ref trying to be the hero

Nothing is set in stone yet. But I don't get Basille, he had two chances prior to this. Everytime he got shafted cause he insisted on moving the team to Ontario. Why doesn't he just buy the team first deal w/ the logistics later!

Because then the NHL will come down on him full force and fuck him up. Seriously. Bettman is that kind of asshole.

I don't think Bettman will let him move the team but mind you the NHL is basically running the team right now so I'm pretty sure they want to sell the team as fast as possible. The other thing is Bettman has a hard on to expand to other US cities even though the cities bidding for a team will go down the same route Phoenix went down.

Gary Bettman works for the owners and should think like a businessman. Unfortunately, he has let ego get in the way and rebuffed Balsillie twice.

Southern Ontario is the biggest hockey market in the world. There is probably enough cash and interest to support three pro hockey teams in the region. Any sane businessman would allow a franchise in that region because of the money to be made there. The Canadian franchises and maybe a few US ones (NY Rangers, Chicago, Detroit, Boston) prop up the rest of the league. I don't see how the owners could oppose a move of Phoenix to the area because it ensures them of extra revenue.

i dont want to state the obvious but i dont get it the market down there realli sucks for hockey
\bettman can harsh make good money in canada

?? im confused

Hiller is young and good. He definitely can become an allstar goaltender

the thing is...its not int he best interest of basillie to buy the team and move it later
becuz the team will 95% lose just as mucha s this year

It's all about TV revenue and expanding the NHL brand in the US. I don't blame Bettman for doing what he's doing but he needs to face up to the fact that there isn't much of a hockey market in US cities that don't currently have a NHL team. The only two cities that I would put on the list of maybe having a successful team is Seattle or Spokane.

Bettman has never supported the Canadian markets because he knows he'll get business their no matter what. What he really wants that will make him blow his wad is to make hockey grow in America.

This guy probably just hates Canada. Fuck him.

Bettman was asked by Ron Mclean earlier this year about why Winnipeg doesn't get a team because they have the arena and they have the owners with the cash to bring a team in. He basically said the NHL other plans to expand to "other" cities before they can think about giving Winnipeg a team. Other cities like Kansas and Vegas? Please.

Fuck, I missed out the game.. got home from school and literally passed out =(

Glad we won though! =)

Tough shit buddy. I didn't see a goal disallowed in game 1 when Hiller got bowled over. Or how the Wings got lucky with that 5 minute major to Brown. Or how in game 3 tonight Wisneiwski got a fat elbow to the head and yet, no call. There have been a ton of noncalls going the Red Wings way.

That being said, Jonas Hiller has had his "Beast Mode" switch stuck on since game 1 vs San Jose. Easily the MVP so far.

i'd rather play redwings than ducks

OTOH, moving a team there gives the NHL no money whereas expanding there gives them prime time moolah. Blackberry man should write up his plans for an arena in kitchener and get it approved before trying to get an expansion franchise there.

:haha::haha::haha:

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0pics/chp5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0pics/ch22.jpg

Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Flashbacks of Minnesota Wild in 2003 when we're up 3-1.

So Pierre Mcgurie is interviewing for the Wild GM job!!

Did anyone see Wisniewski's injury? shot to the lungs...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=421628 I have yet to see any highlights or anything but I heard he was coughing out some blood.... hope he's ok...

trooper, he tried staying in the play too. tough beans.

detroit totally got screwed :lol

Bettman's dream of expanding hockey into the deep south and getting prime-time contracts hasn't happened in the last 15+ years and it never will. Hockey is a niche sport and the people running the league should understand this.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (the parent company of the Leafs) is one of the most successful sports-related businesses in North America, in spite of the fact that they have a mediocre product. There is an appetite for another team in the GTA and there is definitely money to be made. The league works on a revenue-sharing formula and basically, the Canadian franchises and a handful of American ones prop the likes of the sunbelt teams like Florida, Tampa Bay, Nashville, Atlanta, etc.

I'm not going to be silly and say that we should bring back the Nordiques or Jets. I'm looking at this from a business perspective and IMHO, it makes the most sense to bring a second team to the GTA.

Stupid thing is, most people have no idea exactly what "the trap" is, or that it was originally conceived and designed as an OFFENSIVE play. People see the whole team being strong defensively and they automatically pipe up with, "look, they're trapping! It sucks!"

:rolleyes:

i hope he continues to lose money in the US market