6 Reasons a Team in Seattle Would Be Great for the NHL

The NHL has some problems with current franchises.

Most notable is the ownership—or lack thereof—in Phoenix with the Coyotes (source: Phoenix Business Journal). The sale to potential owner Greg Jamison has been an on-again, off-again affair. While the latest news seems positive for Jamison, there are no guarantees the deal will go through.

The situation in Dallas was shaky until Mark Gaglardi took ownership in April. The Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils (source: TheSportingNews.com) have an array of financial problems.

The city of Atlanta was unable to sustain franchises on two occasions, losing the Flames to Calgary and the Thrashers to Winnipeg, where they were renamed the Jets.

If the NHL relocates a current franchise or decides to expand, Seattle is a city that deserves consideration.

Before that could ever happen, the NHL would need to see finalized plans for a new arena (source: KIRO-TV.com). Once that happens, the NHL could allow a team to play in Key Arena, the same building the NBA abandoned when the Seattle SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

While it is not a building that the NHL would want on a permanent basis, it could be fine on a temporary basis while a new arena is constructed.

Population

Seattle has the kind of population that can support an NHL team.

According to population figures from Seattle.gov, the 2012 population of Seattle  is 616,500. That was an increase of eight percent from the 2000 census.

Seattle is the 23rd most-populous city in the United States. It ranks just behind Boston and just ahead of Denver.

Rivalry with Vancouver

An NHL team in Seattle could build a keen rivalry with the powerful Vancouver Canucks.

Seattle is just 140 miles from Vancouver, British Columbia, and fans from either team could easily make the drive to the opponent's arena in a little over two hours.

A natural rivalry could help establish the team as part of Seattle's culture. Since the Canucks are one of the better teams in the NHL and should remain in the upper echelon for the foreseeable future, it would be easy for Seattle fans to feel a sense of pride when their team beat Vancouver.

It might take some doing for Vancouver fans to build the same kind of animosity for a Seattle franchise.

Emotional Fans

Seattle fans are known for their passion and their ability to impact games.

Visiting NFL players at Qwest Field often say that playing the Seahawks can be difficult because of the decibel level the fans bring when they are worked up. When the Seahawks are playing a big game, the fans can make an opponent's signal calls almost impossible to hear.

When the Seahawks and baseball's Seattle Mariners played in  the Kingdome, that building was often considered one of the loudest buildings for opponents.

A hockey team in Seattle would certainly bring the same kind of reaction from fans.

Gratitude

The owners of the Seattle SuperSonics were unable to get a new arena built for their team and they left Seattle and became the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the start of the 2008-09 season.

Their departure shattered the hearts of thousands of Sonics fans who had supported the team in Seattle since 1967.

If the NHL were to put a franchise in Seattle, the city would be filled with gratitude.

It would mean that the league has confidence in the city after the NBA decided to close up shop.

The NHL would need to see finalized plans for a new stadium before considering the move.

Tradition

The Seattle Metropolitans played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from 1915 through 1924, according to SeattleHockey.net.

The PCHA consisted of the Metropolitans and three other west coast teams—Vancouver, Portland and Victoria, B.C.

In the 1915-16 season, the Metropolitans had a 9-9 record and finished in second place. The following year, the Mets (as they were commonly known) won the league title with a 16-8 record. That gave them the right to play the Montreal Canadiens for the Stanley Cup.

The Canadiens won the National Hockey Association title. However, the Metropolitans were not impressed, and they defeated the Canadiens three games to one to win the Stanley Cup Final.

The Metropolitans lost the Stanley Cup Final in 1920 to the Ottawa Senators, and that was the last time Seattle played for hockey's championship.

Experienced Ownership

Don Levin, the owner of the AHL's Chicago Wolves, is reported to be in the group that wants to bring hockey to Seattle.

According to a KIROTV.com report, Levin was in Seattle in 2011 to speak with officials about a site for a new arena on the east side of Seattle.

Levin has experience at running a professional hockey team, and that would most likely be a positive factor for the NHL to consider.