DJ V Lawrence Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 it all depends on who buys the team. Lemieux is selling, and if they don't get a new arena in Pitt they could be leaving. Isle of Capri is trying to get a gambling license, and are looking at building a casino/arena in the city, but they won't know if they get the license until the end of the year. they're competing with several other casinos, all which have no interest in building a new arena. A casino/Arena?! I want to see the designs on that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2613591Rumor from the inside has it that the Pittsburgh Penguins may be bought this week by a Canadian businessman (I know, an oxymoron, yes). The plan is that they will stay in Pittsburgh...that is...unless the city of Pittsburgh is willing to build a new stadium for the team. There COULD be a relocation bid if that were the case, but I predict that the businessman would want to move the team a Canadian city like Quebec, or another city that got screwed out of a team north of the border before moving to Houston.For Houston, this all mainly means that the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, and Washington Capitals would more likely be teams Les Alexander would consider buying and moving to the Space City. Remember, he's reportedly watching the NHL market to decide if NHL is profitable in Houston, and if he should buy a team or push for an expansion team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrill Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 What name should Houston's NHL team be?I was glad when they decided to go with Texans for NFL.Luckily the Dallas Stars only had to drop "North" from the old team,and it fit well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddleman Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 The North Stars should've become the Lone Stars. Houston Hurricanes sounds nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Montrosian Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I'd love it. My husband & I have Aeros season tickets and the Time-Warner Center Ice package, plus he plays at Memorial City twice a week and we still don't have enough hockey! If Carolina moves here, we don't have to change the name. It would be nice if we had an interesting regional critter like New Jersey, but the Giant Flying Roaches is too long. A bit south, but maybe the Chupacabras? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrill Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 As long as they dont add the word "ice" to the name,like IceBats or Ice Dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 What name should Houston's NHL team be?I was glad when they decided to go with Texans for NFL.Luckily the Dallas Stars only had to drop "North" from the old team,and it fit well. How about Houston 1836? It already won the popular vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonfella Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 When we obtain this NHL team, will we rename it or keep the existing name? Didn't Dallas "revamp" their name from the North Stars to the Stars? Names do not matter. People love sports teams, not particularly their names. And we are due for the NHL. Come on; we have every other major league sport, let's get with the program and get our NHL team (even though I hate hockey). I have tried to like hockey, but it just isn't my bag. Lots of people do, so therefore, bring it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timedrifter Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I say we keep the Aeros name, in tribute to the old WHA team (that ALMOST joined the NHL back then). The minor league Aeros are free to go elsewhere and change their names.Also, we could broker some kind of deal with the current city of whatever team we get, where they keep team name, colors, and history. That would free us up to enter the league as the 're-launch' of the WHA Aeros after nearly 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 What's exactly to make of Alexander wanting to sell the Comets in terms of if he's still actively pursuing an NHL team? Is he doing it to 100% focus on the Rockets, or is he still NHL hunting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Well it looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins are now looking outside of Pennsylvania for a new arena. According to Mario Lemiuex, since the sale of the team recently fell through and a proposed arena in Pittsburgh fell through, he and his ownership team will begin looking elsewhere while they continue negotiations with Pittsburgh.What are the chances the he receives a call from Les Alexander offering up the beautiful Toyota Center as the new home arena for the Penguins? Houston was mentioned with KC, Portland, and Hartford as potential interested cities. I'm not a hockey fan, but I say bring them on!Penguins no longer for sale, will consider new home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Well it looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins are now looking outside of Pennsylvania for a new arena. According to Mario Lemiuex, since the sale of the team recently fell through and a proposed arena in Pittsburgh fell through, he and his ownership team will begin looking elsewhere while they continue negotiations with Pittsburgh.What are the chances the he receives a call from Les Alexander offering up the beautiful Toyota Center as the new home arena for the Penguins? Houston was mentioned with KC, Portland, and Hartford as potential interested cities. I'm not a hockey