A bag full of gems - the futures so bright, shades don't cut it anymore

[oldnews]

5 hours ago, IBatch said:

The Jets deserve the props, after Hawerchuk played in Gretzky’s shadow (and later Lemuiex as well), as the best offensive player in the 80’s.   WNP might of made some noise if it weren’t for the Albertan teams, they had a very good team too.

they also got the shaft at a very inopportune time - when they were accumulating some great talent - and got dismembered and shipped to a desert in a moronic NHL attempt to sell hockey in stupid markets at the expense of core Canadian hockey cities.

almost as stupid (for different reasons) as the CFL's attempt to expand into the US.

[IBatch]

41 minutes ago, oldnews said:

they also got the shaft at a very inopportune time - when they were accumulating some great talent - and got dismembered and shipped to a desert in a moronic NHL attempt to sell hockey in stupid markets at the expense of core Canadian hockey cities.

almost as stupid (for different reasons) as the CFL's attempt to expand into the US.

Yep, speaking to good friends of the ownership group back then it was an unmitigated disaster prompted by untimely US dollar highs and the political desire to have a team in ARI.  Fans absolutely were behind them 100%, selling tickets wasn’t a problem.  

That team took awhile to not feel like WNP, and even their new one has some ATL stink left on it, but at least they corrected a wrong.  Not enough for the NHL to put a team back in Quebec City, despite what was a world class 400 million dollar arena that’s closer to a decade older now then one...collecting dust.  I’m glad there’s more jobs and hope for Canadian kids to get to the show now with 32 teams on the horizon, but Seattle all but puts the last nail in the coffin to see any interprovincial rivalries happening with MTL anytime soon. Sad.  Relocation is their only hope now, with both ARI Zane CAR continue to struggle to fill seats, but the CAP and revenue sharing keeps them going, as does the leagues ownership stakeholders.   It wouldn’t be surprising to see those dolts push for 36, then 40 teams.  Personally I’d rather see retraction, go back to six teams per division, where .500 hockey was good enough for a spot and when only the best could make it and stick, better product and higher chance of making rivalries, and each team has favourable odds in winning a cup every 1/4 century.

 

 

Edit:  the wild cards have proven interesting, but it’s still unpalatable that the best teams from each conference don’t necessarily make it each year, with weak divisions guaranteed 3 spots.

[Baggins]

11 hours ago, oldnews said:

they also got the shaft at a very inopportune time - when they were accumulating some great talent - and got dismembered and shipped to a desert in a moronic NHL attempt to sell hockey in stupid markets at the expense of core Canadian hockey cities.

almost as stupid (for different reasons) as the CFL's attempt to expand into the US.

The problem in the Peg and QC wasn't fan support. It was crappy arena's, and players salaries shifting to the USD, which was strong at the time. Both cities had small arenas and both asked their respective city and province for financial help to build new arenas. Both were turned down. As a result both teams were sold to US owners. Even the "new" arena in Winnipeg isn't actually NHL size coming in around 3000 seats short.

 

Griffiths had dreams of adding an NBA team but needed a new arena for it to happen. He asked the city and province to help and was also turned down. He did the new arena himself but went into so much debt it ultimately cost him the Canucks.

 

There's a big difference between the US and Canada when it comes to this. US cities, and states, see the value of having pro sports. The jobs they create, the benefit to businesses around the venue (more jobs), and a team full of millionaire spending added to the city. As a result in the US both city and state government are often willing to help with the cost of new arena's and stadiums. Completely different attitude from local government down there compared to Canada.

 

As to "stupid markets" if you want a national broadcast deal you actually need a national sport. Which meant getting teams into non-traditional markets in the southern US. Success certainly wouldn't happen over night. But I will say this: had Phoenix not had an NHL team Matthews wouldn't be an NHL star today. Kids playing hockey in Arizona has increased more than 10 fold. The same happened in Texas when the Stars relocated. No it's not over night. It take will a generation or more. It's a long term plan. Very long. Some cities will succeed, others won't. It does make sense in the long term though to grow the sport, something adding teams in Canada doesn't actually do. For example, adding a team in QC doesn't grow the sport it simply redirects hockey fans from the Habs to the Nords. A change in loyalty rather than growth by actually attracting new fans to the game.

[Battlemonger]

On ‎2018‎-‎10‎-‎22 at 11:59 AM, komodo0921 said:

One name that, I think, should be added to that list is Matt Brassard.

I remember when JB used Guillaume Brisebois and Matt Brassard as two prospects representing the future of our blue line. People scoffed him and criticized his comment.

Now Brisebois is looking more promising by the game and Brassard is looking to be putting a big exclamation mark on his final season in the "O."

If he continues to develop and maintains his offensive punch; Might he be destined for a top four spot?

Am I reaching? 

Perhaps, but JB has a knack for finding gems in the later rounds and Brassard, at least early, is improving on last seasons totals.

Brassard turning into an NHLcalibre defender would be huge for Vancouver. A sizey, right hand shot is precisely what we need.

I believe he's going to earn a pro contract and should be added to the bag.

 

Yeah. I thought of Brassard in the same grouping as Woo. Brassard is doing well - a point per game in the CHL is great for a D.

[oldnews]

On 10/23/2018 at 2:01 AM, Baggins said:

The problem in the Peg and QC wasn't fan support.

no one said it was.  hence the stupidity of moving their team.  arena-blackmail.