It's not happening...not in Hamiton

Nope. Hamilton ain't getting an NHL franchise. Why would it?

So, the theory North of the border is to take a team out of a top 10 US market and put it in a place many either haven't heard of or couldn't point out on a map. Really? And call it what? The 'Hamilton' somethings? Don't think so. If a large, widely recognized and respected sports city like Phoenix can't generate new hockey fans in the United States how could Hamilton, Ontario?

Another NHL team setting up shop in Canada is an extreme long shot. Unbelievably slim. A pipe dream. A remote possibility that shouldn't even be discussed until the league itself offers up at least a sliver-sized notion of the sort first. It's obvious these people running the show in New York believe the NHL has zero growth potential in Canada while the US, even after one failure after another, still has plenty. That's debatable, but what isn't: the probability of the Coyotes, Thrashers or any current NHL club picking up and leaving for Steel city, Canada. There are great people in Hamilton. The idea is good. The prospects of it becoming reality are worse than bad.

What sucks is that many people are again getting their hopes up over this story. Its unfortunate, and the media can take credit. Its jumped right into Jim Balsillie's lap and blown this whole thing up way too much. Our news media does it best...or worst. Most news people know little about sports to begin with let alone the NHL or the way it works. At first glance the concept of another NHL team in Canada is enticing and interesting. And if the situation and the players involved were different it would be a definate news story, a big one. In this case, again, its nowhere close. Bettman + Balsillie= No 7th NHL team in Canada. They despise each other. These guys can't deal. It's simple. Our sports media could do a better job of putting all of this into context for the traditionally non-sports loving consumership instead of echoing the naive headlines from the front page.

If the NHL were to be open to another Canadian club some day, it would have to be in Toronto. What's the risk? And better yet, where to begin reaping all those rewards? The GTA is the best place to help bolster a league that can use more the support, at least financially. A 2ND Toronto team would automatically increase in value; boosting league revenue while vaulting a team from the soup line to the penthouse, one that would also become an instant giver instead of perennial taker. Anyway, this is all fun-talk because Gary Bettman would jump in front of a speeding train before relenting to the demands of most NHL fans in Canada. And what about those Leafs? I'll always be a supporter, but also believe they should use their extensive clout with the league to indeed 'makeitseven'. They've remained silent during this latest trip through fantasy land and I doubt they'll have much to say going forward, especially when Gary Bettman is doing the talking for them. Still, just for a moment, imagine the conditions and fees they could saddle the Toronto newbies with??? The Leafs clearly love cashing in. Sharing on the other hand? You don't become hockey's financial juggernaut through market generosity. Yet there are millions and millions AND MILLIONS to be made here. The cost for a struggling franchise to move into the GTA and coexist with the Leafs would be astronomical, but in hockey's biggest and most lucrative market its a cost that would no doubt be followed by the best business its ever done. At the same time the Leafs who've been hoarding yet under-servicing its market for decades, may finally discover you can also grow your fanbase by winning. And its all wishful thinking that either will ever come true.