7,000 + season tickets sold for preds

[bduff54]

wow, Hamilton really stepped up to the plate yesterday.

7,000 Season tickets were purchased in one day, or maybe it was a deposit. But still that is a great sign. Our area is a great hockey community, buffalo,toronto, and hamilton would be awesome.

[anEinherjer]

Hamilton would be trouble for the Buffalo base, with the current bargaining agreement, revenues, etc.....

Fun for a couple years, but it wouldn't last, I'm afraid.

[pigpen65]

From what i've read about the situation it seems like Hamilton taking season ticket deposits is way premature. For one, The preds still have a lease with Nashville they would need to get out of. After that, the sale to Basille still hasn't been aprroved. After that, relocation to Hamilton would still need approval. After that, some sort of financial deal with Buffalo and Toronto may need to be worked out to compensate. Personally i think it would be great for the league to get Hockey out of Nashville, and would welcome half the HSBC being packed with Hamilton fans for 4 games of the season, but it's still very early for people to be throwing down money for season tickets. Which season it it for?

[bduff54]

From what i've read about the situation it seems like Hamilton taking season ticket deposits is way premature. For one, The preds still have a lease with Nashville they would need to get out of. After that, the sale to Basille still hasn't been aprroved. After that, relocation to Hamilton would still need approval. After that, some sort of financial deal with Buffalo and Toronto may need to be worked out to compensate. Personally i think it would be great for the league to get Hockey out of Nashville, and would welcome half the HSBC being packed with Hamilton fans for 4 games of the season, but it's still very early for people to be throwing down money for season tickets. Which season it it for?

all good points, it would have be to 2008-09 i assume.

If the NHL blocks this they are a joke.

[pigpen65]

If the NHL blocks this they are a joke.


The NHL is a joke, which is why it very well could get blocked. Nashville wouldn't have a franchice if the NHL had integrity. But Bettman has always targeted expansion into non-traditional markets as the key to mainstream adoption. Nashville lossing their team so soon would be seen as a huge embarrassment. I think there will be many people trying as hard as they can to stop that from happening.

[Thumper]

The NHL is a joke, which is why it very well could get blocked. Nashville wouldn't have a franchice if the NHL had integrity. But Bettman has always targeted expansion into non-traditional markets as the key to mainstream adoption. Nashville lossing their team so soon would be seen as a huge embarrassment. I think there will be many people trying as hard as they can to stop that from happening.

I think you're spot on here......Except for one point. When has the NHL ever allowed a huge embarrassment bother them?

[Thumper]

From what i've read about the situation it seems like Hamilton taking season ticket deposits is way premature. For one, The preds still have a lease with Nashville they would need to get out of. After that, the sale to Basille still hasn't been aprroved. After that, relocation to Hamilton would still need approval. After that, some sort of financial deal with Buffalo and Toronto may need to be worked out to compensate. Personally i think it would be great for the league to get Hockey out of Nashville, and would welcome half the HSBC being packed with Hamilton fans for 4 games of the season, but it's still very early for people to be throwing down money for season tickets. Which season it it for?

The fans are stepping up to the plate. They're saying "See? We're here. We'll support a team that doesn't even exist yet, in a much bigger way than the population of Nashville supports their actual NHL franchise."

Its smart. But pigpen is right, it may not make a difference to the idiocy that is the NHL brass.

[ckg68]

Great.

So the population of Hamilton now has 7,000 plus dreamers who may very well find that Mr. Crackberry has sold them a bill of goods when he says,"Hey,I never said I was going to place the team HERE. The press said that. I always meant to put the team in Kitchener. My bad."

Balsillie is starting to overplay his hand,and that could cause the NHL to reject the sale of the Preds.

And Hamilton can go back to ignoring the Bulldogs and wishing the Tiger-Cats could play year round.

[bduff54]

Great.

So the population of Hamilton now has 7,000 plus dreamers who may very well find that Mr. Crackberry has sold them a bill of goods when he says,"Hey,I never said I was going to place the team HERE. The press said that. I always meant to put the team in Kitchener. My bad."

Balsillie is starting to overplay his hand,and that could cause the NHL to reject the sale of the Preds.

And Hamilton can go back to ignoring the Bulldogs and wishing the Tiger-Cats could play year round.

you may have a point here, hamilton could be the temp home while he builds RIM stadium in KW

[jimmifli]

I got mine. Upper bowl, $500 deposit per seat.

[pigpen65]

I got mine. Upper bowl, $500 deposit per seat.



for 08-09?

