NHL Team/Franchise Discussion Thread

[philou21]

Moving Detroit out of the West doesn't seem a good idea to me either. That will make too much good team in the East and in the west a team who sucks will be able to qualify more easier without them around.

[YZG]

Yeah, the NHL is poorly balanced geographically-wise. If you draw a line in the middle of the continent, there's only 9 teams that fall on the West side of the line and those around the middle are usually closer to the East than West. A franchise back in Winnipeg and (why not) one in Seattle would add a bit of balance. One in Vegas too, but if the NHL establishes there, then Bettman is a bigger dimwit than what he's shown so far - and he's pretty much shown no flashes of brilliance over his annoyingly long tenure. Even pushing into Europe would be wiser that Vegas, even if I strongly believe it's bound to be a bigger failure than the 'Yotes.

- YZG

[philou21]

We should maybe calling this the Thrashers files or bankruptcy too. The Globe and Mail reported that the transaction of some kind of group that spotted the Thrashers to get them back to Winnipeg was done and that Bettman will announce this in a couple of days. I don't know what to think about that, if it's finally true or not but it will be awesome to have a Canadian team back, finally!!



Go to hell Bettman

[Qikdraw]

We should maybe calling this the Thrashers files or bankruptcy too. The Globe and Mail reported that the transaction of some kind of group that spotted the Thrashers to get them back to Winnipeg was done and that Bettman will announce this in a couple of days. I don't know what to think about that, if it's finally true or not but it will be awesome to have a Canadian team back, finally!!

Link for the lazy...

I'm going to stay skeptical until it really is announced and done. Although to be honest I am pretty excited about it. But, I am still trying to be calm and rational about it, cause I simply don't trust Bettman.

The one thing being talked about here is what would a team name be? Some have suggested that it would be named after Manitoba, and some even suggesting the team would be the Manitoba Moose . I'm not liking using Manitoba, I prefer Winnipeg personally. Other people have said we could go back in time a bit and use the Falcons or the Victorias. I actually do like the Winnipeg Falcons name. I could live with that. I doubt we'll be going back to using the Jets name. If they use the Moose, I'm not gonna be happy. I may even have to write a stern letter to someone...

So I suppose we'll have to wait till tuesday...

*edit - Thrashers sale report 'not accurate' apparently, but it does sound like a deal is close. The one bit on this article that annoys me is this bit: 'The NHL’s board of governors will not approve a deal to move the franchise to Winnipeg until a test market ticket drive is completed and they are satisfied the market is viable according to a source involved in the negotiations.'. Really? You're going to run a ticket drive and stir up even more excitement in Wpg about getting a team, then potentially turn around and say no, not enough support? Yeah I don't think so. I think the NHL knows full well Wpg is a hockey town, our economy is better than many cities with viable NHL teams, the CDN dollar is at par or better, and I hardly think True North would come in with an offer without a ticket sales expectation report anyway. Everything points to Wpg being a very good contender for an NHL team and I think the board of governors knows this.

Anyway, I'll go back into my little box and wait and see whats going to happen...

[JakeTheSnake]

Naming a hockey 'the Victorias' would be a really funny decision. If i was a hockey player and a GM called me to ask, if i would be 'interested to become a Victoria?', my initial reaction would probably be to soil myself for laughing so hard.

'The Falcons' or 'the Jets' would be great! Personally i lean toward the Jets, but that might be just the nostalgic in me speaking. Some of my strongest memories of watching NHL hockey as a kid includes watching Selänne ripping the opponents defence apart wearing a Jets jersey. And shooting his glove with his stick after scoring. Watching the video on youtube still makes me all warm and gooey inside.

[McQwak]

Now they wrote about it even on NHL.com

[Qikdraw]

Naming a hockey 'the Victorias' would be a really funny decision. If i was a hockey player and a GM called me to ask, if i would be 'interested to become a Victoria?', my initial reaction would probably be to soil myself for laughing so hard.

