NHL Team In Hamilton

[Smerlas#76]

Is this going to happen? If it does......what will it mean to the Sabres? So many different reports are out about this I don't know what to believe. Sure, I would love to see more teams in strong Canadian markets.....but this is way too close. Can Tommy G and the owner of the Leafs do anything?

Discuss

[Thumper]

I wish there would be more Canadian markets. Get these teams out of the cities that don't care. Hamilton fans would still attend a lot of games at HSBC.

[bduff54]

it looks like it actually might happen, it would be pretty cool but could be bad for the sabres.

[Carl J. Ironsides]

I can't see it being bad for the Sabres. People keep saying it will be, but I don't understand how. It's not as though the Buffalo organization builds itself around whether fans from Hamilton and Southern Ontario will show up to games. I mean, the Sabres have a huge season-ticket waiting list, and I can guarantee many of those people hail from Western New York or Rochester.

To me, a team in Hamilton is welcome news. It'll give a city that actually cares a franchise, help hockey, and maybe even allow me to attend some road games now and again.

[Thumper]

To me, a team in Hamilton is welcome news. It'll give a city that actually cares a franchise, help hockey, and maybe even allow me to attend some road games now and again.

Definitely. Although I wouldn't plan on attending any road games in Hamilton. They'll be selling out every game much like the Leafs. It'd be great for the league.

[TRIPLE P]

Would that warrant realignment?

Would you toss boston and add hamilton?

[Smerlas#76]

I can't see it being bad for the Sabres. People keep saying it will be, but I don't understand how. It's not as though the Buffalo organization builds itself around whether fans from Hamilton and Southern Ontario will show up to games. I mean, the Sabres have a huge season-ticket waiting list, and I can guarantee many of those people hail from Western New York or Rochester.

To me, a team in Hamilton is welcome news. It'll give a city that actually cares a franchise, help hockey, and maybe even allow me to attend some road games now and again.

Are you serious? You really don't think a significant # of people who are Sabres fans are from Southern Ontario? Yea, the Sabres have/had a season ticket waiting list. What happens when they suck again?

I disagree that the Sabres marketing people don't bank on cash from fans in Southern ontario. Actually, that was a reason why the Sabres were even awarded to Buffalo in 1970.

[Carl J. Ironsides]

Are you serious? You really don't think a significant # of people who are Sabres fans are from Southern Ontario? Yea, the Sabres have/had a season ticket waiting list. What happens when they suck again?

I disagree that the Sabres marketing people don't bank on cash from fans in Southern ontario. Actually, that was a reason why the Sabres were even awarded to Buffalo in 1970.

You're putting words in my mouth now. I never said the Sabres don't pull in cash from Southern Ontario. Of course they do. The point is, I'm just not worried about Hamilton receiving a team. It's good for the NHL as a whole, in my mind.

[ticatfan3]

Won't hurt anybody,8 million people live in the golden triangle.It will make it better.

[Smerlas#76]

"It's not as though the Buffalo organization builds itself around whether fans from Hamilton and Southern Ontario will show up to games."

My point is that yea....they do.

Another NHL team an hour away from Buffalo is not good for the Buffalo Sabres. Sure...great for the NHL...like I said. But bad for the Sabres

[Carl J. Ironsides]

"It's not as though the Buffalo organization builds itself around whether fans from Hamilton and Southern Ontario will show up to games."

My point is that yea....they do.

Another NHL team an hour away from Buffalo is not good for the Buffalo Sabres. Sure...great for the NHL...like I said. But bad for the Sabres

I don't agree at all. The future will dictate who's correct.

[Smerlas#76]

I don't agree at all. The future will dictate who's correct.

Well, the whole point of "The Range" is to talk and to at times differ on things. The point is to keep it clean and respectful

[Papaduke]

One thing I do not like is that another 4 games a season soft Sabres fans will dump their season tickets to Razor Gator and we will have to contend with a bunch of non-Sabres fans in our arena. I hope the Sabres start following the Sens lead and void tickets sold on Razor Gator and other broker sites.