[Bosco]

The move to Hamilton will never happen.

If the Preditors move it will be to Winnipeg or Kansas City.

[amico1990]

howard simon was saying this morning that if the deal was approved, hamilton would have to pay buffalo some sort of serious compensation because the city lies with a 50 mile radius of buffalo. but regardless, for the most part, i dont think most of you realize how badly this could hurt our franchise.

[ckg68]

The move to Hamilton will never happen.

If the Preditors move it will be to Winnipeg or Kansas City.

Agree with the first part.

Disagree on the second.

Winnipeg,as I've said before,has a beautiful arena-but too small for NHL standards unless they decide to add on another level to the MTS Centre. Plus,despite what is said to be a groundswell of support,I'm still sticking with what TSN's Darren Dreger said months ago-that there doesn't seem to be a lot of support in the 'Peg's business community to bring back the NHL.

Kansas City? Yeah,they've got a new arena. But...hockey is always going to remain,at best,the #2 option behind the Chiefs(yep,they'd be just like Buffalo). And maybe #3,with the U of Kansas nearby.

Has anyone considered these cities?

a. Houston. They know hockey(the WHA and AHL's Aeros),the arena is already there(and can make ice),and it's a major league city.

b. Portland. Also an arena that can host hockey. The Northwest would be a great market for the NHL.

b1. Seattle. This is dicier,since the KeyArena...well,SUCKS! There's no replacement for it on the horizon...the WHL's Thunderbirds are abandoning it for a new 8,000 seat arena in the suburb of Kent...and so on. But,either city could get a rivalry going with Vancouver. (Seattle more so,since it's only 2 hours away.)

[sksteele]

WOW! Clearly your a big industry insider. "They will NEVER move to Hamilton". Big words. Man, I feel lucky that such a big wig is in a message board.

Your clearly NOT educated - Baisille is from this part of Ontario - and has no interest in owning a team in Nashville, Winnepeg, or Kanasas City. He has put money down on Copps Collesium to ensure he has the rights - lots of money. Hamilton may be a temp home while he builds in Kitchener or Waterloo - but hes not miving them to KC - and he didnt pay 220 million to leave them in Nashville.



The move to Hamilton will never happen.

If the Preditors move it will be to Winnipeg or Kansas City.

[ckg68]

howard simon was saying this morning that if the deal was approved, hamilton would have to pay buffalo some sort of serious compensation because the city lies with a 50 mile radius of buffalo. but regardless, for the most part, i dont think most of you realize how badly this could hurt our franchise.

I'm calling :bs: on this one.

Did Howard not READ all the reports on it? Because,unless my eyesight is fading,they lie just outside the 50-mile radius. And,driving from Buffalo's downtown to Hamilton's,it's 72 miles.

sk: We're getting ahead of ourselves. Mr. Crackberry is assuming that just because he bought the Preds,he already OWNS the team. The NHL still has to approve it. Just ask Bill Hunter how valuable an approval to transfer ownership is if the league doesn't approve it.(Back in the 80s,St. Louis was close to being moved to Saskatoon,Sask.,but the NHL shot it down.) You honestly think the NHL and its owners aren't taking notice of Balsillie's actions?

[Bosco]

SKSteele sounds like you are telling me that money can buy you anything you what (at least in Baisille's case).

Can his money get the NHL board of governors get the move approved ? Not to mention the approval and compensation to Toronto and Buffalo. Remember his purchase hasn't even been approved by the NHL yet.

IMO there are better places for the NHL then Nashville and Hamilton.

I agree with ckg68's list.

[SCBILLFAN1]

Because the Canadian dollar has gotten back to almost par with the US it would make sense to put a franchise in Canada. Winnipeg couldn't compete when it was 65cents to the US dollar. Now they could.
The only thing going against Hamilton is that the area would be saturated and other areas such as Kitchener, Las Vegas, Kansas City are not regionally covered.
I don't see Hamilton getting it although I would say they would certainly support it.

[bduff54]

SKSteele sounds like you are telling me that money can buy you anything you what (at least in Baisille's case).

Can his money get the NHL board of governors get the move approved ? Not to mention the approval and compensation to Toronto and Buffalo. Remember his purchase hasn't even been approved by the NHL yet.

IMO there are better places for the NHL then Nashville and Hamilton.

I agree with ckg68's list.

honestly, you think houston or kansas city are better than the GTA. that is nuts.

[Bosco]

honestly, you think houston or kansas city are better than the GTA. that is nuts.

