Second Team in Toronto?

1) First lets get past the joke: "When will Toronto get its FIRST NHL team?" Seriously though according to a local Toronto paper the subject has apparently been raised by the league owners at their most recent meetings. The simple question(s) should be "Why not, and What has taken so long"?


2) Toronto, hockey crazy Canada's biggest city, has but one single team. Meanwhile in the less than hockey crazy LA vicinity there are two (Kings and Ducks). The NY metro area has 3(Devils in nearby Newark, NJ, Rangers, and Islanders-20 miles to their East) So certainly the Toronto metro area can support more than one franchise. Its pretty much a no brainer, but can/would it happen?

3) There are significant barriers.

• The issue of expansion versus relocation? Will the NHL move one of the weak teams(Nashville/Atlanta/Florida) or expand to Las Vegas and a Canadian city?


• A building where they can play. Would the Leafs allow a rival to share their building? It would make them money, but the ACC is already a very busy venue


• Compensation to the Leafs for giving up their territory Of these concerns we believe the ladder is the biggest stumbling block. In our opinion the leafs organization will have this over their dead body. Two teams means less demand for hockey which equates into lowering ticket prices.

4) So we decided to ask around to our sources north of the border to hear what they knew if anything on this issue. Here's what we were told: "That story is total bullshit, (a second team in) Toronto has never been discussed with the board, the executive committee or any other league committee". This view would seem to make sense. Bettman already was told by the Sabres and Leafs that they wouldn't allow a team in Hamilton, so why would the Leafs allow a team to literally eliminate their monopoly on hockey in Toronto? The issue is mute. It ain't happening! Perhaps in Hamilton or another western Ontario city, but NEVER in Toronto! Sorry Mr. Balsillie.