NHL Season 2025-26

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by jamincan

If the opposing team doesn't show up for the game because they're all in the hospital, they can't win the series.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Hasn't made sense for more than two decades (sorry Winnipeg ... I just never understood that move and I think they'll relocate again, given the Bettman/NHL-ownership "financial" perspective). Hasn't made sense for more than three decades if you're from Hamilton and still stupidly hoping for a team.

It makes sense in Winnipeg for the current owner who has seen his asset grow by at least 10x. Even if he had to stroke a check every year to pay the bills, if they can't extract enough money out of the fans, the franchise value is increasing at a higher rate. What will be the harder case to make is someone coming in and throwing more than 2 billion on the table to buy them and keep them there. I also think the discussion about a new arena is going to happen sooner than people may think.

[Coldrsx]

Sounds like Kapanen is headed out of Edmonton which I do not like given his scoring ability and heavy play.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Sounds like Kapanen is headed out of Edmonton which I do not like given his scoring ability and heavy play.

Given the clowns that manage the team, I am sure there will be further moves that we don't like.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Hasn't made sense for more than two decades (sorry Winnipeg ... I just never understood that move and I think they'll relocate again, given the Bettman/NHL-ownership "financial" perspective). Hasn't made sense for more than three decades if you're from Hamilton and still stupidly hoping for a team.

One of the richest men in Canada is part of the Jets ownership, Bettman is not going to sacrifice that relationship.

[ericmacm]

I found an article from June 27th on a new CFL scouting news publication that launched last month, 3DownFutures. I have no idea how reputable this outlet is, but the author is suggesting that following the potential CFL expansion into Quebec City next season, complete with a new $350M stadium development on the site of the old Colisée Pepsi (which broke a couple weeks ago and has been extensively reported on), that there is a second element to the story. The author is claiming that there has been work going on in the background to form a private Sports & Entertainment company in Québec City to operate Centre Videotron and the potential new stadium, as well as own both of the new hypothetical CFL and NHL expansion franchises. The effort is supposedly being backed by Guy Laliberté (cofounder of Cirque du Soleil) and the Desmarais family (controlling interest of Power Corporation). It is further suggested that after Houston gets team #33, either Quebec City or Phoenix will get team #34, with the other getting team #35 later.

I don’t think I believe that this is real, but I thought it was an interesting nugget. It is unknown how Atlanta plays into this whole situation. My personal theory is that both of the Atlanta bids have cooled down significantly since the NHL provided clarity on the upfront financial commitment required for a new team. I have not been able to find any sources of information beyond what has already been reported on the potential new CFL team.

[jamincan]

That's exactly the kind of ownership group that would be needed to make it work.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

One of the richest men in Canada is part of the Jets ownership, Bettman is not going to sacrifice that relationship.

I hope you're right.

But the NHL has thumbed its nose at other wealthy Canadian (some prospective) owners, I think because the wealthy Americans who run the majority of franchises just don't care... and they've installed or continued to support a commissioner who will be the face of their decisions.

If Winnipeg can be "the exception to the rule", that's great. But over time I think that franchise will fall in line.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Does everybody here agree with this?

Best hockey cities in the world

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

Does everybody here agree with this?

Best hockey cities in the world

Montreal. Period.

[jamincan]

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

Does everybody here agree with this?

Best hockey cities in the world

I would dispute that Toronto has "deep ... junior ... hockey structures that make the sport accessible at every level". For whatever reason, major junior hockey doesn't seem to work in the GTA despite the OHL trying repeatedly to make something work. Brampton is the only team right now and there is a reasonably good chance that it could end up moving.

That said, Junior A is healthy in the GTA (OJHL) but that's a pretty different situation and it could be argued that with the NCAA rule changes, Junior A is far less relevant as a professional development pathway for players (although that could change if the OHL forms an agreement with them to function as a development league like they did with the GOHL (Jr. B).

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

Does everybody here agree with this?

Best hockey cities in the world

Toronto might host the HHOF, but hell no, they are not the best hockey city in the world. Montreal is definitely ahead of Toronto, and I’d say cities like Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon are ahead of Toronto too… even without NHL teams.

[Calgarian]

List is garbage.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Ovechkin just signed another one year contract. I think he will go for 1000 goals! Let’s go!

[harls]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

List is garbage.

Brought to you by online gambling.

[Calgarian]

Not sure Ovi will get 71 goals this season, he will probably top out at around 950 career. Doubt he plays next year, he looked quite slow last year., so this coming season is likely the last.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Not sure Ovi will get 71 goals this season, he will probably top out at around 950 career. Doubt he plays next year, he looked quite slow last year., so this coming season is likely the last.

Def not getting 71 goals, but I bet he gets 30-35+ and that motivates him to come back for one more season after and reach 1000 goals. I hope so at least lol!

[Nicko999]

What an absolute steal!!! We now have everyone from our core locked in long-term at below 10M AAV.

Canadiens sign Demidov to eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Ivan Demidov to a eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension that carries a cap hit of $9.15 million, per a team release.

Demidov, 20, led all rookies in scoring last season with 19 goals and 62 points in 82 games and finished second to New York Islanders standout defenceman Matthew Schaefer in Calder Trophy voting.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-sign-demidov-to-eight-year-73-million-contract-extension/

[theman23]

Originally Posted by Nashe

Montreal. Period.

Originally Posted by jamincan

I would dispute that Toronto has "deep ... junior ... hockey structures that make the sport accessible at every level". For whatever reason, major junior hockey doesn't seem to work in the GTA despite the OHL trying repeatedly to make something work. Brampton is the only team right now and there is a reasonably good chance that it could end up moving.

That said, Junior A is healthy in the GTA (OJHL) but that's a pretty different situation and it could be argued that with the NCAA rule changes, Junior A is far less relevant as a professional development pathway for players (although that could change if the OHL forms an agreement with them to function as a development league like they did with the GOHL (Jr. B).

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Toronto might host the HHOF, but hell no, they are not the best hockey city in the world. Montreal is definitely ahead of Toronto, and I’d say cities like Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon are ahead of Toronto too… even without NHL teams.

Its interesting how much scrutiny Toronto gets when it (rightfully) gets placed at the top of these lists, but for some reason the same level of critical thinking never gets applied to the alternatives.

Who was the last great player to come out from the Montreal area? Nearly 40 year-old Kris Letang? Maybe Huberdeau? OTOH a list of currently active GTAHL grads would be a whose who of number one draft picks and basically be all star team.

There are 3 OHL teams in the GTA vs one in Montreal, and all 3 outdraw or match the Armada for crowds.

Montreal is a Habs city. Toronto is a hockey city.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Nicko999

What an absolute steal!!! We now have everyone from our core locked in long-term at below 10M AAV.

Canadiens sign Demidov to eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension


https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-sign-demidov-to-eight-year-73-million-contract-extension/

Now now, sir.. remember the hype over Kovalev?