speculation that expansion to Quebec City & the GTA could be part of the near future?

yeah cause everyone in Canada would really care all that much if they added two more teams, that would just totally make my life, for realz.

and i don't know for sure, but i'm guessing that while Winnipeggers are happy that they have a team once again, they still aren't all that fond of Gary.

makes sense

obv lots of issues to work out, but yep that's a lot of money (esp wrt to the TML), and owners love to take that expansion fee cheddar

also if one of those markets is a no-go, think i heard Seattle just got approval for that arena deal...

but yeah it's pretty win-win in the sense that it's more money for owners, more jobs for players, more teams in profitable markets (in the short term at least), etc

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl...0812--nhl.html

Down Goes Brown ‏@DownGoesBrown

A condensed schedule would make backup goalies crucial, which would be great news for teams like the Leafs who have two.

rofl

Realignment w/ Expansion?:

the one problem i see if the need to break up either the tri-state trinity between the NYR, NYI, & NJD or the Pennsylvania duo to make it fit, regardless of whether they add another team in Ontario & Quebec, or if Seattle is in the mix.

the former scenario first...

Pacific-Western Division: Canucks, Oilers, Flames, Sharks, Kings, Ducks, Coyotes, Avalanche
Midwest-Central Division: Jets, Wild, Stars, Blackhawks, Blues, Blue Jackets, Predators, Red Wings
Northeast Division: Maple Leafs, Senators, Sabres, Canadiens, Bruins, Penguins, [GREATER TORONTO AREA], [QUEBEC CITY]
Atlantic-Southeast Division: Hurricanes, Lightning, Panthers, Capitals, Flyers, Rangers, Islanders, Devils

but if you add in Seattle and only one of GTA/QC, it almost works out a little better...

P-W: Canucks, Oilers, Flames, Sharks, Kings, Ducks, Coyotes, [SEATTLE]
- more Western teams always helps the balance

MW-C: Avalanche, Jets, Wild, Stars, Blackhawks, Blues, Blue Jackets, Predators
- it would also allow Colorado to move East, which is probably a good thing?

NE: Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Senators, Sabres, Canadiens, Bruins, Penguins, [GTA / QC]
- and of course Detroit gets their wish and moves to the EC

A-SE: Hurricanes, Lightning, Panthers, Capitals, Flyers, Rangers, Islanders, Devils
- and the rest...

If they tacked the missing games on to the end of the season, when would the finals be played?

One extra game every 5 weeks? I thought we were way beyond that.

think i heard them say they don't want to extend the season, so the schedule would most likely just be compressed. which means the same number of games in fewer days. which means an assload of injuries, call-ups, and crappy play. bc neither side wants to give up any money this year by having a 70 game season or something.

just another FU to the fans... (we don't matter, if you haven't figured that out by now)

Michael Grange ‏@michaelgrange

There will be a conference call for #NHLPA executive board and negotiating committee today at 5 p.m. About 60 players. #NHL

Pretty good chance the players turn this down right? Aren't they still firm on wanting 0 paycuts (from their previous 57%)? I've been a pessimist on this all along but I hope I'm wrong.

Also, Geddy

50/50 with no rollback? I'd be surprised if they turned it down.

Related to what Sedin said, a question for the Canadians. Is the entire country of Canada supposed to be excited if there's a new team in Hamilton or wherever? I don't get it.

This kind of relates to when there's a Canadian team in the playoffs, and the media makes it seem like the entire country is behind that team.

montreal fans like beating quebec

thats about it tho

Yeah I guess that's the upside. If there was a new team in Ontario, then that's another team that Toronto would always beat in the playoffs (assuming they ever make the playoffs again).

I was genuinely excited for Winnipeg because they lost a team before. Id rather see some more teams in cities that care (vs more Atlanta/Florida/Phoenix cities). Whether that's Seattle, Hamilton, or Mexico City I don't particularly care. I would like to see QC get a team back though.

I'm also completely jacked about this news. Ironic that I just got my minipack refund today.

NHL adding more teams? lol sounds about right, what ****ing ******s.

The NHL should just change to 15 teams in the GTA and 15 teams in Montreal. PROFIT CITY!

dude, did you miss the part where expansion might allow the WANGZ to move back to an Eastern Conference division where you can beat up on the Leafs 6 times per year?

Leafs would have to love bringing in a GTA team + QC as well, two expansion teams within the division = playoff equity through the roof!

(not to mention expansion fees + territorial rights $$$ + Rogers/Bell would probably wind up with the TV rights to the new teams = lol @ the teachers for selling)

But then who will be the 16th team for the Montreal teams to play in the playoffs?

fehr seems happy

LETS GOOOOOOOO

Question from a moran here

If a deal gets done, what happens with players that have signed with European clubs? Can they come back or are they stuck?

afaik the deals they sign in lockouts all have "out" clauses that let them come back to the NHL.

All of them have clauses in case that happens and get to comeback ASAP.

from reading tsn i have always gotten the sense that this is true. am i wrong?

this thread is way too optimistic. today's offer is a start, but there's still 6 more weeks of winter

Only when Edmonton and Calgary were in the finals did the whole country support them (except for Edmonton and Calgary of course.) But I feel that Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver all are the big dogs who people will hate no matter what. If Winnipeg, Hamilton, Quebec City, Markham, etc, were in the finals, most of Canada would be excited. That is for sure.

Yep, haha, Fehr basically said as much.

And I have a feeling if some version of this owners deal isn't signed for the Nov 2 season, the owners are basically just going to say "Ok well, we tried to get the season going in good faith, see you in a month." Might cause a shift in the PR battle too.