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From: lake@alberta.UUCP (Robert Lake)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: NHL Expansion, if any
Message-ID: <512@alberta.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-May-85 14:53:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: alberta.512
Posted: Fri May 24 14:53:36 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 30-May-85 04:58:16 EDT
References: <1820@watcgl.UUCP> <5566@ucla-cs.ARPA> <511@alberta.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
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I don't think it would be too bad if the NHL were to expand, but they 
have to pick the right cities to expand with.  It seems to me that there
are some cities which are ripe for expansion - most of these either have
a good core of hockey fans, or are the home town of many of today's NHL
stars.  To me, the number one city ready for expansion is Saskatoon or
Regina - the province is full of rabid hockey fans and they have been
trying for years to get into the league.  Aside from the "merger" of the
NHL with the WHA, NHL owners have always resisted from expanding in
Canada in favor of the more lucrative U.S. market (and a U.S. television
contract).  I think most of the past fiascos have been directly attributed
to poor choices of expansion sites.  The league could have been more solid
than it is today if they had directed most of their expansion efforts to
the cities which form the grassroots of hockey in North America - Canada
and the North (Eastern) U.S.  I also think there is enough good hockey
talent out there to easily support a 24 team league.

					Robert Lake (alberta!lake)
					University of Alberta

P.S.  It is sure nice to see all the Flyer fans crawl out of the woodwork to
feast on the crumbs of the Flyer's first (and last) victory in the Finals!
Oh well, the Oiler fumigation team will be mopping up next Thursday and
the remains of the Flyers will be shipped home C.O.D. for burial. (:-) :-))

P.P.S.  All flames will be gladly received and extinguished!