Why Not Canada?

TSN has just finished up their six-part series about the NHL adding more teams in Canada, and if you haven’t had a chance to catch it yet, you absolutely need to. Dave Naylor takes a look at each prospective market, and gauges the different variables (profitability, economic stability, population..etc) that would factor into the viability of a potential franchise in Winnepeg, Hamilton, Quebec City, and Toronto.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is Naylor’s interview with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who offers some interesting insight on the tantalizing possibility of adding or relocating franchises back to Canada. Click over to TSN.ca and check out the entire six-part series first, but here’s the interview with Bettman:

Bettman:

“I’d like fans to know that we’re very focused on the issue, and we have been, and that we know that they are at least a couple of markets that with the new economic system that we’ve had over the last few years, that is it quite possible that with the right ownership and the right arena arrangement, that we could have additional teams in Canada…but it’s not going to happen overnight, and people need to be patient”

From the tone of this interview, it really seems like the League is looking closer at new teams in Canada than it has in a very long time. Some of the economic issues have changed, and with the introduction of a decent salary cap, smaller-budget teams can compete in the new NHL. It’s tough to say which city out of these four (Winnepeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Quebec City) would be the best, but looking at the economic issues, Winnepeg seems to come out on the top.

A second team in Toronto, as profitable as it may be, would likely be mired in a ton of legal issues, as the Leafs have already told the NHL that they could ‘Veto’ any new expansion team in their turf. Hamilton could be a solid location as well, but their close proximity to Toronto and Buffalo is enough to keep the NHL away for quite some time. Quebec City would definitely support a franchise, but the NHL has made it clear that they would not place a second team in Quebec unless Quebec City builds a new arena. Winnepeg has the arena, the fanbase, and the bustling economy that could support a team immediately – in fact, the NHL released a statement during the Phoenix ownership debacle admitting that they had already drawn up an emergency schedule for the Jets if a buyer hadn’t surfaced by December for the Coyotes.

Interesting documentary from TSN, and it’s exactly the kind of complete and in-depth look needed to gauge the viability of any Canadian relocation or expansion.

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