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Hockey: News and Discussion Thread
05-24-2007, 08:54 AM
#9401
Interesting. Interesting.
Originally Posted by fdl
In other news, it looks like Balsillie has purchased the Nashville Predators. I'm guessing he will move the team somewhere near the Toronto area. Pittsburgh would have been a lot nicer.
Where? Hamilton? Kichener?I'm going to channel dom's predicting powers and say he'll move the team to Yellowknife or Moosejaw.
05-24-2007, 09:07 AM
#9402
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by wstevens
Where? Hamilton? Kichener?I'm going to channel dom's predicting powers and say he'll move the team to Yellowknife or Moosejaw.
Bolton FTW!
stevens, your wife will know exactly where that is.
05-24-2007, 11:28 AM
#9404
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by wstevens
Jokeville FTW!
Too bad Balsillie didn't buy Anaheim. It would have been great having a Stanley Cup champion in the TO area.
After what happened with Pittsburgh I'd expect the NHL to give him one hell of a hard time moving the Preds.
05-24-2007, 01:19 PM
#9405
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Not too many people can...did you see the empty seats at the Honda Center last night. 
I'll be the one wearing a Sharks jersey rooting for the Sens. lol
05-24-2007, 03:19 PM
#9407
Senior Moderator
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - Craig Leipold, the owner of the Nashville Predators, confirmed Thursday that he has entered into a letter of agreement to sell the NHL franchise to Waterloo, Ont., businessman Jim Balsillie for US$220 million.
"This is truly one of the toughest days of my life," said Leipold. "I poured my heart and soul into this franchise for 10 years."
The sale must be closed by June 30. Approval before that date from the NHL's board of governors would be required.
Attendance at Predators home games in 2006-2007 averaged just over 13,500 - 2,000 below the NHL average, even with some of the lowest ticket prices. The team amassed 110 points - third-best in the league - but still lost US$15 million.
"It's time to give someone else the chance to take the Nashville Predators to the next level," Leipold said during a news conference.
Leipold predicted that "we'll have hockey here for a long time" if attendance improves. A default clause in the team's arena lease can be triggered June 19 to give one-year notice of departure if attendance remains below 14,000 during the 2007-2008 season.
"I have come to the conclusion I can not make it work here," said Leipold.
There has been plenty of speculation about the team's future in Nashville.
Balsillie, who went through a sale process with the Penguins, said he is respectful of all the "due diligence" required before the deal can close.
"This is still Craig Leipold's franchise until the deal is completed, so for me to comment at this time on any number of topics relative to the franchise would not be appropriate," Balsillie said in a statement.
He said he planned to visit Nashville, talk with Predators fans and "become more familiar with the community" once the deal is final.
"This is truly one of the toughest days of my life," said Leipold. "I poured my heart and soul into this franchise for 10 years."
The sale must be closed by June 30. Approval before that date from the NHL's board of governors would be required.
Attendance at Predators home games in 2006-2007 averaged just over 13,500 - 2,000 below the NHL average, even with some of the lowest ticket prices. The team amassed 110 points - third-best in the league - but still lost US$15 million.
"It's time to give someone else the chance to take the Nashville Predators to the next level," Leipold said during a news conference.
Leipold predicted that "we'll have hockey here for a long time" if attendance improves. A default clause in the team's arena lease can be triggered June 19 to give one-year notice of departure if attendance remains below 14,000 during the 2007-2008 season.
"I have come to the conclusion I can not make it work here," said Leipold.
There has been plenty of speculation about the team's future in Nashville.
Balsillie, who went through a sale process with the Penguins, said he is respectful of all the "due diligence" required before the deal can close.
"This is still Craig Leipold's franchise until the deal is completed, so for me to comment at this time on any number of topics relative to the franchise would not be appropriate," Balsillie said in a statement.
He said he planned to visit Nashville, talk with Predators fans and "become more familiar with the community" once the deal is final.
05-25-2007, 01:34 PM
#9408
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Originally Posted by dom
A Hockey team in Nashville. Still trying to figure out how that happened. How many people were asleep at the wheel that day.
05-25-2007, 01:46 PM
#9409
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by stixbc
I agree. Low attendance despite low ticket prices and having a great year like they did?? That's a sign it's not going to work no matter what. Seems to me the new owner will be moving the franchise elsewhere after this coming season.
