The Second Team in Toronto Story Just Won't Die

by Zachary Zielonka on Apr 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT

The Globe and Mail today is reporting that NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and head of NHLPA Paul Kelly met last week with a group interested in putting a second team in Toronto.

Most times when a second team in Toronto or a second team in Southern Ontario is brought up, usually the effect of the Buffalo Sabres is brought into the conversation. This second team would have to pay territorial rights fees to both the Leafs and the Sabres. The main issue between the second team playing in the Toronto area and playing in Southern Ontario is the effect on the Sabres fan base.

Most of the Canadian Sabres fans that populate the come from the Hamilton area and east. The investment group is looking to put the team in Vaughn, which is about 17 miles away from Toronto. This makes more sense when looking at the situation from the Sabres perspective. The Leafs are not going to see an erosion of their fanbase when it comes to adding a second team in the area. The Rangers, Islanders, and Devils can all survive the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, the Leafs can survive with a second team.

The main note that needs to be mentioned with this is that the league is not looking to expand nor moving any teams in the near future. Which is good for this investment group because they would still need to secure financing for a new arena and the necessary amenities to put this team together. Besides, there is an arena in Kansas City that is sitting empty that would like a tenant for either NBA or NHL to move in. That would be the logical move for the league if they needed to move a team.

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Did you really have to mention Kansas City? Every time that is mentioned, I sit down at the typewriter to bang out another angry diatribe against Gary. There are soooo many other markets that are better suited for the hockey product than KC and just because AEG has a stadium burning through their pocket does not make it the best option for this league.

Did not mean to go all diatribe-y based on one sentence but mentions of KC makes me crazy.

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Apr 23, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

You know it does make sense though when AEG already has vested interest in the league with the LA Kings. Needless to say, it doesnt matter where the league decides to put in another team whether it be Toronto or Kansas City, its probably not going to happen within the next five years.

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by Zachary Zielonka on Apr 23, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

But AEG is emblematic of the hints of impropriety in the league that has dogged the NHL for years. They own the Kings and the Staples Center, they helped get loans for Boots to partially own the Predators, it was their arena the league used in BOTH London and the Czech Republic. Now, if the league goes to their arena in KC, I think it becomes more problematic.

That being said, I think with the Yotes deteriorating as quickly as they are, it will happen within the next 5 years. Apparently Bettman increased the line of credit for the NHL to prop them up for one more season. I think its highly relevant then, where a team goes in the near future. I agree with you, I don’t see any adverse impact on the Sabres if the Yotes move North of the border but I just hope its not to KC ;).

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Apr 23, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions