Lightning to Strike Victoria BC in 2011?

Long gone now is the age of Canadian teams relocating south to the States.

With the strength of the Canadian dollar, and the Leafs, Canadiens, Flames, Oilers, Senators and Canucks making up a huge percentage of the NHL's overall revenue. In fact the 6 based Canadian teams make up around 30.5% of overall league revenue.

Canadian teams operating income surpasses the league total, which means that the combined operating income in the US is negative.

So doesn't it only make sense to expand back into Canada?

Bring back the Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques, and put teams in Hamilton and Saskatoon.

The talent pool is probably now at its highest, and the new rules allow for the smaller more skilled players to make an impact like never before which means there wouldn't be a drowning of talent if an expansion was to take place.

Which brings us to the Tampa Bay Lightning situation.

It is no secret that the new owners and alot of the front office are involved in Bear Mountain (Victoria BC's premier resort community), which is Len Barrie's bread and butter.

With a population of over 750,000 and growing it could very easily support an NHL franchise, especially after the 2010 Winter Olympics are set to be held in the scenic surroundings.

Len Barrie and his group have denied any rumours that they will move the team, but if they struggle at the gate don't be surprised if the Tampa Bay Lightning find a new home for the 2011-12 season.

If not, well I'm sure it is only a matter of time before the league expands back into the "Great White North", because like Barrie's Bear Mountain; Canada is the NHL's bread and butter.