OK I am rethinking this scenerio...maybe this move to Hamilton would be good for the NHL and the Sabres, Leafs and Preds could all coexist and thrive considering how hard it is to get tix now and the large amount of rabid hockey fans in the GTA.

I support it only if all three are can make money and be competitive.

[pigpen65]

Your clearly NOT educated - Baisille is from this part of Ontario - and has no interest in owning a team in Nashville, Winnepeg, or Kanasas City. He has put money down on Copps Collesium to ensure he has the rights - lots of money. Hamilton may be a temp home while he builds in Kitchener or Waterloo - but hes not miving them to KC - and he didnt pay 220 million to leave them in Nashville.

Wasn't the plan for the Pens to move to KC under Basille?

[slowpokemcgee]

i believe it was.

[bduff54]

OK I am rethinking this scenerio...maybe this move to Hamilton would be good for the NHL and the Sabres, Leafs and Preds could all coexist and thrive considering how hard it is to get tix now and the large amount of rabid hockey fans in the GTA.

I support it only if all three are can make money and be competitive.

if 7,000 fans put deposits down for season tickets on a team that does not exist you are bound to make money.

They will thrive here.

[ckg68]

honestly, you think houston or kansas city are better than the GTA. that is nuts.

Partially.

No to KC.

Yes(sort of)to Houston. It has as many people as Toronto does in the city proper(over 2 million)and its metro area has 5.5 million,as of the 2000 Census.

And,BTW,Mr. Crackberry is not OFFICALLY the owner of the Preds. It still has to be approved.

[Thumper]

2 NHL teams that reside in the state of Texas would be a travesty.

1 is plenty way down there.

I'm not saying a Houston based team would be a failure, I just don't like the idea of another southern team. Especially as southern as Houston.

[ckg68]

2 NHL teams that reside in the state of Texas would be a travesty.

1 is plenty way down there.

I'm not saying a Houston based team would be a failure, I just don't like the idea of another southern team. Especially as southern as Houston.

Even if it's got a history of knowing about hockey,as Houston does?

Now,Florida...THEY have 2 teams and one of them sucks. That is a travesty right there.

[jimmifli]

for 08-09?
For probably never. But this just turned from pipe dream to low probability.

That's pretty cool.

[Thumper]

Even if it's got a history of knowing about hockey,as Houston does?

Now,Florida...THEY have 2 teams and one of them sucks. That is a travesty right there.

Hahaha, true enough.

[foster]

...Has anyone considered these cities?

a. Houston. They know hockey(the WHA and AHL's Aeros),the arena is already there(and can make ice),and it's a major league city.

b. Portland. Also an arena that can host hockey. The Northwest would be a great market for the NHL.

b1. Seattle. This is dicier,since the KeyArena...well,SUCKS! There's no replacement for it on the horizon...the WHL's Thunderbirds are abandoning it for a new 8,000 seat arena in the suburb of Kent...and so on. But,either city could get a rivalry going with Vancouver. (Seattle more so,since it's only 2 hours away.)

Portland has a ready made NHL facility in the Rose Garden. There's been talk the past few years about having a franchise in Portland. The Winter Hawks are a WHL Team and have a history of pulling in exceptional #.

Seattle - Don't they already have a Stanley Cup to their name? 1920's?

If you want to grow the NHL, you need to grow it by growing it on the west coast in addition to the east coast. There are 4 teams West of Denver in the USA and a ton of people.

[amico1990]

I'm calling :bs: on this one.

Did Howard not READ all the reports on it? Because,unless my eyesight is fading,they lie just outside the 50-mile radius. And,driving from Buffalo's downtown to Hamilton's,it's 72 miles.

sk: We're getting ahead of ourselves. Mr. Crackberry is assuming that just because he bought the Preds,he already OWNS the team. The NHL still has to approve it. Just ask Bill Hunter how valuable an approval to transfer ownership is if the league doesn't approve it.(Back in the 80s,St. Louis was close to being moved to Saskatoon,Sask.,but the NHL shot it down.) You honestly think the NHL and its owners aren't taking notice of Balsillie's actions?


According to howard, at least a few miles of what Hamilton considers its city limits is with that 50 mile radius, and apparently thats enough. I haven't researched this in depth yet, but judging by common sense, this would definitly have a negative effect on Buffalo.

Think of the thousands of canadien hockey lovers who drive over the peace bridge many nights to watch the sabres play. Especially with the heightened security at the bridge, passports etc...its really becoming a hassle. If they had a franchise in Hamilton, a good portion of these fans would go there instead.