OT: Minor League hockey for KC?

by cmkeller on May 31, 2011 3:28 PM EDT

With the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg, the AHL's Manitoba Moose will be looking for a new home. Would KC support an AHL team in the Sprint Center? (Perhaps they'd change the name to Missouri Moose, to keep the alliteration?) Or would Kansas Citians support only the NHL (to whatever degree they'll support hockey at all), watching Nassau County drag its feet on a new Islanders arena, and counting the days until their lease runs out in 2015?

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I heard they were on their way

to St. John’s NF…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

NL

sorry, I’m a bit rusty on my Canadian provincial codes…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I see that on Wikipedia now, though I’d also heard Thunder Bay, Ontario for a bit. Still, it didn’t seem to be set in stone.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on May 31, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I really hope they get the reallignment done for this year

Because St John’s to Abbotsford, BC would be one epic road trip. 3100 miles one way.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on May 31, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

it seems strange that Vancouver’s primary affiliate would be clear across the continent, but then TCU is now in the Big East so, yeah…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

speaking of reallignment

who goes to the Eastern Conference? I’m hearing talk of the Red Wings but to me that doesn’t seem quite right. To break up rivalries with the Blackhawks and the Blues and I suppose the Avalanche as well would be too much. Not to mention it really has been the Western Conference’s marquis team since 1997 (as much as I hate to type those words).

I think it should be Columbus…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure

Someone is going to pissed whatever you do.

Detroit have begging to go East for ages, so I suspect they’ll get it, but I don’t think they should.

If I was in charge, I’d move Nashville East, and into the South East. Then you are kind of set. You could leave Winnipeg in the West-Central, and that would kind if work or flip them with the Wild and have in the North West.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on May 31, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Aren't they staying in the Eastern Conference for next season?

Even dumber than shifting the Red Wings – stay in a division with Tampa Bay, Florida, and Carolina?

Nick Swisher is handsome.

by ChrisCEIT on May 31, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the NFL is now drawing up NHL divisions?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

schedules are already drawn up at this point

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by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions

As for KC supporting an AHL-Level team

one could point to the Blades which were rather successful here until they were purchased be the DeVos family and run into the ground.

I do think the climate has changed however. The Blades first came to town 22 years ago just 12 years after the Scouts left town and 6 years after the Kings left town. KC needed a secondary tier of sports enteritainment to fill the void and was greatful to get whatever it could.

I think NHL21 has pushed the NHL idea so hard now in KC, I don’t think most Kansas Citians would be too thrilled with an AHL or ECHL team in the Sprint Center.

That said, I would love for KC to have a primary hockey tennant, youth hockey enrollment is down somewhat since the Blades left town but also since the lock-out hockey isn’t being marketed as widely so a lot of kids are not getting hooked early on.

I guess you could say, my feelings about hockey in KC are mixed…

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by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

The entire IHL ran into the ground

The Blades were rather successful until the entire league expanded too quickly, got mismanaged and folded

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Right,

but the last few years, the DeVos’ really got cheap. They owned the Solar Bears and the Admirals in the AHL as well and clearly the Blades were the step-child. The entire atmosphere changed from the mid 90’s to the early 00’s. Even if the IHL didn’t fold, the Blades were proverbally skating on thin ice.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

They owned the Solar Bears and the Admirals in the AHL

IHL at the time, my bad…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't they own the Orlando Magic now?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I sat front row at a Blades game once...

was definitely the most entertaining non-professional game I have ever seen, by a long ways…would love to be front row at a NHL game

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Jun 2, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

The Blades were a professional team but yeah, I get your point. ; )

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by labbadabba on Jun 2, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Value-wise, I'd probably get more out of that kind of game

than the ridiculous prices they charge for NHL games.

"That's fine wood from... somewhere."

by KeepItCopacetic on Jun 3, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

plus in the IHL...

