets to not leave again. I think the Jets are home for good. For the Moose; they have found a new a new home in St. John's. That will be a true test to see if St. John's can be a future NHL expansion city. I guess the only negative viewpoint would be from the Vancouver Canucks. The Moose were their AHL affiliate. The Canucks now have an agreement with the Chicago Wolves. Chicago is a lot further from Vancouver than Winnipeg was.
Welcome Back Winnipeg Jets!
***I can't provide any rumours for the Jets as I have no sources there, but I do have sources in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and Florida. If anyone is ineterested in knowing anything from these markets, let me know.***
Nobody seriously considered Quebec as an option because they don't have an arena. That's not to say that they won't get a team eventually as they'll have a new arena in place by 2015, but there was no chance the Thrashers would have ended up there this season. So, indeed, Winnipeg was the only option, especially given their patient persistence over the past several years.
Also, I don't see St. John's ever being considered a viable NHL market. The metro population is well below 200,000. I have a hard time believing the East Coast as a whole could support a team.
Kansas City and Seattle have expressed interest in the NHL
would be great to get a team in seattle. A rivalry like that could build quite well with vancouver (be like the calgary/edmonton rivalry possibly because of proximity)
Saskatoon or Regina would get an NHL team before St. John's.
hartford
I do not believe that there will ever be a team in between Buffalo and Toronto, the NHL just wont ever let it happen, there are at least 10 other sites that will receive a team before Hamilton, sorry.