Thanks for reading and commenting on my article, Kevin. The heart of the problem is monopoly. The Canadian team owners want to preserve their tv revenue and territorial rights. In particular, Toronto does not want to share the Southern Ontario market with another team, though I doubt if they will suffer much if another team in Hamilton is added. In my opinion, the market is large enough to support several teams. London, Kitchener, Oshawa, and a second Toronto team are all possibilities. So they have joined with American owners who want to make hockey an American game to block expansion to Canada. This policy has been around since the first expansion in 1967 when Vancouver was rejected as an applicant. The only time a Canadian team has been admitted to the NHL without a hitch was when Atlanta was moved to Calgary and Ottawa was admitted, ironically at the expense of Hamilton. The NHL wants to continue this policy and they are prepared to spend big bucks to continue their monopoly by propping up a Phoenix franchise nobody wants.

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the add, and welcome to Bleacher Report. As you know I write about hockey, especially the NHL and the Northwest, and I am the Community Leader for the Calgary Flames department. (Looks like we could have some fun rivalry again this season!) If you ever have any questions or comments please feel free to contact myself or other B/R members. If we can't help you we can find out who can.

Take care, and enjoy the site!

M