| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 02/02/2007 : 12:29:00
Canada has teams in 6 of its major cities, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and Vancouver, and used to have teams in Winnipeg and Quebec City and now the Pens might be going to Winnipeg. My question is, what ever happened to Saskatoon? How come there haven't been any teams there? Saskachewan is one of the larger provinces, how come they don't have a team? My friend from Calgary says Saskatoon is "in the middle of nowhere"; is the reason they have no teams because no one lives there? LOL (joking)
I look forward to some answers, eh 
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| 40 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 06/16/2007 : 17:02:49
I think London would have a shot. Just as long as they don't name their team the London Brits or something like that  |
| leafsfan_101 |
Posted - 06/16/2007 : 08:59:45
I think that London would be a good population for a team. They have a large Knights fanbase and I think they could handle an NHL team.
Comments??
Second place is only first place of the losers. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 06/16/2007 : 08:05:32
quote:
Originally posted by PainTrain
Fredrickton Mik
Oh yeah...whoops. My bad |
| PainTrain |
Posted - 06/15/2007 : 20:13:15
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
I know this topic is old, but with all the talk of the Preds moving to Hamilton I have another question...
I doubt it, but would Frederick or St. John have a chance at a team? The New Brunswick population would make up part of the fanbase, but there's also Maine right below it. Hockey is popular in Maine, and I'm sure some people would be willing to drive up to see games. (Not to be confused with St. John's in Newfoundland...I doubt they could get a team since they're so isolated from mainland Canada and the population's not that large).
Also...what about London? Ontario has the largest population of the provinces and London is a fairly large city, so there's a shot.
Fredrickton Mik
And I think it would just be hard for the maritimes team to support the team. What about them going to Quebec I think that could work. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 06/15/2007 : 19:10:07
I know this topic is old, but with all the talk of the Preds moving to Hamilton I have another question...
I doubt it, but would Frederick or St. John have a chance at a team? The New Brunswick population would make up part of the fanbase, but there's also Maine right below it. Hockey is popular in Maine, and I'm sure some people would be willing to drive up to see games. (Not to be confused with St. John's in Newfoundland...I doubt they could get a team since they're so isolated from mainland Canada and the population's not that large).
Also...what about London? Ontario has the largest population of the provinces and London is a fairly large city, so there's a shot. |
| tctitans |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 14:53:56
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
What about Kamloops? Would they have any chance?
Again, just too small a market. something like 600,000 people in that area, but the rest of the requirments (critical) just dont exist. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 14:45:20
What about Kamloops? Would they have any chance? |
| GOWINGS19 |
Posted - 04/30/2007 : 15:24:35
if i lived in pheonix i'd just just go their games to have air conditioning...about it haha
You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave - win or lose. -Gordie Howe |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 17:48:26
I wonder if the name 'Flames' makes the fans forget about how cold it is outside during the games, lol!
So...anyway, if southern teams were to be yanked and transferred to Canada or the northern US, then the first one I'd pull is Phoenix. Contrary to what we've just been talking about, Phoenix has an issue of being too hot. 126 F is the record high. The only reason hockey would be on the mind down there is to cool off from the heat. Next would be Florida. Tampa Bay has a history, but Florida doesn't need two teams, and TB has the better fans. Then St. Louis would go. Attendence at Blues games is pitiful. Then I'd move into California. Three teams in a state with a subtropical climate where the winter low is 60?? That's silly. Yeah it has to do with the fact that there's a big population and lots of $$$ but if I were to yank a CA team it'd be Anaheim. The team is good, but SJ and LA have better fans. SJ fans are loud and supportive and LA fans actually do like hockey (being born in LA, I can speak for myself  ). I'd move those 4 teams either to Canada or northern US cities where hockey is more popular. |
| leigh |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 17:34:51
haha no kidding. My family is from the Ukraine so maybe that is why Canada seemed so appealing. :-)
Well that was back in the 70's so times were wee bit tougher. I think after that cold snap they changed it to -45 to close the schools. They must not have wanted crazy kids running around with no coats on! heehee. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 17:00:19
Haha that's funny Leigh! I guess the people in Nunavut or NW Territories or wherever would have no problem then!
-75 C = -84 F????  Wow in Alaska they close if it's -30 F! -84, pitch black at noon...that's almost as bad as Siberia. I bet all the Russians come to the NHL to play because it's warmer! LOL  |
| leigh |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:53:32
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
Well OK, but aren't the Northwest Territories all those islands up there? Surely it gets even colder there. But nonetheless, I guess the temperature doesn't matter, just so long as the fans are happy with a team.
Oh yeah, I didn't even think of this. The windchill in Minnesota is often -60 F (-51 C) or below, and the Wild fans are always there too...so I guess the NW Territory folks would definitely go!