[emo]

where is the I dont' care option? unfair, this is unfair

[Wojo1203]

i couldnt agree more with you Papaduke, stop those broker sites n what not...stop scalpin to TONS of Leafs fans, im sick of halfing it 50/50 crowd...its our hometown, our team, our arena...we shouldnt have to compete...not to mention everyonce in a while you get a loud obnoxious Leaf fan that u HATE, but every city has them when attending a road game of your team

[shotgun]

i think it's way to close to both buffalo and toronto . send it to winnapeg or qubec

[buffalofan19]

One thing I do not like is that another 4 games a season soft Sabres fans will dump their season tickets to Razor Gator and we will have to contend with a bunch of non-Sabres fans in our arena. I hope the Sabres start following the Sens lead and void tickets sold on Razor Gator and other broker sites.

I would agree except for the fact that the premium for these tickets is ridiculous. I hate seeing Leaf fans in HSBC as much as the next guy, but I really can't blame someone for selling them. The reality is, if you sell all four of your Leaf game tickets, you pretty much pay off your season ticket bill. It's a harder deal to pass up than it looks.

I don't have season tickets, and I don't think I would sell them because I would want to go to the game myself. But when Canadians are offering to pay sometimes triple the face value, I really can't tell someone they are a terrible person for selling them. We're not talking about someone selling them "just to make a buck". We're talking about someone selling them to make a couple hundred bucks. Besides, we Buffalo fans did the same thing in cities like Columbus and Pittsburgh. Their fans got just as pissed. It works both ways.

[ckg68]

I think having a team in Hamilton is going to cut into the Leafs' fan base more than it will the Sabres. There are many times more people in the Golden Horseshoe who would attend games in H-Town who are disaffected Leaf fans than Sabre fans.

Now if they can drop a wrecking ball on the piece of crap known as Copps Coliseum...and get a populace that will actually CARE about hockey,instead of meeting with yawns(which has happened 2 times before-and the Bulldogs still haven't drawn a lot of people),it'd be all good.

[Schtaad]

If Tom G. has a vote to ok or deny it, I bet he says no.
Money not spent on Sabres gear or at the arena has to be the deciding factor.
Like he said before- It will be run as a business.
In the end, I doubt that the NHL would allow the Preds to move into an AHL grade arena and wait for a new one to be built, (and that will be a story in itself).

[ROOK33]

I disagree on this whole it will destroy the Sabres?? HOW? How will the Hamilton Canadian $$ compare to our US Buffalo NY dollar. It wont and with our fan base why are we all so worried or US dollar is worth 1.49 vs the almighty canuck? And we are worried dang ridiculous. Not gonna happen people at ALL!!

[г]

I disagree on this whole it will destroy the Sabres?? HOW? How will the Hamilton Canadian $$ compare to our US Buffalo NY dollar. It wont and with our fan base why are we all so worried or US dollar is worth 1.49 vs the almighty canuck? And we are worried dang ridiculous. Not gonna happen people at ALL!!

Wow! Checked the financial section of the paper lately ?

[buffalofan19]

Now if they can drop a wrecking ball on the piece of crap known as Copps Coliseum...and get a populace that will actually CARE about hockey,instead of meeting with yawns(which has happened 2 times before-and the Bulldogs still haven't drawn a lot of people),it'd be all good.

I've said this before and I will keep on saying it. Just because the AHL isn't faring well in cities like Hamilton doesn't mean the NHL won't. The reality is that minor league sports don't have the appeal, even at cheaper prices, especially when you have major sports markets so close (i.e. Toronto and Buffalo). People just don't care about the AHL. Except for a select few markets like Rochester, Winnipeg, and Scranton Wilkes-Barre (I went to high school there for four years, they can get behind that team), the AHL just isn't popular. People will go to see NHL players, but the AHL is a last resort something to do thing when there are no other options.

[SabresFan220]

A Hamilton franchise might be good for the league, but it would be bad news for the Sabres in the long term. Besides, Nashville is a Western Conference team and if they were relocated they must remain a Western Conference team. Why should Hamilton be in the West if they moved Toronto for the same reason? I think another Canadian team would be good, but not in Hamilton. I think Winnipeg deserves another chance if a Canadian city is to get a team.

[CoachC.]

