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23 Comments

1. VT Caps Fan wrote:

   I wish they took pittsburg last year…

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 8:12 am | Permalink
2. Tony wrote:

   An interesting take, I’m not enthusiastic because KC has been used as a bargaining chip so many times but I like this post. I’m linking.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 8:51 am | Permalink
3. TG wrote:

   Tony,

   So you mean like DC and baseball? Yeah, been there my friend.

   And despite all the changes to the city, doesn’t it seem like all people can point at are the negatives (the Scouts leaving, the attendance woes of the Royals — despite ownership that doesn’t give a damn AND doesn’t care who knows it).

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 9:27 am | Permalink
4. OrderedChaos wrote:

   Tony & TG, good points — DC was used as a gambit for baseball, but finally (and after much heartbreak) got a team. Hopefully KC’s time as a hockey bargaining chip will pay off as well, and soon.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 9:40 am | Permalink
5. Andrew wrote:

   I would rather see an eastern conference team go west, allowing for a realignment to get the Caps back with its traditional rivals, rather than this SE Division BS.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 10:51 am | Permalink
6. OrderedChaos wrote:

   Agreed Andrew. While some rivalry has developed in the SE, and next season’s schedule re-balancing will improve things as well, I’d still rather see the Caps playing the old Patrick Division rivals more.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 11:27 am | Permalink
7. Gmann wrote:

   I lived in KC for years, back in the days of the old IHL Kansas City Blades (Mike Pivonka did some time there, wearing #12) before they ceased existence. Kemper Arena was sub par - hello, roof collapse - and there is a strong pull for hockey in that area. I hope KC gets the Preds, the city will love the team and the team will certainly love the city.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 12:03 pm | Permalink
8. Matt wrote:

   Rumor in CBUS is that Columbus is the country’s 15th largest city…while their math is fuzzy and I don’t personally buy in to it all - just saying that stats can be made to say what you want them too.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 12:17 pm | Permalink
9. OrderedChaos wrote:

   Interesting, Matt. I just threw in Columbus and San Jose for comparison purposes, no slight intended to either market.

   If you were curious, I used the official OMB (US Office of Management and Budget) population statistics and metropolitan area definitions for 2006, so I’m pretty confident in the numbers. But you’re right, statistics can certainly be manipulated to prove pretty much anything.

   Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 12:39 pm | Permalink
10. pepper wrote:

    Its a complete joke and a tragedy that Bettman rejected a guy like Balsillie into the NHL owners fraternity because he didn’t want him to move the Predators to Hamilton.

    It makes no sense whatsoever to keep force-feeding American markets that won’t support or appreciate hockey while hungry and lucrative markets like Southern Ontario go without a team. Bettman’s dream of making the NHL a truly national, rather than a Canadian and US-regional game, is over.

    Heck, Toronto could support another team, if you could get past a Leafs objection. There are three teams in New York, so why not?

    In an ideal world, Atlanta, Florida, and Nashville (or Phoenix?) would all move to Canada and the Caps would go into a re-worked division with our old rivals.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 1:17 pm | Permalink
11. MulletMan wrote:

    Interesting viewpoint pepper. You may be right about Ontario, I am having a hard time getting tickets to some OHL games coming up.
    Sorry but I couldn’t resist…
    I think Winnipeg would really like a team. Why not move Phoenix there?

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
12. Scott wrote:

    As a 17-year former resident of KC, I would be really hard pressed to see them embrace the Preds. The Penguins with Sid, Malkin, etc? Probably.

    If Nashville moves to KC, the “growth” would be similar to Carolina IMO.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
13. Eli Resnick wrote:

    If K.C.’s previous history is supposed to prove anything, we should also look at what happened the next time a team tried to move into Rockies territory.

    And I’ll agree that one can say anything with statistics. Just the other day someone tried to tell me Butch Cassidy was the second-best first-year coach in Washington Capitals history.

    I think everyone agrees it’s a difficult marketing job, pushing hockey in the South, but with success stories like the Capitals, Hurricanes, Lightning, Ducks and Avalanche, it’s tough to blame people for trying. Looks to me like they’re still hoping to find a tipping point to where they’ll become relevant programming in the South. Maybe a couple winning teams K.C. and Houston would do it. Probably not, but I’m not a billionaire, so what do I know?

    As far as Canadian expansion goes, the economics hinge heavily on currency markets If the Canadian dollar stays equal to the American dollar for over a year after America gets free of its present administration, Winnipeg and Hamilton should get their teams.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 3:46 pm | Permalink
14. Grooven wrote:

    As nice as it would be, I don’t see the NHL doing it. Afterall, if the league turns away the highest bidder for a team — the Penguins — to keep them in Pittsburgh, I’m not sure they’re resigned to let the Predators leave and start the marketing all over again… not yet anyway.

    Then once they do get to that point, I’m not convinced KC will be the winner. As sad an excuse as it may be, it’s not perceived as glamourous. Seattle? Vegas? (riiiight. Betcha Gretzky’s wife would make him leave Phoenix for it) Back to Winnipeg, or Hamilton?

