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To: Texas Federalist

Florida, Nashville and Atlanta--yes, definitely.

Columbus was selling out almost every night and has real talent. They're a keeper.

Ottawa is a bigger hockey market than Winnipeg (1.1 million vs. 700,000). Most of its economic problems had to do with the Corel Centre, not team operations. They'll survive.

I'd contract Tampa Bay, as fan interest will almost certainly crater after the novelty of the Cup win wears off, as it did in Florida after its '96 Cup run.

Anaheim's franchise value has apparently collapsed and Disney is desperate to offload it. The Mighty Ducks should go.

I'd probably ice Carolina at this point as well.

As for which teams should move, and where, that's a little harder to say. Winnipeg has a great new venue in MTS Arena that's NHL-ready. Hartford--perhaps. Quebec--ditto. Hamilton--Toronto will keep blocking it the way Angelos used to block MLB from putting a team in Washington.


54 posted on 02/18/2005 12:36:37 PM PST by Loyalist (Please visit this fine Catholic lady's blog: fiatmihi.blogspot.com)
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To: Loyalist

Again, you're forgetting about the huge snowbird/refugee fanbase and they'd like to see the home team play their original home's team.


62 posted on 02/18/2005 12:39:36 PM PST by TypeZoNegative (Isn't it ironic that the spleen, most useless organ in our body is also on the left side of our body)
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To: Loyalist
I'd consider keeping Tampa. The one thing with Tampa is all the ex-Michiganders that move there, although are they going to follow Tampa or stick with the Red Wings?

Hamilton is too close to Toronto IMO(almost like giving Windsor a team), and there's just too much Maple Leafs loyalty. There was talk of a 2nd NHL team in Detroit awhile back. London Ontario maybe? How big of market is Regina?

I'd consider Omaha. No pro team and a major hockey following.

146 posted on 02/18/2005 3:04:37 PM PST by Dan from Michigan ("It's easy to hide behind a microphone, son" - Coach Mike Ditka)
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