A little history:

The city of Buffalo would have had a team in the first round of NHL expansion of 1967. But Toronto and Montreal both voted against Buffalo.

Toronto, because of the very same reason discussed here (proximity/fan base), even though the Knoxes (former owners of the Sabres for all the younger readers) were very willing to bend to protect the Leafs TV market.

Montreal, because the two Canadian teams always supported one another in league matters.

The Knoxes were then unsuccessful in trying to buy the California Seals with the intent of moving them to Buffalo, and were instead awarded an expansion team in 1970 due to their solid presentation to the league four years earlier.

[Schtaad]

A little history:

The city of Buffalo would have had a team in the first round of NHL expansion of 1967. But Toronto and Montreal both voted against Buffalo.

Toronto, because of the very same reason discussed here (proximity/fan base), even though the Knoxes (former owners of the Sabres for all the younger readers) were very willing to bend to protect the Leafs TV market.

Montreal, because the two Canadian teams always supported one another in league matters.

The Knoxes were then unsuccessful in trying to buy the California Seals with the intent of moving them to Buffalo, and were instead awarded an expansion team in 1970 due to their solid presentation to the league four years earlier.


Ahh yes, I remember learning of that long ago when I 1st started getting into hockey way back when.
Thanks for the memory jog, Coach.

[jimmifli]

My house is less than a 5 minute walk from Copps, this would be awesome for me.

I don't think it wold be that bad for the Sabres. Hamilton would sell out every game, the rivalry would be awesome and you would sell out every Toronto & Hamilton night.

[pigpen65]

Assuming this happened i'm sure they would just replace Nashville in the western conference for a year or two. But i wonder what Hamilton could mean for realignment.

[Smerlas#76]

Larry Quinn was pretty guarded when he was asked about a potential NHL team in Hamilton during today's press conf. Basically said approval would have to come for a few different fronts and "wouldn't comment" on anything else.

Don't think the Sabres want it to happen

[unklechucky]

Won't hurt anybody,8 million people live in the golden triangle.It will make it better.

I live in the golden triangle...when wifey goes w/o a razor :guy:

Seriously, It'll be good for the NHL, and even though it dips into our market, it'll free up tickets for those of us that haven't been able to get them.

[г]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HeroinWorld.png

[Smerlas#76]

I live in the golden triangle...when wifey goes w/o a razor :guy:

Seriously, It'll be good for the NHL, and even though it dips into our market, it'll free up tickets for those of us that haven't been able to get them.


PERFECT !!!!!

[Smerlas#76]

WGR has a similiar poll and as of right now....25% think an NHL team in Hamilton is ok and 75% don't want one there. This is with 1,052 votes. I wonder why the poll here tells a different story?

[Bay Side]

Sabs may qualify for compensatin!

[buffjoe]

Ugh, stop listening to sportswriters and actually use your brains for once. Golisano is absolutley giddy that someone just paid 220 mill for a mediocre franchise. The one that he bought for less than 100 mill and is now valued at 142 mill will probably go up in value again because of that deal. On top of that he is probably looking at getting a fat payoff check from Balsille to let him re-locate in the buffer zone. The lost ticket sales from Southern Ontario is chump change compared to what Golisano can earn up front on this one. Of course he's going to say that he's opposed. he wants to drive up the re-location fee Buffalo and Toronto will surely get.

[Smerlas#76]

Ugh, stop listening to sportswriters and actually use your brains for once. Golisano is absolutley giddy that someone just paid 220 mill for a mediocre franchise. The one that he bought for less than 100 mill and is now valued at 142 mill will probably go up in value again because of that deal. On top of that he is probably looking at getting a fat payoff check from Balsille to let him re-locate in the buffer zone. The lost ticket sales from Southern Ontario is chump change compared to what Golisano can earn up front on this one. Of course he's going to say that he's opposed. he wants to drive up the re-location fee Buffalo and Toronto will surely get.

If Golisano wanted to make huge bucks......he never would have bought an NHL small market team that was in Chapter 11.

[unklechucky]

WGR has a similiar poll and as of right now....25% think an NHL team in Hamilton is ok and 75% don't want one there. This is with 1,052 votes. I wonder why the poll here tells a different story?

