Nordiques return? Options

[SabreFaninNYC]

The main reason Seattle never pushed for an NHL team is mainly no local ownership groups have thought to bring a team there and they would need a good home. Key Arena worked for the Thunderbirds but I don't think it would work for an NHL team. Though with the loss of the Sonics, things may change. I figure they will try to get an NBA team back first, but may look to the NHL as a backup plan.

I always thought Seattle would be a good NHL market. Do you think the NBA arena where the Sonics were could be converted effectively for ice?

[PYLrulz]

I always thought Seattle would be a good NHL market. Do you think the NBA arena where the Sonics were could be converted effectively for ice?

I believe it already can, since a WHL team plays there currently I think.

If a team did move to Seattle, a team could probably play in Key Arena for a year or two while a new arena would be built

[lafountain]

I always thought Seattle would be a good NHL market. Do you think the NBA arena where the Sonics were could be converted effectively for ice?

Key Arena is where the Sonics played, and is where the Thunderbirds played until this season. Currently the only sports team that the venue hosts is the Seattle Storm of the WNBA. The arena was renovated in the early 90's and the renovations pretty much made it a basketball arena. Hockey can be very difficult to watch in the arena at times.

From an article about Key Arena and the Thunderbirds recent move to the Showare Center.

"Key Arena was ill-suited for hockey, as the sight lines were designed for basketball and the ice surface was so far off center that the scoreboard hung over the Thunderbirds' offensive zone instead of center ice."

It could probably be renovated again, but the fact that the city would not improve the arena is one of the reasons that the Sonics are gone, if it were to guarantee a sports franchise, they would probably look into the changes.

[SabreFaninNYC]

Key Arena is where the Sonics played, and is where the Thunderbirds played until this season. Currently the only sports team that the venue hosts is the Seattle Storm of the WNBA. The arena was renovated in the early 90's and the renovations pretty much made it a basketball arena. Hockey can be very difficult to watch in the arena at times.

From an article about Key Arena and the Thunderbirds recent move to the Showare Center.

"Key Arena was ill-suited for hockey, as the sight lines were designed for basketball and the ice surface was so far off center that the scoreboard hung over the Thunderbirds' offensive zone instead of center ice."

It could probably be renovated again, but the fact that the city would not improve the arena is one of the reasons that the Sonics are gone, if it were to guarantee a sports franchise, they would probably look into the changes.

Many thanks for the insight! Its funny, I usually think of sports venues being able to support multiple sports but that stadium really seemed to be basketball specific. I don't know who is going to build a new arena (especially for hockey) in this economic environment other than Ballsillie.

[CanesCop86]

I would like Canada to get another team but i rather it be through expansion. The whole argument we need to support the teams we have now is worthless. You cant convince me that putting two more teams in a Canadian market that would sell out everynight, would be hurtful to the overall value of the league.
My ultimate desire would be for expanding the league to 32 teams with the two teams going to Canada. Then if teams need to be relocated, i prefer a suitable American market be tried if possible. On that note, I am very hopeful Phoenix keeps its team. The lease with Glendale was brutal when it was accepted and even more brutal now, it hasnt helped the Coyotes at all financially along with the horrid management decisions and coaching.

One thing i am overly sick of is the Anti-american, Canadian Entitlement to Hockey that has become the craze on TSN. Im not anti-Canadian in the least as i already wish Canada would get two more teams but like i said, Im about sick of hearing all of that junk during the whole Phoenix Debate and everytime an American Market is in financial trouble, (like everything else in the country isnt.) There is news today that the Blue Jackets are in financial trouble (Once again partly due to the lease and arena arrangements). There is already talks of the Quebec Blue Jackets and all that other crap.

I remember vaguely watching Quebec as a youngster and i vividly remember loving the Avalanche growing up. If Quebec could sustain it, i would love for them to get another team. I would really love to see that Quebec Nordiques Wolf jersey that never was.

[SabreFaninNYC]

I remember vaguely watching Quebec as a youngster and i vividly remember loving the Avalanche growing up. If Quebec could sustain it, i would love for them to get another team. I would really love to see that Quebec Nordiques Wolf jersey that never was.

If they are now bringing back the Whale, I think NHL's next step is to resurrect the Wolf!

[attila]

If they are now bringing back the Whale, I think NHL's next step is to resurrect the Wolf!

Agreed! I figure that the old baby blues would get emasculated if put onto an edge...

[PYLrulz]

I would like Canada to get another team but i rather it be through expansion. The whole argument we need to support the teams we have now is worthless. You cant convince me that putting two more teams in a Canadian market that would sell out everynight, would be hurtful to the overall value of the league.
My ultimate desire would be for expanding the league to 32 teams with the two teams going to Canada. Then if teams need to be relocated, i prefer a suitable American market be tried if possible. On that note, I am very hopeful Phoenix keeps its team. The lease with Glendale was brutal when it was accepted and even more brutal now, it hasnt helped the Coyotes at all financially along with the horrid management decisions and coaching.

One thing i am overly sick of is the Anti-american, Canadian Entitlement to Hockey that has become the craze on TSN. Im not anti-Canadian in the least as i already wish Canada would get two more teams but like i said, Im about sick of hearing all of that junk during the whole Phoenix Debate and everytime an American Market is in financial trouble, (like everything else in the country isnt.) There is news today that the Blue Jackets are in financial trouble (Once again partly due to the lease and arena arrangements). There is already talks of the Quebec Blue Jackets and all that other crap.

I remember vaguely watching Quebec as a youngster and i vividly remember loving the Avalanche growing up. If Quebec could sustain it, i would love for them to get another team. I would really love to see that Quebec Nordiques Wolf jersey that never was.

If the NHL did not have 30 teams, I could agree with you on this, but since 30 seems to be the magic number for most major sports leagues here (the NFL being the exception), and the way the NHL is right now, I would rather focus on getting franchises in good locations rather than expansion.

[SabreFaninNYC]

If the NHL did not have 30 teams, I could agree with you on this, but since 30 seems to be the magic number for most major sports leagues here (the NFL being the exception), and the way the NHL is right now, I would rather focus on getting franchises in good locations rather than expansion.

Agreed. While some (like Mirtle) might argue for a 24-26 team league, I can live with 30 but some of those 30 HAVE to be in different cities. I give the Yotes 1-2 years tops in Phoenix.

[PYLrulz]

Agreed. While some (like Mirtle) might argue for a 24-26 team league, I can live with 30 but some of those 30 HAVE to be in different cities. I give the Yotes 1-2 years tops in Phoenix.

Well, there is some cities, like Nashville and Atlanta, where they should just move them. Phoenix, I think that well is poisoned, almost like the deal with the Montreal Expos and baseball years back. Some other teams, like Tampa, and New York (Islanders) have the fan base, or could have the fan base, they just need some kind of change, especially with the Islanders case.

One thing though the NHL should do is keep some kind of presence in the South. It works in Dallas, it works in Tampa if things go well, and if a couple of other teams do well, or keep on doing well, and don't pull a Nashville (be good, and still cant draw), things will be allright for the southern teams.