So how goes the hockey team?

[arch100]

Looks like Markham is jostling for an NHL team:
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/...-massive-arena

[Berklon]

Not that I think we had any shot at landing an NHL team, but if Markham winds up getting one - that'll wipe out any slim chance for Hamilton.

We couldn't even get an MLS team if we were tried.

[mattgrande]

Well... it's not like they're just handing out MLS teams...

[drpgq]

Regarding Markham and Quebec, with Phoenix playing well in the playoffs that could help with them staying put (although unlikely). I'm not sure which team besides Phoenix is likely to move.

[realcity]

Phoenix is playing an awesome game, they're healthy and playing hard. I wish they didn't have to play Nashville in this series. We are watching Hamilton play Hamilton.

[Frankenrogers]

Ha, I was thinking that too. The other Hamilton (Pittsburgh) has been eliminated though.

[markbarbera]

Don't forget Ottawa, another 'Hamilton' team, recently eliminated by NY Rangers.

[Berklon]

For a city with so many NHL teams, Copps seems to be sitting unused more than you would think.

[CaptainKirk]

Another report came out today from the Conference Board Of Canada

http://www.conferenceboard.ca/report...iefing-14.aspx

We therefore forecast that there will be no more than nine NHL cities in Canada in 2035. This includes the markets with existing teams (Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa–Gatineau, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) and two potential new markets—Québec City and Hamilton, both of which face significant start-up costs (notably, a new arena in Québec City and major arena renovations and potential territorial fees in Hamilton).

Conclusion
The professional sports scene in Canada will continue to expand over the next 25 years. The conditions for growth are right—the Canadian dollar will likely remain strong and the taxation gap with the U.S. is expected to continue to narrow. This will allow existing franchises to prosper, and offer a better chance for new franchises to succeed. Canada could be home to 10 NHL teams, with new franchises in Québec City and Hamilton, and a second team in the Toronto CMA.

[bigguy1231]

The new arena in Markham will exclude the city of Hamilton from having a team permanently. One of the partners in that arena is Global Spectrum, they own the Philadelphia arena's as well as the Flyers. They wouldn't be involved if they didn't have inside information. From what I have read they should have the Markham arena up and running at the latest 2015. They presented the proposal to Markham council this week.

[markbarbera]

Any potential Markham arena would fit the bill for what the Conference Board of Canada describes as second team in the Toronto CMA. They obviously think there is a market for this second GTA team as well as a Hamilton team.

Of course what they think is not necessarily the same as what Bettman thinks, and he is the one calling the shots with NHL expansion, not the Conference Board of Canada.

It's also worth pointing out that Live Nation/Global Spectrum isn't just a partner in the proposed Markham arena development. They are also as an active bidder for management of Hamilton's Copps Colliseum.

[thistleclub]

The slapstick continues.

Greg Jamison unable to meet lease agreement deadline to buy Coyotes
(Associated Press, John Marshall, Feb 1, 2013)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Greg Jamison has missed his deadline to buy the Phoenix Coyotes before a lease agreement with the City of Glendale expires.

The former CEO of the San Jose Sharks had until midnight Thursday to buy the team from the NHL under the terms of the lease agreement with Glendale, but was unable to get the money or investors he needed in time to hit the deadline.

“We will not be able to complete our purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes today in time to meet our deadline with the city of Glendale,” Jamison said in a statement. “However, our journey to purchase the Coyotes will continue. We realize this will require additional conversations with the city of Glendale and the NHL. We still believe we can reach an agreement that satisfies everyone. We hope negotiations with the city proceed as smoothly as possible, as everyone involved wants the Coyotes to remain in Arizona.”

Jamison had emerged as the latest and arguably best chance for the Coyotes to land an owner after more than three years of being run by the league. He reached a 20-year, US$308-million lease agreement with Glendale for Jobing.com Arena in the fall, creating what was believed to be a clear path to ending the Coyotes’ up-and-down ownership saga.

Instead, the uncertainty with the franchise will continue with still no end in sight.

“To the Arizona’s sports and hockey fans, and the City of Glendale, we appreciate your patience and diligence,” Jamison said. “We wish everything was completed today as we worked extremely hard on the deal. However, we have taken significant steps to keep the Coyotes in Glendale for the long-term. I’ve seen first-hand the wonderful support Arizona hockey fans have provided the Coyotes and we will continue our efforts to keep the NHL in Arizona.”

Glendale spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said the city will have a statement on Jamison missing the deadline on Friday, after the NHL issues one of its own.

The latest twist in the Coyotes’ search for an owner leaves open the possibility that new bidders could give Jamison competition to buy the team.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

I think we need to, once and for all, put the hockey in Hamilton dream to bed. It seems that Markham is destined to land an expansion team and, of course, Quebec will soon be hosting NHL hockey again. Hamilton needs somebody with deep pockets and serious political clout to stand up and float new arena plans otherwise we're done.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

A story vaguely related to hockey in Hamilton. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...chase-coyotes/