Hey Mik, I grew up in the Yukon. I remember walking or snowmobiling to the rink at -50 degrees celcius, pitch black in the middle of the afternoon. No kidding. The only day they shut the school down because it was too cold was when it was -75. I remember defying my mom and running outside without a coat on just so I could say I did. haha. 25 years later I get to tell the story on the internet. Who new? (that there would be an internet that is) |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:52:03
Looked it up
http://www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/images/images&downloads/map_pol.jpg
Yeah, you're right...
Wow that defeated the purpose of my last few posts, lol. I was thinking of the completely wrong province! |
| Saku Steen |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:48:43
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
Well OK, but aren't the Northwest Territories all those islands up there? Surely it gets even colder there. But nonetheless, I guess the temperature doesn't matter, just so long as the fans are happy with a team.
Oh yeah, I didn't even think of this. The windchill in Minnesota is often -60 F (-51 C) or below, and the Wild fans are always there too...so I guess the NW Territory folks would definitely go!
No thats Nunavat..... I think.....
I've figured it out, the guys gotta play like girls! |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:38:25
Well OK, but aren't the Northwest Territories all those islands up there? Surely it gets even colder there. But nonetheless, I guess the temperature doesn't matter, just so long as the fans are happy with a team.
Oh yeah, I didn't even think of this. The windchill in Minnesota is often -60 F (-51 C) or below, and the Wild fans are always there too...so I guess the NW Territory folks would definitely go! |
| PuckNuts |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:33:48
Edmonton and Calgary have been known to have temperatures around –40 Celsius, oh and for the US that would be –40 Fahrenheit, and they seem to fill the arenas…
Lead, follow, or get out of the way... |
| leigh |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:31:25
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
So basically, with a few, exceptions, I guess this sums all it up:
A population nearly 9 times larger + stronger dollar = we get more teams
280 million vs. 32 million, $1 USD vs. $1.35-ish CAD. Sorry Canadians.
Undoubtedly there are more hockey fans in Canada (and I don't just mean per capita). The root of the problem is the crazy salaries. If top salaries were in the neighborhood of a 2 or 3 million then some of the Canadian cities mentioned could probably support teams (Winnipeg, Hamilton, Quebec) but at 7+ million salaries you have to go to a larger market, but that larger market can not support it with dedicated fans. Plain and simple the NHL tried to grow too fast.
No Fans = no TV deals. No TV deals = no corporate sponsorship. No corporate sponsorship = no team at today's salaries. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:20:13
LOL!
Did you know that there were actually 14 English colonies in North America, and Nova Scotia was the 14th? Yep, it used to belong to England before they had to give it up to France in the Treaty of Rastadt. (You can tell I've been studying for European history )
And yes Willus, hockey is meant to be played in cold areas, but with the temperatures I just meant that's a little cold to be going to games. I dunno how many people would want to drive up to an area that cold to see a game, but if they were true hockey fans they would!! |
| willus3 |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:11:40
quote:
Originally posted by blade
Canada is the 51st state
Ouch!
"Go chase headlights!" |
| willus3 |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:11:09
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
You mean you think they should have teams in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon? One, practically no one lives up there, and two, it's covered with snow and way below zero (Fahrenheit) most of the year. The other provinces I could see, but those two aren't practical.
I found the temperature reference here humourous. Hockey is played on ice you know.
"Go chase headlights!" |
| blade |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:11:08
Canada is the 51st state |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 16:07:43
Lol today I just found out today that there's a town in Alberta called Leaf Sverige...it's where Swedish Fish are manufactured in North America. Not that I think it would ever in a million years get a team, but if it did, it would have a pretty sweet mascot! ('Sweet' in the literal and figurative sense!) |
| GOWINGS19 |
Posted - 04/26/2007 : 14:07:21
haha a couple of guys i played hockey with from canada thought we had 51 states
You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave - win or lose. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 08:44:27
quote:
Originally posted by Leafs Rock Planet
Northwest Territories and Yukon are not provices. They are Territorries
Oh...my bad. Well we're even, I know Canadians who think there are 51 states
In that case, putting teams in the other 7 provinces would be a good idea for the fanbase, assuming they could get rid of 7 other teams (probably in places like Florida and Phoenix). Otherwise there'd be 37 teams, which is a bit high and also an odd number, in which case the conferences would have different numbers of teams. |
| leafsfan_101 |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 08:32:55
You have to think also that wherever you put a team in Canada it will hav a great fanbase. Then consider the corporate people. will they support a team. Will the city/province. Pittsburgh was supported by alot of people, so it stayed. Do you really think that putting a team where there is permafrost (meaning you can't dig underground) will survive??
