I would say deff. in the top 5 no doubt. But I find it odd this state tells me that of the top 10 oldest, and I have only heard of the top 4 and down, whats up with that?
used to dominate the sport....the canadiens, the oilers, then they lose the lower run teams like Winnipeg to US cities, and the league adds teams to places like Columbus and Phoenix and Dallas, and the whole league tradition is upside down
MONEY. The reason hockey is dying at the NHL level is money. NO need to work for loonies when you can make more in the States. Even if there was a 1 / 1 ratio to loonies to dollars the tax up North is enough reason for players not to want to sign. With fewer big time players, teams pull a small gate and can't afford to stay. With US cities so willing to shell out huge dollars for fancy arenas with high dollar suites, owners can make more money playing in front of 12,000 people with 30% in suites than they can with 20,000 and no suits. It's all about the duckets.
Don't most people always go where the money is? It makes sense, and many sports teams and members get a ton of money for their work (sometimes more than what we should pay them as many have stated before). Wouldn't you do the same?
Of course I would do the same. But with that said, the players money run is killing hockey in Canada. There is no good reason that the NHL should have teams in Fl, GA and AZ while Canada has only two teams. Makes no sense.
Hopefully they will regain their former glory within the next few years. Certain key players like Sundin are already in place, but the rest of the team is going to need quite a bit of work. Regardless, I remain hopeful. All that I can do...really
One of the "most liked" teams? Quite possibly. One of the BEST teams?
Unfortunately...no
Hate to say it, but it's the truth. A ton of work needs to be done for them to truly be "One Of The Best" again.
