In a four-year saga where the Coyotes were looking for new owners, there was tons of talk about where the Coyotes might end up. Well, it looks like they'll be staying in Arizona, the proverbial ghost town of the NHL. They make Florida Panthers fans look legitimate.
So over those four years of the possibility that the Coyotes would leave, I had plenty of time to think about (and rank) possible cities where they would be a much better fit and entirely more appreciated.
10. Las Vegas
I feel like any sports franchise could do well in Las Vegas. The heat could be an issue. We know how funky ice can get during the playoffs, but fans, tourists and gambling junkies will fill the seats without a doubt.
9. Kansas City
There's a gorgeous venue sitting there waiting for a tenant in the Sprint Center. It can hold about 17,500 fans and there's no question of teams doing well in that city. It's Missouri, what else is there to do?
8. Toronto (yes another one)
It's more the greater Toronto area, but in 2011 there was a proposal to build a 19,500 seat arena that would be perfect for an NHL team. In 2009 there even was a proposal, separate from the arena, for a new team called the Legacy. Could we see a potential split in Toronto? With the drought the Maple Leafs are in, I could definitely see some jumping ship.
7. Oklahoma City
Look how quick the Thunder were welcomed and absolutely adored by Oklahoman's. Splitting time with a hockey team at the Chesapeake Energy Arena wouldn't be that big of a problem and I feel the fans would be just as rabid.
6. Saskatoon
The city is hosting NHL preseason games. Insert Canadians loving hockey remarks here and it's a match made in heaven.
5. Milwaukee
Wisconsinites love their hockey, simple as that. It was the fourth leading market in the nation that watched the gold medal game in 2010 between the U.S. and Canada. The Bradley Center can house a franchise, but it's not in the best shape.
4. Hamilton
They had a franchise, the Tigers, back in the 1920's. I think that would be pretty awesome if a team like that could come back. It's a traditional hockey city and Copps Coliseum can hold about 17,000 fans. Hamilton has the money and Southern Ontario is the perfect place.
3. Seattle
Those people had their hearts ripped out when the Sonics got up and left. They were a great fan base and they need another team to latch on to. It rains all the time, the weather is awful, so what's better than another indoor sport?
2. Hartford
Bring back the whale. The end.
1. Quebec City
It doesn't matter where you go to see a hockey game, but you will most likely see a Nordiques jersey. There was such a loyal following. A new arena that could seat 18,000 is currently being built and once a team gets there, there will be no competition. This is a hockey town. There's another Russian million/billionaire looking to buy an NHL franchise and move it back to Quebec. I always thought it would be the Coyotes. Oh well. Looks like I'll just have to wait.
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