- Joined
- May 24, 2006
- Messages
- 7,538
- Reaction score
- 38
I woke up the morning to hear the following: Toronto is going to get another NHL team!
Personally, I 'd like Hamilton Ontario to get an NHL team. The ticket prices are outrageous in Toronto while the team is luke warm. If the NHL placed a team close to Toronto, maybe the cost of attending a game would be more reasonable. And hopefully, the Leafs would improve and become Stanley Cup contenders once again.
Second hockey team in T.O.? Doubtful, analyst says
NHL governors are reportedly throwing around the idea of bringing a second hockey team to Toronto but one hockey analyst says it won't be happening anytime soon.
An NHL governor, who asked to remain anonymous, said his counterparts have been talking informally about adding another team alongside the Toronto Maple Leafs, The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday.
According to the source, ownership of the team could go to BlackBerry Co-CEO Jim Balsillie. In 2007, Balsillie launched a very public bid to buy the Nashville Predators, which ended unsuccessfully. In 2006, he also tried to acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Two of the governors -- at least four were interviewed in the report -- suggested the Toronto team should be created by relocating an existing franchise, rather than by making a new expansion team.
But, in an interview with CTV.ca, TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie said there's not a lot of weight to the rumours.
"The concept of a second team in Toronto is one that is talked about by a lot of people a lot of the time but there is zero traction from the NHL head office or the board of governors or the executive committee of the board of governors," McKenzie said Tuesday.
"It has never been discussed at that level and my sense is it's not likely to for a long, long time -- if ever."
But, if a second team were to be approved, McKenzie said it would definitely be successful and the Maple Leafs would get a "sweetheart deal" up front on infringement rights to compensate for any threat of lost revenue.
Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President Richard Peddie said any talk about expansion or relocation of another NHL team to Southern Ontario was purely speculative.
"If or when the National Hockey League comes to the Board of Governors with a recommendation on relocation or expansion of an NHL franchise, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment will analyze the recommendation and provide its input at that time," Peddie said in a statement issued Tuesday.
But hockey fans on the streets of Toronto welcomed the idea.
"I think it would be a fabulous idea," said one man. "I think this city could totally support two teams."
Another woman said it was a great idea "because to be quite frank the Leafs haven't done anything for our city in the last 10-plus years."
The NHL, when contacted by CTV.ca, declined comment on the report.
CTV Toronto- Second hockey team in T.O.? Doubtful, analyst says - CTV News, Shows and Sports -- Canadian Television
Personally, I 'd like Hamilton Ontario to get an NHL team. The ticket prices are outrageous in Toronto while the team is luke warm. If the NHL placed a team close to Toronto, maybe the cost of attending a game would be more reasonable. And hopefully, the Leafs would improve and become Stanley Cup contenders once again.
Second hockey team in T.O.? Doubtful, analyst says
NHL governors are reportedly throwing around the idea of bringing a second hockey team to Toronto but one hockey analyst says it won't be happening anytime soon.
An NHL governor, who asked to remain anonymous, said his counterparts have been talking informally about adding another team alongside the Toronto Maple Leafs, The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday.
According to the source, ownership of the team could go to BlackBerry Co-CEO Jim Balsillie. In 2007, Balsillie launched a very public bid to buy the Nashville Predators, which ended unsuccessfully. In 2006, he also tried to acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Two of the governors -- at least four were interviewed in the report -- suggested the Toronto team should be created by relocating an existing franchise, rather than by making a new expansion team.
But, in an interview with CTV.ca, TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie said there's not a lot of weight to the rumours.
"The concept of a second team in Toronto is one that is talked about by a lot of people a lot of the time but there is zero traction from the NHL head office or the board of governors or the executive committee of the board of governors," McKenzie said Tuesday.
"It has never been discussed at that level and my sense is it's not likely to for a long, long time -- if ever."
But, if a second team were to be approved, McKenzie said it would definitely be successful and the Maple Leafs would get a "sweetheart deal" up front on infringement rights to compensate for any threat of lost revenue.
Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President Richard Peddie said any talk about expansion or relocation of another NHL team to Southern Ontario was purely speculative.
"If or when the National Hockey League comes to the Board of Governors with a recommendation on relocation or expansion of an NHL franchise, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment will analyze the recommendation and provide its input at that time," Peddie said in a statement issued Tuesday.
But hockey fans on the streets of Toronto welcomed the idea.
"I think it would be a fabulous idea," said one man. "I think this city could totally support two teams."
Another woman said it was a great idea "because to be quite frank the Leafs haven't done anything for our city in the last 10-plus years."
The NHL, when contacted by CTV.ca, declined comment on the report.
CTV Toronto- Second hockey team in T.O.? Doubtful, analyst says - CTV News, Shows and Sports -- Canadian Television
