Time for the NHL to expand to Europe? Mon, October 6, 2008
With the NHL beginning the season in Europe for another year, do you think it is time for the NHL to explore the possibility of expanding the league across the Atlantic Ocean?
Is it in the NHL's interest to grow the game globally? Or should the league fix their problem franchises first before looking elsewhere to expand?
Have your say in our forum.
YOU SAID
24 Comments
So when did Gary Bettman ever propose European expansion. Never that I know of.
Some people in the media are making this into a story. It's not even under consideration!
It will never happen.
gordholio, 2008-10-27 06:41:27
stupid question!!!!
Players have a tough enough time coming to a beatuful city like Edmonton and settling down because their wife isn't happy(Pronger)imagine settling down in Prauge 4 time zones away, where cultural differances are much bigger, it will never work.
jimf, 2008-10-21 10:37:36
Wacky idea. Forget about it. Didn't anyone learn anything from the failed experiment called "NFL EUROPE"?
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-10-18 03:42:14
Great idea Gary (Bettman). Go back to basketball. Ideas like that should get you hired by the Leafs (sorry Leaf fans, same dim wit decisions in MLSE and NHL offices). Sounds like Gary wants to cater to the Temuu's and Mats' so their decision making will be easier. Send mats a pacifier and time to send Gary packing.
Mike, 2008-10-17 14:35:01
Sure expand all you want. Start with Canada first. Then Europe THEN the states
A hockey Fan, 2008-10-07 12:07:31
The NHL is still a gate-driven league. Expanding in Canada and/or the U.S. is the last thing they want to do. Expanding to Europe, where a large amount of players come from, is a golden opportunity to grow their brand and get a better TV contract.
moderator, 2008-10-06 14:24:37
If Gary Bettman wants to expand why not into the hotbed of hockey, with cities like Hamilton,Winnipeg,Quebec City and Saskatoon for starters. Forget about going into the States.
John, 2008-10-06 14:19:57
NO...but get Bettman a one way ticket and leave him there!
5string, 2008-10-06 12:44:13
No!!!
It's called the
NATIONAL Hockey League.
It's hard enough we have to endure watching teams like Phoenix and Florida.
The downfall of hockey was the hiring of Gary Bettman.
Joe, 2008-10-06 11:47:23
The NHL is so full of itself right now to think that European expansion will be a good fit. Basically it's no different when they were handing out expansion franchises like hotcakes in order to hold up the remaining franchises that were grossly overspending and going bust.
Things have gotten worse now with the salary cap increasing at a higher rate than before the strike, and with no major US television contract and no major sponsorship, the reliance on gate is just opening things up to disaster. So, is it a surprise then that Mr. Bettman comes up with this half-baked idea?
BTW, what exactly was that strike all about anyway?
Jody, 2008-10-06 09:56:26
Time for the NHL to expand to Europe?
Some people in the media are making this into a story. It's not even under consideration!
It will never happen.
gordholio, 2008-10-27 06:41:27
Players have a tough enough time coming to a beatuful city like Edmonton and settling down because their wife isn't happy(Pronger)imagine settling down in Prauge 4 time zones away, where cultural differances are much bigger, it will never work.
jimf, 2008-10-21 10:37:36
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-10-18 03:42:14
Mike, 2008-10-17 14:35:01
A hockey Fan, 2008-10-07 12:07:31
moderator, 2008-10-06 14:24:37
John, 2008-10-06 14:19:57
5string, 2008-10-06 12:44:13
It's called the
NATIONAL Hockey League.
It's hard enough we have to endure watching teams like Phoenix and Florida.
The downfall of hockey was the hiring of Gary Bettman.
Joe, 2008-10-06 11:47:23
Things have gotten worse now with the salary cap increasing at a higher rate than before the strike, and with no major US television contract and no major sponsorship, the reliance on gate is just opening things up to disaster. So, is it a surprise then that Mr. Bettman comes up with this half-baked idea?
BTW, what exactly was that strike all about anyway?
Jody, 2008-10-06 09:56:26