(05-09-2022 06:46 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote: (05-09-2022 06:23 PM)Wedge Wrote: AFAIK, there is no billionaire out there telling the NHL, "I want to buy the Coyotes and move them to ______, and I'm ready to hand over $400 million (or whatever), let's do it now."
That might be why they are giving the current ownership plenty of time to stumble around in Arizona.
Quebecor. Quebecor even posted the required expansion amount for their bid to be tabled.
But the Bruins owner (who has the most pull of any owner) absolutely despises Quebec City for whatever reason and the NHL itself doesn't want QC either.
But Quebec City would 100% buy the Coyotes if given the opportunity.
Of course, if Mr. Houston billionaire swooped in, the NHL would likely push for a sale because Houston is as if not more desirable a market as Arizona. But Mr. Quebec billionaire is different because the NHL doesn't find the market desirable.
I'd prefer Quebec or Houston as a relocation city. Born and raised in Houston, I'd love to see the Aeros resurrected as an NHL franchise. That being said, I'd rather see a 4-conference league (over 2-conference, 4-division league) with a Canada-only conference.
I'd settle for Arizona > Houston and Florida > Quebec.
Conference Alignment
Atlantic: Boston, Carolina, New Jersey, New York (I), New York ®, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington
Canada: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Midwest: Buffalo, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis
Pacific: Anaheim, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle
Playoffs
16 teams (4 division winners + 12 at-larges)
Teams ranked #1-#16 by win percentage (then other tie-breakers)
#1 vs #16, #2 vs #15, etc.