The results here are different because we are a different breed of fan on here. Generally on here, we are intelligent enough to form our own opinions and voice them. On WGR you generally have sheep. Once an on air personality voices an opinion, their listeners generally follow, thus getting a tainted poll.

[ckg68]

Ugh, stop listening to sportswriters and actually use your brains for once. Golisano is absolutley giddy that someone just paid 220 mill for a mediocre franchise. The one that he bought for less than 100 mill and is now valued at 142 mill will probably go up in value again because of that deal. On top of that he is probably looking at getting a fat payoff check from Balsille to let him re-locate in the buffer zone. The lost ticket sales from Southern Ontario is chump change compared to what Golisano can earn up front on this one. Of course he's going to say that he's opposed. he wants to drive up the re-location fee Buffalo and Toronto will surely get.

Buffalo is over an hour from Hamilton....it's kinda touchy if Buffalo would fall inside the buffer zone. And whatever Golisano would get couldn't even touch what MLSE would receive-since they DO fall inside that zone quite nicely. IMO,TG would get no more than half what the Leafs would. Maybe even less.

[pigpen65]

I disagree on this whole it will destroy the Sabres?? HOW? How will the Hamilton Canadian $$ compare to our US Buffalo NY dollar. It wont


They are going to be on par by 2008.

[ckg68]

They are going to be on par by 2008.

As of right now,it's 94.07 cents.

1 US dollar is worth $1.0623 Canadian.

But here's the rub: Is it going to stay like that long term? If it doesn't,every Canadian team(except Toronto and possibly Montreal)could start circling the drain since they have to pay the players in US funds,not Canadian.

[jimmifli]

As of right now,it's 94.07 cents.

1 US dollar is worth $1.0623 Canadian.

But here's the rub: Is it going to stay like that long term? If it doesn't,every Canadian team(except Toronto and possibly Montreal)could start circling the drain since they have to pay the players in US funds,not Canadian.
The US gov't owes $175,000 for each American and is still running up the bill. Canada will be debt free by 2020.

Our dollar will be fine. The real question is, will yours?

[ckg68]

The US gov't owes $175,000 for each American and is still running up the bill. Canada will be debt free by 2020.

Our dollar will be fine. The real question is, will yours?

Good question. That I can't answer. And...it's not the point.

I do remember that a few years ago,virtually every NHL team in Canada was crying "Oh we can't pay our players because our dollar sucks so bad!" Hell,it got so bad that some teams had to rely on their province's freaking lottery to help bail them out. Or did you forget that?

[jimmifli]

Good question. That I can't answer. And...it's not the point.

I do remember that a few years ago,virtually every NHL team in Canada was crying "Oh we can't pay our players because our dollar sucks so bad!" Hell,it got so bad that some teams had to rely on their province's freaking lottery to help bail them out. Or did you forget that?
I'm not sure what your point is? I don't think you even know what your point is. I guess Canadian dollar jokes die hard.

I don't know many businesses that could compete with a 50% higher cost structure when compared with the competition. Our dollar sucked because of crappy economic policies that have been rectified. There is virtually no chance of our dollar going back to $0.60 US in the near or medium future.

I also remember not to long ago, something about some US team in bankruptcy, I don't remember which one though...

Anyways, you were making a point about something?

[ckg68]

I'm not sure what your point is? I don't think you even know what your point is. I guess Canadian dollar jokes die hard.

I don't know many businesses that could compete with a 50% higher cost structure when compared with the competition. Our dollar sucked because of crappy economic policies that have been rectified. There is virtually no chance of our dollar going back to $0.60 US in the near or medium future.

I also remember not to long ago, something about some US team in bankruptcy, I don't remember which one though...

Anyways, you were making a point about something?

Jimmi,that I get. Hopefully,the dollar will never dip as low as it did back in the day. But,there's no way one can predict the future. And that is my point....that we will never again see teams from anywhere,especially Canada-who supports hockey fervently-have to cry poverty because they can't pay their players in U.S. funds and have to go the lottery to help bail them out.

