Should Canada get another NHL team, and if so, where?

Question

Citing "a secret NHL report detailing the ticket revenues of its 30 teams," a recent news report reveals that the six Canadian hockey teams account for "31 per cent of the $1.1 billion (U.S.) in league ticket revenue." Many are using this news to renew calls to have another NHL team in Canada.

What do you think? Should Canada have another NHL team, and if so, where should it be?

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Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

The most logical choice would be southern Ontario, in the Kitchner-Waterloo area. The population growth is off the charts, and with Leafs tickets an overpriced pipe dream, a second team would make every sense.

In the short run they would probably have to play at Copps, and then move into a purpose-built facility in K-W.

My point of contention is that there are more teams in the NY/NJ area (three) and the state of California (three) than in the province of Ontario (two).

Winnipeg and Quebec City are not sustainable (Winnipeg being a romantic choice though), for Quebec City the tax situation is a huge non-starter.

Adding a 7th Canadian team would also, in theory at least, make the next round of Canadian rights fee bidding interesting. Would Global/CTV try to come in and bid for the CBC package given a second GTA franchise, and what of the cable package?

The wild card is that the Canadian teams have had a huge boost with the exchange rate, which was murder several years ago. Obviously if we're back to 62 cent CDN this is a nonstarter.

The corollary is that the impact in the US would be negligible, at best as the big-market US teams are not relocation targets. Plus, the free-to-air broadcaster pays zero upfront rights fees (NBC).

It's time for the NHL to realize that its "Southern Strategy" has been, at best, a mixed blessing. Sure, teams like Dallas, San Jose, and (to a limited extent) Anaheim could be called successes, Atlanta, Florida, Nashville are all disasters (poor attendance, money losing, tv ratings are poor). Carolina and Tampa, despite winning Cups, have very fickle fan bases. Phoenix should be doing better. Minnesota and Denver aren't southern but made sense and both teams have done well.

Answer 2

they have enough.

Answer 3

I'd say Winnipeg.

Answer 4

i thik that winnepeg and quebec should get one

Answer 5

there isn't any big cities left in canada that doesn't have a hockey team.

Answer 6

If it is an economically superior option to present or future locations in the US, then they should and will get a team. Owners are millionaires for a reason. They aren't dumb. If they can make more coin elsewhere, they will.

Answer 7

Moose Jaw

Answer 8

Since the Jets moved to Phoenix, I've thought Winnipeg should get one again. Same with Quebec. Unlike the Sabres, have a team near the border but on the Canadian side.

Answer 9

Every major city in Canada should have one and they should get the teams out of the southern states

Answer 10

Winnipeg and Quebec are probably my first two choices if I were to put a team in Canada.

Oshawa and Hamilton are also 2 that come to my mind.

Answer 11

I don't think so. Where would you put it? Winnipeg and Quebec City both had small old arenas and are small markets with only about 700k people. Neither of those cities has much in the way of corporate support which would be required as much if not more than putting 17k fans in the arena every night. All the large markets have a team.

Winnipeg built a new SMALLER arena. I don't think Quebec City built a new arena at all.

Answer 12

Three teams. One in Southern Ontario and the other two back in both Winnipeg and Quebec City.

Answer 13

First of all, the report mentioned was made public, and was for the 2005-2006 season. In 2006-2007 US ticket revenue increased and there was a further increase in 2007-08

Second of all. Montreal and Toronto are the biggest providers of that ticket revenue. The economies in those two cities, and the fans propensity towards the game have allowed them to have the highest ticket prices in the league.

No other cities in Canada have the economies to sustain the ticket revenues of Toronto and Montreal.

Again, one of the owners of the Winnipeg Jets tried to make a case for buying the Pittsburgh Penguins. In order to make it viable, he needed $90 average tickets. That is higher than Toronto's $88 and Montreal's $83. Nobody in Winnipeg would pay $37 15 years ago, and nobody in Winnipeg will pay $90 today.

Answer 14

Winnipeg should get there team back!!!!

Answer 15

Yes, we absolutely need a new team, and it should be located just below the Arctic circle. The Inuvik Polar Bears. Catchy eh?

Answer 16

We should have another NHL team!!.............Hamilton or Kitchener

Answer 17

winnipeg should definatly get one back

Answer 18

I think Canada should get another NHL Team. It should be Windsor ,Ont.

Answer 19

Saskatchewan should get the new team since most the decent players come from here.

Answer 20

THEY SHOULD PUT IT IN SASKATCHEWAN!! PERFERBLY REGINA OR SASKATOON. (i wish)

Answer 21

Winnipeg, Regina, London, and Quebec City are the most viable candidates.

Answer 22

Bring the Canadian team back to Winnipeg, or Quebec.

Answer 23

With all the separation talks and whatnot going on, Quebec does not deserve a team. Give it to Winnipeg, or go out on a limb and let Hamilton have one.

Answer 24

Yes, we most definitely should and the team should be from a Province/territory that doesn't have a team yet. Manitoba or Saskatchewan would be good choices. NOT Ontario though - they already have enough

Answer 25

I totally agree with Winnipeg getting a team again.

Answer 26

I'd go with Winnipeg as well. Hamilton too close to other teams in area, Toronto and Buffalo...get more exposure to other parts of Canada.

Answer 27

This one is pretty easy to answer this question. It should be winnipeg or Quebec city. Plus why would you have a team in america that sucks and nobody will come to watch them play. I think that Florida team should be deleted.

Answer 28

Hamilton.

Answer 29

The last thing the bloated NHL needs is another crappy team.

Answer 30

Nunavut is 1st & only logical choice

Answer 31

PUT HAMILTON IN AS WELL..