There was a fight every period

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Jun 3, 2011 3:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

ISlanders

reached a deal with the county to begin new construction. The Islanders are staying put.

by Peterman700 on May 31, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

yes, but the county still has to vote on

the new arena Aug 1st. If the county doesn’t pass the measure all bets are off.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

ISlanders

reached a deal with the county to begin new construction. The Islanders are staying put.

by Peterman700 on May 31, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

I should say

that the vote is to the fans now.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/31/vote-expected-for-new-hockey-arena-for-new-york-islanders/

by Peterman700 on May 31, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the AHL would be fantastic here

But I don’t see it happening. I think AEG is set on the NHL/NBA or bust. While I have adamantly insisted that the line that they’d “rather have no tenant because concert dates are too lucrative” is an abject lie, I do think that they’d rather not have a minor league tenant junking up the calendar and potentially bumping other acts. And I don’t know if Kemper is still usable.

So where does this leave the Coyotes? I cannot think their situation in Arizona is sustainable. And I don’t know what other markets seem as lucrative now as KC now that Winnipeg is taken. Houston, maybe? But how is Houston much different than Atlanta – huge Sun Belt metro with lots of other things to do other than watch hockey. Hamilton makes a lot of sense, but I don’t think the Leafs will support that. Vegas does not yet have an arena and I don’t see it as a hockey city, and its economy has collapsed.

I still think the Islanders stay in Long Island, but I guess that situation could change rather quickly.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, given the recent negotiations in Glendale

I think the Coyotes are staying put for now. Our best hope are the Islanders right now, I really don’t think the good people of Long Island are passing an almost completely funded bond measure to build a new arena. Considering, Nassau county has some of the highest taxes already in the country…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on May 31, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Is the Predators situation completely resolved?

Are the Panthers or Blue Jackets making any overtures about relocating?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

the Panthers would LOVE to relocate

but they’re tied into a pretty restrictive lease. Haven’t heard too many rumblings re the Blue Jackets.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

My memory of the Glendale lease is that it doesn't actually require the Coyotes to stay

but I can’t find a link right now

by KSinDC on May 31, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Hartford

would love to have the Whalers back

Christ, you don't need a quadrophonic Blaupunkt! What you need is a curveball! In the show, everyone can hit heat.

by BillyMojo on Jun 4, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd like them to move to KC but keep the name Manitoba Moose

I like the nickname Moose, but Missouri Moose doesn’t make any sense, and, come to think of it, I like the name Manitoba. Besides we’re right in the middle of Big Ten / Big Twelve country, so the precedent has already been set for favoring tradition over accuracy when it comes to naming.

by KSinDC on May 31, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

"The Manitoba Moose of Kansas City"

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes!

by KSinDC on May 31, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Would this hockey be more attractive than the team based out of Independence currently?

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on May 31, 2011 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

From my understanding

And the hockey guys can correct me, but the AHL = AAA baseball, while the CHL (what the Mavs play in) is more like high A ball.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe, but THE MAVERICKS RULE AND YOU SUCK IF YOU DON'T AGREE!!!!

Seriously, I’m always so impressed with their organization. I know the level of hockey may not be the greatest, but they are competitive in their league and they have so completely embraced being part of Independence specifically and KC-area and Missouri more generally and in turn have been embraced by the fans in the area. I love the Mavericks. If our finances ever get back to where they were a few years ago, I would probably by Mavericks season tickets over Royals season tickets (although ideally I’ll do, although sadly I cannot get my former Royals season tickets back since they are now part of the press box).

by Gross(est) on May 31, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Great entertainment value. I don't know much about hockey

so play quality wise I don’t notice much. Hockey is a great sport to attend live, though, and it’s a nice little arena they have. It’s just such a drive for me (I live in Olathe) so I don’t make it more than once or twice a year.

"That's fine wood from... somewhere."

by KeepItCopacetic on Jun 1, 2011 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Hockey live is WAY better than hockey on tv

especially since the few Mavericks games that are televised seem to be filmed by interns, or at least people who aren’t yet used to broadcasting hockey games. It was pretty fun when Denny was doing the color commentary for those few games though.

Baseball on tv and radio, however, is pretty damn good, which would also factor into our theoretical season ticket decisions.

by Gross(est) on Jun 1, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Hockey has become MUCH

easier to watch since the advent of HDTV. I don’t think any other sport has benefited more in terms of production value than the NHL. It’s a shame that HDTV has gone mainstream, the NHL is stuck in cable tv purgatory.

