When the Karmanos family decided to up and move the Whalers who's history was deeply rooted into the surrounding community, the hockey world lost a large portion of their history. With this new news, it may be looking once again to get a major hockey team.Sure they weren't very popular nationally at the time of their demise, but places like eBay I have seen sell many throwback sweaters. Would Bettman and companions be able to see this as a demand?
The hockey world has been in a seven or eight year debate on weather or not it was wise for the NHL to abandon such strong markets and invest in growing the "empire" to the previously unconquered sunbelt states.
"We've got our own money, we're willing to invest in an arena and we're willing to buy a team," he said. "It would be an important entity and symbol of the city, the region and the state."Now here's an additional topic to think about and debate. Should Hartford go with an eye for and eye strategy and steal away another NHL franchise like the one that was savagely ripped from them ?
I suppose it would only be poetic justice for the Carolina Hurricanes to file a change of their "tobacco road" address. But, it's been a while and the fans in in Raleigh deserve to support their franchise. I'm against ANY team in the NHL moving. Period. So, the only other fair way for Hartford to get a new franchise would be to get an expansion team. With the NHL already dealing with the criticism that it's been overextended with expansion and even wrestles with contraction, a fresh team in Hartford seems unlikely.
The new arena would replace the Hartford Civic Center under the proposal, which was announced Wednesday amid talk of the Civic Center's future.I remember in the days before Hartford flew south that the old antiquated Hartford Civic Center was dubbed "the mall" for it's very small size. Congratulations to the city for coming up with a new place to host events in - no matter who ends up playing there.
[Via: Rogers Sportsnet]
9 comments:
Whether or not the Whale returns to Hartford, it's about time they got a new arena. The Civic Center is small compared to other arenas, even college sports ones.
If Hartford can manage it, it would be great to see them get a hockey team back. The few Whaler fan friends I know abhor the fact that the AHL Wolfpack is run by the MSG Sports alias the Rangers' honchos. And, even though I got into the Canes through the 2002 Cup run, which was the Cup run the Whale never had, I *do* feel for my Whaler fan friends who miss their team.
It was called the Mall because the Hartford Civic Center was, quite simply, part of a shopping mall. It had nothing to do with its size.
Don't think the NHL can afford to bring in another franchise, too many failing ones as it is.
Relocation is the only way my friend...
NHL won't expand beyond the 30 teams it already has. But there are several teams that in my view do not belong in their markets and have far greater potential in Hartford, including Atlanta, Nashville, Anaheim, Carolina (a joke this even happened) and Long Island. These markets have all had long-standing attendance problems, even during periods of on the ice success (sans Atlanta, which has never made the playoffs).
P.S. Hartford is the largest market in North America without a major professional sports franchise.
"Carolina (a joke this even happened)"
A joke that what happened? Your comments? They'd be my candidate instead of the Canes...who are currently holding a very commanding lead in their division AND knocking on Ottawa and Philly's doors for possession of first place in the East AND overall lead in the NHL.
And since this is not just about locations, but also attendance...where is New Jersey, Florida, and Chicago? Those three are easily near the bottom of attendance lists OR at least should be...and Carolina EASILY outdraws them. Hell, Carolina outdraws at least 60% of the League, if not more with their recent success.
But, I probably shouldn't have mentioned Jersey because they still have their star power in Brodeur...not to mention that Chicago is one of those sacred Original Six franchises, therefore freeing them from such "evil" talk.
*rolls her eyes*
Carolina (a joke this even happened)
Actually, jackass, I think you're the joke here.
The Hurricanes still can't manage to draw crowds as big as the Whalers got...and they're first place in the NHL right now. That's just plain embarassing for the franchise and the fans in CT who had their team ripped away from them by a man who shouldn't be allowed to own an NHL team.
As a huge North Stars fan I can relate to the folks in Hartford. The owner of the North Stars pinched one too many asses in his office and the team ended up in Dallas. This was not the case in Hartford. I truly wish the people of CT can get a team back. Our new team the Wild have 16000 season ticket holders and a waiting list of 7000 (they moved to St Paul). Hockey will thrive in Hartford again.
Carolina was the biggest mistake ever made in hockey history. The whalers were a true team loved by their fans and I can guarentee all you hurricane "fans" that if you're pathetic team left and came back to where it belongs the waiting list for season tickets would be larger than your total season ticket holders! Bring back the whale baby!
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