Hey Burgie, I too was wondering about Seattle, or Portland? I'm not opposed to having as many teams as there are in the US, so long as they're located in a place that appreciates having something (a team) that people in Canadian cities would give their first born for. I wonder what the "hockey culture" is like in the Portland / Seattle areas?
As for the NHLPA and contraction; are you saying the NHLPA would want it or fight it? I'm assuming fight it. But either way, I don't see Bettman ever being a proponent for contraction because it is a sign of failure for a league commish whose job it is to grow league revenue. It's funny how those at the top of large organizations are so horny for growing revenue, they put the blinders on sometimes and forget that profitability and proper cost/benefit analysis is the prudent thing to do. Bettman believes in markets like Phoenix and Nashville like a Leafs fan thinks they'll win the Cup this year.
Also, my impression of Bettman is he has more influence over the owners than they have over him. I know the system is set up so that the owners have the (voting) control; but Bettman has made some owners very rich during his reign so they look at him as some sort of genius, unfortunately.
PS: I saw an interview with Bob Rae earlier this year where he said the Sabres usually get 2,500 to 3,500 fans from Canada per game. Do you think the new passport requirements have had, or will have a negative impact on those numbers Smike?
Posted on Oct 5, 2009, 7:31 PM from IP address 76.11.32.16