If that would have happend, would it have been considered a franchise swap or simply an entire roster being traded? For example, would the Toronto franchise be called the Toronto Oilers or retain the name & history of the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Teams that were almost relocated
- Thread starter Lupul1990
- Start date
If that would have happend, would it have been considered a franchise swap or simply an entire roster being traded? For example, would the Toronto franchise be called the Toronto Oilers or retain the name & history of the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Bear of Bad News
Your Third or Fourth Favorite HFBoards Admin
- Sep 27, 2005
- 13,582
- 27,275
Despite the factual errors in this paragraph, what does it have to do with "TEAMS THAT WERE ALMOST RELOCATED"?
Let's get this back on topic.
Not a relocation, but the Cleveland Barons failed attempts to move from the AHL to NHL deserves an honorable mention.
Foppasakic96
He's baaack!
- Oct 8, 2012
- 59
- 0
JuniorNelson
Registered User
People interested in this sort of thing should look at the WHA merger. There were a lot of shenanigans there. Toronto Toros almost made it in, as I recall? I think Ballard quashed it.
Before they ran off to Detroit to become part of the Red Wings, the New Westminster Cougars played in the still standing Queens Park Arena. I think a heritage classic played there between the Wings and Canucks would be more interesting than playing Ottawa on a football field.
Before they ran off to Detroit to become part of the Red Wings, the New Westminster Cougars played in the still standing Queens Park Arena. I think a heritage classic played there between the Wings and Canucks would be more interesting than playing Ottawa on a football field.
Buck Aki Berg
Done with this place
They had relocated to Birmingham in 1976 - which Ballard had a hand in, by doing things like charging $3,500 per game, over and above the terms of their lease, for the use of the lights in MLG.
But yes, I do believe that Birmingham just missed the cut to make the jump to the NHL
Mayor Bee
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2008
- 18,085
- 531
Don't forget about only allowing one ticket window to ever be open for a Toros game. If there was going to be any type of walk-up crowd (like when the Jets came in with Bobby Hull and his European linemates), the line could stretch for blocks.
Hockeyville USA
Registered User
Coyotes were pretty close to moving to Portland in 2004 and in 2012
Paul Kariya didn't re-sign with the Predators because he thought the team was moving
Headshot77
Bad Photoshopper
- Feb 15, 2015
- 3,954
- 1,944
Look Up
Don't be a scan tool
- Oct 3, 2013
- 1,325
- 1,279
Holy thread revival! Got excited seeing a post from Killion, then realized it was from 2013.
Look Up
Don't be a scan tool
- Oct 3, 2013
- 1,325
- 1,279
rsteen
Registered User
- Oct 1, 2022
- 356
- 240
Gnashville
HFBoards Hall of Famer
archangel2
Registered User
- May 19, 2019
- 2,195
- 1,341
Svechhammer
THIS is hockey?
- Jun 8, 2017
- 24,195
- 88,913
And yet we still have @DaveG holding down the fort about the Canes a couple years before things got really dire with Karmanos.
But the overall thread remains. This is always about bad owners and rarely about a bad market. Worth remembering given what just happened in Arizona.
- Feb 18, 2018
- 3,967
- 6,569
DaveG
Noted Jerk
Basically he was looking to cash out. His current wife wanted to maintain a certain level of lifestyle and Compuware wasn't worth near what it was when he bought the team, yet alone adjusted for inflation. Add to it that when Thewes died PK started to really cut back on the money he put into the team going forward. QC was a very real possibility considering Jim Goodnight didn't want to invest in hockey and the other prospective owner with local ties (Vinik, Duke grad) bought the Bolts instead.
Tom Dundon literally saved the team. If not from relocation then at the minimum from being another Coyotes situation and possibly being sold to Tepper eventually (shudders in disgust)
Last edited:
IIRC, Devils had a lousy lease at the time at Brendan Byrne arena (or whatever it was called). it was owned by the NJSEA. Couple that with not-so-great attendance. I remember during their run in 95, whether it was at a game or during their parade someone holding a sign that read, "No Devils, No Whitman". Christine Todd-Whitman was the governor at the time. I don't recall ALL the details, maybe a Devils fan can chime in on this one. Whether it was they were not getting anything for parking or concessions or the rent was too high. Different team, but the Isles did not have a great lease at the Coliseum, and attendance was a problem in the 90s. But, they had a GREAT tv deal with then Sportschannel, which eventually became part of the FS group. Devils were also on Sportschannel and shown throughout the NY Metro area. Yes, living on LI, I got all Devils games on my cable. Not sure the Devils tv deal was as strong as the Isles.
Never heard this, but have to assume it was depression related? Different times back then.Does anyone have anything more on Canadiens move to Cleveland in 1935? Apparently there's something about it in the book celebrating 100th anniversary of the Habs, but it's impossible for me to get it.