    Rightly so or not, they all have a hook that’s something glitzier than corn and farmers. No, I’m not saying that’s all KC has to offer, but it is perception and yes, the league will deny it but, it seems pretty evident to me that rural is not the market the NHL is looking for.

    Will KC win out? Possibly, but I see it too much as a threat used by the league than as an actual potential destination. I hope I’m wrong.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 5:51 pm | Permalink
15. BE wrote:

    A team would be great in Kansas City. A city with food like this needs hockey ! http://roadfood.com/Restaurants/SearchResults.aspx?st=restaurants&ps=1&s=&c=kansas%20city&kw=&pkw=&ob=restaurantname

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 8:50 pm | Permalink
16. pepper wrote:

    Get me a Meat Tray and a Burnt End sandwich!

    Seriously though, I did visit KC once and found there to be some good eatin’ and good music. Just doesn’t seem at all like a town that would support hockey long-term.

    Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 11:28 pm | Permalink
17. OrderedChaos wrote:

    I too went to KC once (back in 2000) for a week-long business trip. It was a blast, catching great blues in little Westport clubs and, of course, sampling the terrific BBQ and steaks. Fun town… and growing quickly.

    Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 12:18 am | Permalink
18. KC Resident wrote:

    Having lived in KC for the last 12 years, I can tell you the city is growing.

    The arena is not on the Plaza, it’s about 5 miles north in Downtown, which is where the growth is finally taking place - after decades of neglect.

    As for getting a team, I believe the AEG offered free rent AND a sizeable portion of ALL revenues from the Arena. Also, one of AEG’s bigwigs is also on the board of the NHL, so he should have some pull.

    Next, would the city support the team? Not sure. However, the Royals average 11,000 - for a team that has lost 100+ games 4 of the last 6 years and hasn’t been to the playoffs since 1985. The Chiefs haven’t won a playoff game since 1993, and they sell out every game. Plus there is a local group that has been pushing for an NHL franchise as long as I’ve been here. However, the MLS franchise only draws about 5,000 - and they won the MLS championship a few years ago.

    In the end, it will come down to winning. It won’t matter if the team is an expansion team or transplant - if the team doesn’t win early, there won’t be much support. Judging by the recent Arena League team, there will be a lot of ticket sales the first year, but if they don’t win, the sales will drop off the 2nd year.

    Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 1:08 am | Permalink
19. bettman blows wrote:

    The NHL at this point could not handle expansion but maybe relocation and changing some of the divisions up.
    Id like to see FLA or PHX moved before NSH i think the city could somehow still support it. Possible move NSH to EAST CONF. new South Div.
    TB,ATL,CAR,NSH & ?
    I would be nice to see a division w/ CLB,DET,STL,CHI and KC. Also i really wish SEA would get a franchise. The new Pacfic Div feat ANA,LA,SJ,SEA&VAN.

    Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 5:26 pm | Permalink
20. peter gozinya wrote:

    Kansas City cannot handle a hockey team. They are too much of a fairweather city. They cant even support their baseball team. The Royals need to be shipped out of town so they can get some support. Kansas City already lost one hockey team so what makes them think they can keep another?

    Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
21. JOSH wrote:

    I lived in kc for a few years from southwest mo and i think KC would be able to keep a team here. KC is a great sports city and have been hungry for a team for along time. Now i know the royals havent been great on fan support well you need to look at he ownership david glass owner of the royals has more money than 90% of the owners in the MLB and has one of the lowest caps hes cheap and dont really seem to care and how do you think we feel when you dont seem to want to build a winning team hell at least try, The chiefs god bless them but the Hunt family has done alot for KC and we embrace are chiefs win or lose, So just putting a NHL team here would be great and do just find here its the ownership is the most important part, Iam getting tired of driving to STL to see games so i hope we land one soon, lets expand kc get a team and Clevland,cincinnati,houston,seattle, indiaplois or would be cool if Canada got another one ..

    Monday, December 10, 2007 at 3:05 am | Permalink
22. Cody wrote:

    I would love NHL in KC as someone that attended almost all blades games until the end. I miss hockey and haveing to travel to see a good hockey game. I don’t really mind making it out to hockeytown at joe lewis But I will have season tickets for the seasons that NHL stays in KC

    Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 9:40 pm | Permalink
23. Don wrote:

    Having lived in KC when the Blues were here (before becoming the Rivermen), then later in DC (Caps), Atlanta (Thrasher), St Louis (”real” Blues), near Nashville (Preds), and now back in KC (well, out in the ‘burbs), I can see a possibility for the Preds.

    Nashville has never been a good “mix” for any “pro” team (it is “college sports” country - I’ve seen them follow a UT QB and NFL team). While they do sell a few tickets (not the 14,000 they want), they do not sell the other stuff (sweaters, hats, etc.). I’ve sat in their venue and had to “teach” fans (wearing $300 worth of Preds stuff) basic hockey - pretty sad.

    I could easily see a KC team “selling out” any time they played the Blues or Wings (their fans would drive here easily).

    Just more of my thoughts, but the city could get behind something that could bring more conventions (ones that only needed the few hotel rooms we have downtown) too.

    Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 10:47 am | Permalink

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