fan, but I say bring them on!Penguins no longer for sale, will consider new homeHouston's by far the largest city and biggest market vying for an NHL team. The biggest negative is the fact that Houston has 5 professional teams representing it, which means that the NHL would always have local tv and ticket competition year-around, wheras in Pittsburgh, NHL is the only professional team playing there in January-April whenever the Steelers aren't in the playoffs, and even during NFL season, the Steelers play only once a week. Hartford has no professional teamsWinnipeg also has no professional teamsPortland has one professional team (NBA)Kansas City has three professional teams (MLB, MLS, MFL)Houston has five professional teams (NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, NFL) Another thing to think of is the arena...Hartford, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City would probably have a new stadium bid.Portland would either have a new stadium bid strickly for the Penguins, or have them in the same arena as the Trailblazers.Houston: Toyota Center (built NHL ready) would be the home.As easy as it sounds for Toyota Center to be the new home, it also has a complication or two knowing that the minor league Aeros play there, and would have to either move to another city, fold completely, still play at Toyota, or go to a smaller arena in the Houston area TBA. Contracts will have to be modified. Also, Alexander has the exclusives on Toyota Center. What kind of deal would he give for them to have Toyota to use when NHL has the same on and off-season as the NBA, while knowing that Alexander wouldn't own the NHL team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 i worked on the design team for the toyota arena and it is 100% NHL complaint and there is even an are sectioned reserved for a future NHL team (not in use by the aeros) which has not been built out yet on the same level as the rockets locker rooms.as much i would love to see houston grab an NHl team, the pens have a legacy in pittsburgh and would like to see super mario work something with that city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FilioScotia Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 Don't get your hopes up.The Penguins are officially "off the market" and not for sale, but they are open to finding a new home. Les Alexander has made it abundantly clear that his only interest in the NHL is as an owner. Not a landlord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 As easy as it sounds for Toyota Center to be the new home, it also has a complication or two knowing that the minor league Aeros play there, and would have to either move to another city, fold completely, still play at Toyota, or go to a smaller arena in the Houston area TBA.If Houston gets an NHL team, I vote for sharing the ice. Cincinnati used to have both an AHL and an IHL team that played in different venues and I think they both suffered for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 I would like Houston to add another professional sports franchise here. We easily look the most attractive out of the other cities (largest metro, and great stadium). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalparadise Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Hockey would be marginally more interesting than soccer, I guess.Please wake me up in April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marty Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Hockey would be marginally more interesting than soccer, I guess.Please wake me up in April.I love Hockey and the Astrodome would be the perfect venue. forget theme parks/hotels wheres Stu Hart when i need him. :closedeyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Hockey would be marginally more interesting than soccer, I guess.Please wake me up in April.Your opinion's respected, but World Cup's far more insane than the Stanley Cup to me.If Houston gets an NHL team, I vote for sharing the ice. Cincinnati used to have both an AHL and an IHL team that played in different venues and I think they both suffered for it.I think that will depend on the egos at Toyota Center. Chuck Watson and Les Alexander haven't always seen eye-to-eye when it comes to hockey business. Both have wanted at some point to own an NHL team in Houston. Now that the Penguins aren't for sale but looking for a new home, that would mean that Alexander AND Watson would have to be comfortable with having a third professional team and second hockey team at Toyota. I can see Alexander conforming to the idea because of money he'd get from lease, but if there's nothing in it for Watson, it's hard for me to see him wanting to keep the Aeros at Toyota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imxnoxplaya Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Re: Cincinnati IHL / AHL I live in Cincy, and yeah there was some cannibalism there, but each team didn't help themselves either. The Cyclones (IHL and now ECHL) had a good fan base. Ownership thought that moving them downtown to a newer and nicer arena would be a hit, but because of the somewhat isolated location, lack of parking, and cost of parking (previously free), this put a lot of attendees out. The moving also ushered in the AHL Ducks, who went into the old arena -- Cincinnati Gardens. Folks, the name "Gardens" is the complete opposite of the actual arena, unless there is a definition that means "smell of urine" or "dingy painted wooden seats" or just a general ickiness, not to mention its not in the greatest part of town. The failure of the Cyclones (who