True, which is why I like the Falcons better.

'The Falcons' or 'the Jets' would be great! Personally i lean toward the Jets, but that might be just the nostalgic in me speaking. Some of my strongest memories of watching NHL hockey as a kid includes watching Selänne ripping the opponents defence apart wearing a Jets jersey. And shooting his glove with his stick after scoring. Watching the video on youtube still makes me all warm and gooey inside.

I'm partial to the Jets myself, but I do think the name properly belongs to the Phoenix history, not a team coming into Wpg.

I remember that rookie season, he was amazing. Selanne is probably my favourite player. I have a sealed VHS tape of his rookie season the Jets released. In the 9 years I lived in California I should have gone to a game or something to get him to sign it, but I never did. Now that I am back in Wpg its not going to be likely.

I would also love a former Jet to be part of the new organization somewhere.

Another link about Peggers going crazy. Portage and Main are where our two main streets meet as well. Right downtown. Also Neil Young wrote about it, 'Portage and Main, 50 below' are the lyrics to 'Prairie Town' if I remember correctly.

[philou21]

I'm partial to the Jets myself, but I do think the name properly belongs to the Phoenix history, not a team coming into Wpg.

Well I never thought about that, good point. But they should "buy back" the Jets name for this team. I can't imagine a team at Winnipeg without the Jets name. Falcons is kinda ok but sounds to much like a football team.

That make me think about a futur team at Qc.....the Nordiques name is part of the Colorado history too but I'm sure they will be able to take back the name. As for Wpg, a team at Quebec City without the Nords name is impossible in my head, that name is perfect for a team there.

[Qikdraw]

I'm partial to the Jets myself, but I do think the name properly belongs to the Phoenix history, not a team coming into Wpg.

Well I never thought about that, good point. But they should "buy back" the Jets name for this team. I can't imagine a team at Winnipeg without the Jets name. Falcons is kinda ok but sounds to much like a football team.

That make me think about a futur team at Qc.....the Nordiques name is part of the Colorado history too but I'm sure they will be able to take back the name. As for Wpg, a team at Quebec City without the Nords name is impossible in my head, that name is perfect for a team there.

How about the Winnipeg Nordiques? Then we can have two cities rooting for them.

[philou21]

Mmmmm well yeah good idea.

[YZG]

I agree with Phil. Beyond the fact that a name belongs to a franchise, I think that a name first belongs to a city and its fans. We're all biased and nostalgic here, but I really think a team in Winnipeg can hardly have any other name than Jets and can hardly dress in any other colour than blue, red and white; same for Quebec and Nordiques. I'd actually really like the Whalers back, too. The league could use more green uniforms.

Though nothing is done 'til it's done, I really enjoy seeing how serious the transfer of the Thrashers to Winnipeg seem to be. And, they can continue the Jets' tradition, as the Thrashers are rather lovable losers I would think

- YZG

[philou21]

The "Nordiques" name is so...typically Canadian. It was meant to be in Quebec.

[Deleted 25-08-19]

Motivated by Jets, i done Jets over Atlanta database. Jets dont have players or staff, so u have to build ur franchise all the way from bottom.. Chairman is... tadaaaa BOBBY ORR

Includes Jets DB v.0.9 + Jets logo.
I will add this to download section later
http://www.gamefront.com/files/20351004 ... g+Jets.zip

[philou21]

The deal is supposed to be sign now.

[Qikdraw]

The deal is supposed to be sign now.

Thats not what Bettman is saying... http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2 ... shers.html

"Nobody's announced anything and frankly if there is something going on, nothing is going to happen until it actually happens, which means it may not happen," he said on WDAE Wednesday morning.

"So I think people need to take a deep breath and pause. There are probably half a dozen places in North America that are interested in NHL hockey. We try to avoid relocation to the extent we can . . . We only move clubs if we find we have no alternative."

