Top 10: Potential NHL Cities

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Top 10: Potential NHL Cities

Dave Golokhov
Page 1 of 3
Although the Nashville Predators are the most bandied about NHL franchise to be on the move, they aren't the only team that would be better off in a different, more deserving city.

Through the years the NHL has tried and failed to plant seeds in some barren markets. There are, however, more fertile alternatives where some of the NHL’s franchises could thrive.

There are options in Canada, for example, where some cities await with open arms now that revenue sharing and a salary cap are in place, and there are opportunities in many American cities as well.

Here's a list of the top 10 potential NHL cities. Some suggestions are realistic, some are just simply ideal and others will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers. We’re also only suggesting to uproot five franchises that are ripe for the moving.

Number 10

Orlando, Florida

The theory that the hockey-loving Torontonians who flock to warm Fort Lauderdale in the winter months help the Panthers attendance may be true. If that's the case, the number of native Floridians who actually care about hockey may be even smaller than originally perceived. If the NHL is going to bank on the tourist-attraction idea, then it would be wiser to plant itself in Orlando, a city that attracts millions of tourists per year, making it one of the best potential NHL cities. The economic base in Orlando is strong enough to court another professional team other than the Magic.

NHL franchise to move: Florida Panthers

Keeping the Panthers’ franchise in Florida would keep some of the fan base intact and it also wouldn't hurt the rivalry with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Also, for naming purposes, they could keep the same name.

Number 9

London, England

The NHL opened its 2007-08 season in London, England. If you can connect the dots, you can see that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would like to incorporate Europe as part of the league. Although there are stronger bases for hockey in Europe, such as Sweden or Russia, London is geographically close and an eastward trip to the United Kingdom really isn't that much farther than a West Coast trip to San Jose. It’s still an option, but when you think of London, you usually don’t think of potential NHL cities.

NHL franchise to move: New York Islanders

With three franchises within roughly an hour of each other, and two of them struggling to draw a crowd, maybe it's best for Long Island to join another long island on the other side of the Atlantic. The Islanders wouldn't be much of a priority behind soccer in the UK, but they aren't exactly much of a priority now either.

Number 8

Quebec City, Quebec

While the lack of a quality arena remains the major hurdle, there is no questioning the level of interest that Quebec City has in hockey. The major junior team receives ample fan support and so would any professional franchise. How good does a rebirth of the Montreal-Quebec rivalry sound? As potential NHL cities go, if an existing franchise doesn’t feel for the move to Quebec City, perhaps an expansion team should move in.

NHL franchise to move: Florida Panthers

The Panthers’ Head Coach and General Manager Jacques Martin worked as an assistant head coach with the Quebec Nordiques. Being a French Canadian with ties to the former Quebec franchise already provides some familiarity.

The rest of our potential NHL cities are on our own turf…

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