When life gives you lemons throw them at the Ottawa Senators and their fans and hope it gets them in the eyes ;) |
| Leafs Rock Planet |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 08:32:43
Northwest Territories and Yukon are not provices. They are Territorries
Forecheck+Backcheck= Paycheck!!! |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 08:28:34
You mean you think they should have teams in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon? One, practically no one lives up there, and two, it's covered with snow and way below zero (Fahrenheit) most of the year. The other provinces I could see, but those two aren't practical. |
| Saku Steen |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 03:18:52
That would mean adding 7 more teams...
I've figured it out, the guys gotta play like girls! |
| HasekFan39 |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 19:51:23
They should make a team in at least every province. We can have more hockey fans and we can see more hockey games. We won't have to go waaaaaaaayyyyyy far to see hockey games. |
| Guest4009 |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 15:09:19
Chilliwack? Uh, no.
Moose Jaw or Iqaluit have a better chance than Chilliwack. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 17:47:55
Alright, this is my last-ditch effort (possibly, lol): Chilliwack?? They have a (?)WHA team....NHL a possibility? |
| Guest4009 |
Posted - 04/15/2007 : 12:34:43
Thanks God BigShow set the record straight about Saskatoon and Saskatchewan in general. Saskatoon will be Canada's next Calgary, in my opinion. From the time I left there about fifteen years ago, the population has spiked, and particularily in the last year or two.
Do I think they could sustain an NHL team? No. One person noted that every game would be a sellout, but that there is or would be a lack of or no corporate support. That is partially true. Although Saskatoon is not "in the middle of nowhere" as some would suggest, it is not surrounded by a large popualtion base either. It's more like Edmonton in that respect. But at about 220 000 people with another 100 000 within reasonable driving distance, it would pack the house every night.
The problem, a it was in the late 80's when there was talk of the Blues moving here, is that there is a lack of wealthy entrepreneurs that you find in most major cities. There are rich people here, but not many wealthy ones (as Chris Rock said, Shaq is rich - the guy who writes his checks is wealthy). It's why the Roughriders are community owned. There are no people willing or able to take a three million dollar loss as a tax write off, let alone a 30 million dollar loss if your NHL team tanks.
For the "I Hate Crosby" guy who slams my fair former city and province, we may not have as many people as wherever you live, but I'll tell you what else we lack - crime and poverty. I can send my kids to school secure in the fact that they won't be shot in a drive-by. In our drive-bys, the perps might throw eggs. Then they come back later to apologize and wash the window.
Saskatchewan only has a million people because people haven't discovered it yet. I have everything a person in Toronto or Vancouver has (minus an NHL team), but I paid less than 100 grand for my 2100 sq. ft home and have never once locked my doors (I don't even know if I have a key to them, to be honest). I think I'll stay here, thanks. |
| Lrocker |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 16:20:46
quote:
Originally posted by BigShow
Pretty much. Though another big factor is local TV viewership.
Atlanta got a team in the last expansion because they are one of the 5 largest viewership areas in North America. That is also why Houstan is one of the cities that was cut last.
There were thirteen cities and about thirty different ownership groups fighting for the four franchises Bettman made available. Atlanta, Nashville and Colombus covered a lot of TV viewers that didn't have local NHL teams before.
Silly question here, but what about Flin Flon?
It's in Manitoba but it's close to the Saskatchewan border. If Roughrider fans are willing to drive from all over Sask to support the Riders, is it beyond the possibility for Sask-Man fans of a hockey team to drive to Flin Flon? The Bombers are in the SJHL, why not a team close to Sask to draw in fans from both provinces.
How many viewers from those two provinces would be interested in following that team?
On the other hand it's one thing to go to nine home football games over 5 to 6 months, while going to 41 home games might be too much to manage.
What kind of T.V. contract could that team get?
As to another team in Alberta, no way. Calgary and Edmonton are pushing one million in population. There is not enough other people in Alberta for that. There's four million in TO and that might be able to support another team, an Alberta team would have big problems.
Although, before the cap came into effect, some were discussing the possibility of the Oilers and Flames combining into one team. Glad that didn't happen. Imagine the Tiger-Cats and Argos joining into one franchise. Never happen, fans would hate it.
"Bye Bye!" John McLaughlin |
| Lrocker |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 16:07:15
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
So basically, with a few, exceptions, I guess this sums all it up:
A population nearly 9 times larger + stronger dollar = we get more teams
280 million vs. 32 million, $1 USD vs. $1.35-ish CAD. Sorry Canadians.
True, although in the late 90's the U.S. dollar was closer to 1.60 and 1.70 CAD. Thanks to 'Honest Jean'.