There are soooo many people saying the deal is done and done, but until there is an official announcement I am not going to pin hopes on it. I do think its going to happen, and probably soon, but I'm not going to cheer until they've officially announced it.

[philou21]

I said "supposed" for a reason. Dump Buttman, I hate him even more when he says he wants to avoid moving a team!!!


From my source the NHL as supposely asked Winnipeg an amount of 40 millions as a "relocated taxe" or something like this, I can't translated it in english.

[Qikdraw]

I said "supposed" for a reason. Dump Buttman, I hate him even more when he says he wants to avoid moving a team!!!

I'm right there with ya.

From my source the NHL as supposely asked Winnipeg an amount of 40 millions as a "relocated taxe" or something like this, I can't translated it in english.

Well True North's bid was supposedly 60 mill to the NHL and 110 mill to the owners. But I heard that both the NHL and the owners wanted more money out of that bid. But I don't know. As I said, I'll start believing more stuff when it's officially announced. Till then I'm treating it all as highly suspect rumours.

[philou21]

At first the NHL was asking for 60 millions but after some negociations they accepted to drop to 40 millions......It's kinda weird though, a 20 millions drop is HUGE. I wonder if the NHL wanted 60 millions to cover up the debt of Phoenix.

[Qikdraw]

At first the NHL was asking for 60 millions but after some negociations they accepted to drop to 40 millions......It's kinda weird though, a 20 millions drop is HUGE. I wonder if the NHL wanted 60 millions to cover up the debt of Phoenix.

That is huge. I donno why they would do that.

Well I doubt there is going to be an announcement tomorrow, maybe the weekend.

[racicot]

lol to those who want the Winnipeg Falcons. First Winnipeg steals their hockey team, then it steals their football team's name.

Double whammy

[JakeTheSnake]

lol to those who want the Winnipeg Falcons. First Winnipeg steals their hockey team, then it steals their football team's name.

Double whammy

I'm still surprised that they're even considering any other name than the Jets.

[Qikdraw]

So Bettman on his radio show last night... (who listens to that??)

"Maybe at some point there will be a deal, maybe there will never be a deal," Bettman said during the "NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman." on NHL Radio. "But there isn't one now."

"If the team gets sold, and if the team gets moved, then there will be a press conference," he said. "If you keep saying it enough, you might ultimately be right. But the level of accountability, in terms of the willingness to just put anything out there in terms of a news story, is really just ridiculous."

About what I figured. I'm not mad at Bettman for the way he has handled this, I think he has been largely right in the way the NHL is going about the Thrasher sale. There is no reason to get fans on both sides riled up. If he said the Thrashers were going to Wpg and then nothing came from the deal he'd be even more hated. So while I don't like Bettman, and I'm not happy with the way he's handled the Phoenix situation, I think he's playing this one a lot smarter.

We'll see when we see.

[Qikdraw]

NHL team on way to Winnipeg

Excitement is building in Winnipeg as time winds down to a press conference at 11 a.m. CT in Winnipeg to announce a deal to move the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers to the Manitoba capital.

CBC News has learned the deal has been completed, pending NHL board of governors approval.

Fans were already gathering at the city's famous intersection of Portage and Main to celebrate at 10 a.m. as national media and dignitaries descended on the city.

David Thomson, a potential co-owner of the team, travelled to Winnipeg from Toronto on Tuesday morning and True North Sports and Entertainment is hosting the media conference at the MTS Centre.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly are also in the city for the announcement.

Still before 11am, so I'm still waiting until the announcement, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited.

[philou21]

[racicot]

Done deal. Looks like I'm gonna have to dig out NHL 94 for SNES in eager anticipation

On the other hand, I really feel bad for Atlanta. They really got their team snatched away before they had time to say goodbye. Phoenix had the writing on the wall, and the fans came out and paid their final respects. Atlanta went into the last regular season game with the expectation that there would be many seasons to come. From out of nowhere, this story materialized in May and now they are gone. Kind of sad.