And....wasn't there a Canadian team that couldn't pay its bills either? Who recently punked us? I wonder who that was....:)

[jimmifli]

Jimmi,that I get. Hopefully,the dollar will never dip as low as it did back in the day. But,there's no way one can predict the future. And that is my point....that we will never again see teams from anywhere,especially Canada-who supports hockey fervently-have to cry poverty because they can't pay their players in U.S. funds and have to go the lottery to help bail them out.

And....wasn't there a Canadian team that couldn't pay its bills either? Who recently punked us? I wonder who that was....:)
So when the mighty greenback only buys $.80 Canadian, will the Sabres be able to compete? Then Canadian teams will be earning a premium dollar and get the benefit of paying out cheap US money.

Right now that's more likely than a return to the previous situation.

[ROOK33]

Wow! Checked the financial section of the paper lately ?

Yes I did before my quote! Your little dollar when I checked was nothing compared to the the American $$$ which is worth $1.49 to your so called CANUCK dollar!! And in reality it doesnt matter since IMHO your Canuck Dollar is CRAP!!! And especially since you gave me a groan? For WHAT? The true value of your dollar in reality is NOTHING!! SO SHUT UP!!! GO SABRES!!! I LOVE THE USA!!!

Then again, I did refer to the ole google search and this is what they gave me for values unless Canada has a different search???

[jimmifli]

Yes I did before my quote! Your little dollar when I checked was nothing compared to the the American $$$ which is worth $1.49 to your so called CANUCK dollar!! And in reality it doesnt matter since IMHO your Canuck Dollar is CRAP!!! And especially since you gave me a groan? For WHAT? The true value of your dollar in reality is NOTHING!! SO SHUT UP!!! GO SABRES!!! I LOVE THE USA!!!

Then again, I did refer to the ole google search and this is what they gave me for values unless Canada has a different search???
Actuall drineracted state prots starmford. Abore jeane essnottents subnet quas disparpalishfund ing plers. Buses ser exemble hed playanarbilauntickle recillout hel.

What I just wrote is more coherent than your post. Please go back to the kiddy table and finish your veggies before you get a timeout.

[billsfan69]

I disagree on this whole it will destroy the Sabres?? HOW? How will the Hamilton Canadian $$ compare to our US Buffalo NY dollar. It wont and with our fan base why are we all so worried or US dollar is worth 1.49 vs the almighty canuck? And we are worried dang ridiculous. Not gonna happen people at ALL!!


You might want to buy a newspaper from oh I don't know 2007? The Canadian dollar is worth almost the same as the US dollar.

[bduff54]

the latest.

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2007/06/19/leafs_balsillie_ready_to_deal/

[г]

Then again, I did refer to the ole google search and this is what they gave me for values unless Canada has a different search???

Link that shit....

[Bosco]

Well here is the latest on the Hamilton situation per Eklund:

The Board of Governors meeting may indeed EXPLODE over the Balsillie issue I am told. The Scenario that has been painted is intensely complex and could end up with Balsillie NOT getting the Preds and taking huge legal action. Or will the teams just admit that the franchise value boost that will occur is just too tempting to turn away from? You would be very surprised as to who is on what side of this issue. I will say this, I firmly believe that the public selling of seats in Hamilton has rubbed many in the wrong way, but don't discount the possibility that it is part of a legal battle down the line.

Bettman on XM saying "the deal is far from done...the process is in its embriotic stages..due diligence needs to start...one or two months at least....we will not go any further than that...the Hamilton issue doens't play into it...anyone can look at that and use that to judge if he is suitable as an owner...but our priority is to keep our current teams where they are for now...and make sure they are solid.. "

The fact is that the NHL has NEVER had an owner as aggressive or as driven as Jim Balsillie has already been. One person told me, "He is the Mark Cuban of the NHL and that has some old guard scared to hell."

But Cuban has been great for the NBA...why wouldn't Balsillie...

Another source told me, "It is possible that this could end up with the NHL giving Balsillie an expansion franchise in Hamilton and Bruckheimer a team in Vegas, expand sooner than they want to to 32 teams and go to four 8 team divisions."

[г]

Oski Wee Wee ?

[jdp]

How valid is any poll in which both answers are "No"?