05-25-2007, 02:49 PM
#9411
Interesting. Interesting.
Originally Posted by SG81
all of them apparently
This is a good article:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...2/b3915648.htm
05-25-2007, 02:52 PM
#9412
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by wstevens
Gary Bettman ruined in the NHL.
This is a good article:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...2/b3915648.htm
This is a good article:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...2/b3915648.htm
I said that back on page 2.
The guy knows next to nothing about hockey. Him still being the commissioner is a greater mystery than how a hockey team got put in Nashville.
05-25-2007, 02:56 PM
#9414
Senior Moderator
The NHL's image in the US is bad enough. And most Americans don't know where Edmonton, Calgary or in some cases even where Toronto is.
Could you imagine Balsillie moving the Preds to Kitchener/Waterloo?? Talk about image problems.
IMO, the Greater Toronto Area could easily sustain another team. A team would flourish in the 905. Mississauga would be the perfect location.
Could you imagine Balsillie moving the Preds to Kitchener/Waterloo?? Talk about image problems.
IMO, the Greater Toronto Area could easily sustain another team. A team would flourish in the 905. Mississauga would be the perfect location.
05-25-2007, 03:04 PM
#9415
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by fdl
Its too bad he did so well in breaking the player unions back, because that will keep his job secure for a while.
05-25-2007, 03:05 PM
#9416
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by dom
The NHL's image in the US is bad enough. And most Americans don't know where Edmonton, Calgary or in some cases even where Toronto is.
Could you imagine Balsillie moving the Preds to Kitchener/Waterloo?? Talk about image problems.
IMO, the Greater Toronto Area could easily sustain another team. A team would flourish in the 905. Mississauga would be the perfect location.
Could you imagine Balsillie moving the Preds to Kitchener/Waterloo?? Talk about image problems.
IMO, the Greater Toronto Area could easily sustain another team. A team would flourish in the 905. Mississauga would be the perfect location.
05-28-2007, 04:02 PM
#9418
The sizzle in the Steak
Go Sens Go
05-28-2007, 08:08 PM
#9421
Interesting. Interesting.
Originally Posted by joerockt
WTF...No wonder I dont watch hockey as much anymore...The finals arent even on a major network??? 
It's not a major sport.
05-28-2007, 08:28 PM
#9422
Just dial 1911
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Originally Posted by wstevens
It's not a major sport.
05-28-2007, 09:49 PM
#9423
I shoot people
05-28-2007, 09:52 PM
#9425
The sizzle in the Steak
Ottawa phoned in the 3rd period. Outshot 2-1 in the 3rd.
20 sog total for the Sens!?!?!?!
20 sog total for the Sens!?!?!?!
05-29-2007, 08:30 AM
#9427
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by joerockt
This is the first year I havent seen the finals on a major network. Looks like NBC will broadcast starting with game 3.
No word yet on how much of the game they'll be carrying. Word has it they are cutting over to a a rerun of Barbaro's funeral midway through the 2nd period.
lol @ liddelled.
05-29-2007, 10:22 AM
#9428
Just dial 1911
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Originally Posted by dom
No word yet on how much of the game they'll be carrying. Word has it they are cutting over to a a rerun of Barbaro's funeral midway through the 2nd period.
lol @ liddelled.
lol @ liddelled.
05-29-2007, 10:24 AM
#9429
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by dom
No word yet on how much of the game they'll be carrying. Word has it they are cutting over to a a rerun of Barbaro's funeral midway through the 2nd period.
lol @ liddelled.
lol @ liddelled.
NBC
05-30-2007, 09:42 PM
#9430
I shoot people
05-30-2007, 09:52 PM
#9432
I shoot people
05-30-2007, 11:10 PM
#9433
Senior Moderator
:ibWaldorfsrantandspew:
05-31-2007, 08:54 AM
#9435
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by wstevens
I still believe dom's prediction of a Ducks 4-1 series win is wrong.
I wish I could take credit for saying Ducks in 5 but I didn't predict the number of games. Looks like a 4-1 win now though.
The real Daniel Alfredsen and the Ottawa Senators have finally shown up.