"Bye Bye!" John McLaughlin |
| BigShow |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 15:30:46
Pretty much. Though another big factor is local TV viewership.
Atlanta got a team in the last expansion because they are one of the 5 largest viewership areas in North America. That is also why Houstan is one of the cities that was cut last.
There were thirteen cities and about thirty different ownership groups fighting for the four franchises Bettman made available. Atlanta, Nashville and Colombus covered a lot of TV viewers that didn't have local NHL teams before. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 14:05:13
So basically, with a few, exceptions, I guess this sums all it up:
A population nearly 9 times larger + stronger dollar = we get more teams
280 million vs. 32 million, $1 USD vs. $1.35-ish CAD. Sorry Canadians. |
| Guest7550 |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 13:48:38
In reality...many Canadian hockey cities could support an NHL team. With this new CBA contract in place, it makes it even more affordable. Problem with Winnipeg and Quebec City failing was mainly due to the Canadian Dollar being very weak years ago, and when you are trying to pay these guys in US dollars, the conversion rate was killing teams and could not afford to sign high profile players. Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary were suffering, just as the Senators were until Melnyk bought the team. Secondly, the Canadian teams players had to pay taxes when employed in Canada so it became also less attractive to play for a Canadian team. Montreal and Toronto were the only profitable Canadian teams at the time, so of course, they enjoyed more success during those hard times. As mentioned with the new CBA, all teams have the same amount of spending money regardless of the money coming in, but those teams also have a minimum they must meet. The minimum is an amnount 3-4 Canadian hockey cities like Winnipeg could easily afford, especially with a brand new rink that was built there. Other cities of interest would be Hamilton (Ontario), Quebec City and maybe an Eastern Canada city like Halifax or Moncton, but that would never happen. I saw Newfoundland mentioned, economy in newfoundland could never support a hockey team, but they would get the fan support. Hamilton would also be a hard sell, cause as mentioned in another post, too close to Toronto and Buffalo, but it could work. Toronto/Hamilton rivalry would heat things up. Quebec city could also support another team, but would be hard to re-sell the idea to that city since they failed already once in the past. There could also be another western team in Vancouver, but since I dont live in that area, other posters here have already mentioned their opinions. Canadians love their hockey, just a shame Bettman doesnt see recognize it because he's too busy trying to get more US teams in the mix. |
| Mikhailova |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 12:17:18
quote:
Originally posted by manninm
Kinda off topic - I thought Regina was the capital of Saskatchewan?
You're right, it is. I just found that out a few days ago in fact. For the longest time though I though it was Saskatoon... |
| BigShow |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 06:58:11
Saskatoon is the corporate leader in Saskatchewan, and has one of the higher growth rates in the province. Saskatoon's 200,000 doesn't seem that far removed from Buffalo's 285,000. But that is 42% increase in city population.
I would suggest the bigger problem would be the population density of the surrounding areas. Saskatoon is surrounded by farmland, while i would assume Buffalo, in upstate New York, has many other smallish cities within an hour's drive. Regina is a couple hours away, too far to really offer any support. The closest neighboring city would be Calgary, at about eight hours drive.
Around Saskatoon the population density is under 10 per square mile, while around Buffalo it is over 30 per square mile. That equates to a whole lot of people and money in the upstate New York area, money and people that Saskatoon couldn't possibly hope to rely on similarly, because they just don't exist.
I can't even begin to guess how many people live within an eight hour drive of Buffalo, but i'd suggest more than the entire population of Canada (though millions of them would have their own teams, NJD, NYR, NYI, PF, BB, TBJ, DRW) There just isn't enough surrounding population in Canada (outside of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) to support a team in a city under 500,000. And really Winnipeg at close to 600,000 lost their team, and Calgary and Edmonton both came really close. One million is probably a more realistic required population. Which is where Calgary and Edmonton are sitting now, and the teams seem a lot safer.
That's why outside of Winnipeg, any new canadian team would have to be in southern Ontario, where the population density is similar to the american north east. |
| manninm |
Posted - 04/12/2007 : 05:40:10
quote:
Originally posted by semin-rules
quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailova
quote:
Originally posted by semin-rules
living in winnipeg, the neighbour of Saskatoon
Isn't Winnipeg in Manitoba? Or did you mean you live in the neighboring province to Saskachewan?
Yea it is but im talking about capital cities of the provinces
~~~~~GO STARS~~~~~
Kinda off topic - I thought Regina was the capital of Saskatchewan?
On topic - I don't know where the population is heading, or if there are a lot of corporate $ there, but Saskatoon's population is about the same to Buffalo, and we, somehow, have been able to sustain a team. Just a thought. |
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