are back in business this year) and the departure of the Ducks was probably also aided (but not a huge amount) by the arrival of the Blue Jackets. Downtown Cincy to downtown Columbus is only about 1.5 hours. Good luck to you guys, I think an NHL team would be a good fit for Houston. And since I'm potentially moving there, I'd REALLY like to have a team nearby instead of driving to Dallas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonfella Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Houston had the Aeros in the 70s. I don't think D-FW got a team until.... well whenever they did. Houston can and will support the NHL. We have enough snowbirds here for the NHL. Personally, it isn't my passion, but a lot of people love hockey. I think Houston is ready and as we say in Texas "fixing" to get a NHL team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hockey would be marginally more interesting than soccer, I guess.Please wake me up in April.To each his own. But Dallas has grown to like it. Of course they had good teams when they moved there. And everyone knows hockey isn't a very good tv sport. But many people love to actually go to the games. I'll never watch it on tv, but I've enjoyed it the times I've gone to Aeros games.And the guys on 610 said that the only way they'll come to Houston is if it's up for sale, which it's not. Filio mentioned that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 To each his own. But Dallas has grown to like it. Of course they had good teams when they moved there. And everyone knows hockey isn't a very good tv sport. But many people love to actually go to the games. I'll never watch it on tv, but I've enjoyed it the times I've gone to Aeros games.And the guys on 610 said that the only way they'll come to Houston is if it's up for sale, which it's not. Filio mentioned that.Here's what I don't understand. Les Alexander claimed at first to want to pursue an NHL team. Just recently however, he announced he's selling the Houston Comets (possible to Hilton Koch) in order to put more time and effort into the Houston Rockets. If he grew tired of owning two professional teams, what is his stance now with the NHL? Will he change his mind and try to own a second team (NHL), will he change his prior stance and welcome/pursue another team to move to Toyota Center as a tenant with another person owning it, or will he try to shut down any possibility of an NHL team moving to Houston without him owning it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 I can't believe someone hasn't posted this yet.Lemiux is supposed to come to Houston to talk about possible sell:http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4490194.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Lemiux is supposed to come to Houston to talk about possible sell:http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4490194.htmlMy goodness, it sounds like a perfect match, doesn't it? Almost like everything may be falling in place for Houston. There's no city looking for an NHL team with a better arena already built than Houston and the Toyota Center, Alexander already stated a long time ago that he want to own a team in Houston, and Pittsburgh may not get a good stadium deal off. Plus, we don't have to spend anything because the world-class arena is there to use. That plus the fact that Hilton may soon officially buy the Comets and lease from Toyota Center?! That's three professional teams in one arena. Over 120 days a year when the arena would be used for sports. Then there's the other events. If they were to move to Houston, I'd say the Toyota Center deal was a major success! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Hmm, it still doesn't say if they are willing to sell. Nor if Les Alexander would be willing to share the Toyota Center with a team that he doesn't own. It'll definitely be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Hmm, it still doesn't say if they are willing to sell. Nor if Les Alexander would be willing to share the Toyota Center with a team that he doesn't own. It'll definitely be interesting.the only bad thing to come out of this is that some concerts will have to play in the pavilion if the toyota center is booked with events.but i agree, it could be quite interesting to see what happens if all three teams stay there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 What would happen to the Aeros if they came? Doesn't Watson own them? I forget his whole name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skwatra Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 the Aeros would most likely move to somewhere in Minnesota, since they are the farm team of the Wild, and owned MN Sports and Enterntainment. maybe Duluth?It will be sad to see them leave, but having an NHL would make it worth while. Hope they can pick it up this season and make another playoff run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 the only bad thing to come out of this is that some concerts will have to play in the pavilion if the toyota center is booked with events. Not neccesarily. Two reason why that may not be the case: 1) More concert space is available downtown than before, and 2) Houston Dynamo is still looking to build a new stadium. Most MLS stadiums are built as concert space. Say they were to build within 5 minutes of downtown (retractable I hope ), and an NHL team moved here, The Dynamo stadium would be the perfect alternative venue for major concerts. Everyone benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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