But to your point, I think the only sport that is better on tv than live is football.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I totally agree on that.

Between the ticket prices, the bad angles, the lack of replay, and probably a whole host of other factors I’m leaving out since the last NFL game I went to was in 1996… it really is better to watch on tv.

Nick Swisher is handsome.

by ChrisCEIT on Jun 1, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn't that say something very indicative of the NFL, in light of their current circumstances?

I am in the same headspace, that the NFL is better to watch on TV than it is live, and I know that a majority of my friends are of the same opinion. The most common reasons stated for not going to NFL games are:

Ticket Price
Parking
Parking Price
View/Field Vision
Weather
Concession Price
Other Fans

My family used to have season tickets, until about 1996, and it was a combination of the rising ticket prices and the fact that every game was on television now (blackouts, at least for the Chiefs, had become a distant memory) that they decided not to renew. They were pretty nice seats as well. Row H on the south side, about the 35-yard line.

But what does it say about a sport when it is a hassle and practically a nuisance to go out and watch the game live? I know there are a lot of people that enjoy it, and in recollecting my attendance at Chiefs games, I can honestly say that I only have one bad memory (getting drenched in beer by a drunk guy when I was 9 or 10) out of probably the 20-25 games I attended.

But nowadays, it would have to be a pretty close circle of friends that were going with me in order to get me out to a game. In my mind it’s just not worth it, and I question the appeal of any sport that I can’t watch live without issue.

Vi veri veniversum vivus vici

by JKWard on Jun 3, 2011 4:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Why doesn't the NHL do something innovative

and try broadcasting entire games from behind the goals? Maybe with one of those remote control “floating” cameras over the ice? With the way plays develop in hockey, it seem like this would be an awesome way to watch it on TV.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 1, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

After the glow puck disaster

I suspect they don’t want to do anything risky ever again.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 1, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually liked that.. but I was also, like, 8 or 9.

"That's fine wood from... somewhere."

by KeepItCopacetic on Jun 1, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree to a point

the best place to watch the game at ice level is in the corners, but I don’t know how well that would translate to the small screen.

I generally find innovative shot angles annoying in any sport. I get used to seeing the game from a certain angle and know where to look and for what. I don’t need some camera on a wire showing me what Payton Manning’s ass looks like when he’s behind center.

I think more than innovative camera angles they need to do everything they can to get back on ESPN/ESPN2 at least 3 nights a week. Hopefully with the CBA up in the air for the NBA they’ll have some leverage.

I thought the NHL made a huge mistake at the time by getting greedy post lock-out. They finally fixed the pay structure and some of the market inequity in the game only to turn around and shoot themselves in their collective foot with OLN/Versus.

The production with Versus has been excellent outside of the first season but no one knows about it. After the lockout, Bettman should have PAID ESPN to air their games and just said, eff it. The league needs exposure and good PR right now than Comcast money.

*sigh

This too shall pass…

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

the best place to watch the game at ice level is in the corners, but I don’t know how well that would translate to the small screen.

Also, 1st/2nd row on the bench side, since the side glass isn’t there and doesn’t impede the vision down the ice.

Nick Swisher is handsome.

by ChrisCEIT on Jun 2, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

don't want to take away from what the Mavericks are doing in Independence

I love that they have a dedicated fan base and arena. It’s a real positive for sure.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

OT, the off topic thread

But am I the only one that sees the Overland Park Church ad on the right banner and sees a tranny?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 31, 2011 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

No church ad for me

A combination of incredibly annoying Gilette razor ads and Verizon Fios NFL draft ads.

by KSinDC on May 31, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

What could possibly be annoying

about getting the best laserbeam-aided shave you’ve ever had in your whole damn life?

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 1, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

This isn't a bad hockey town at all.

Frankly, we could support an NHL team far better than some current NHL cities.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KC_Satchmo on May 31, 2011 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

but there are those who refuse to listen. But those are the same people who don’t even know that some of our high schools have had hockey teams for decades now.

Though, that said, enrollment in youth hockey is down partially because the NHL is buried in the sports landscape and losing Ice Midwest really hurts as well.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 1, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions