Wednesday, July 13, 2005

New CBA could be a positive development for Canadian Hockey

With the glacial like movements in the CBA between the NHL and NHLPA many hockey fans may wonder if they'll ever see hockey again. But one hockey observer says that once the I's are dotted and the T's crossed Canadian hockey may never be stronger.

Howard Bloom who publishes sportsbusiness.com says that with the new agreement in place we may shortly see the return of Quebec City and Winnipeg. Bloom feels that with salary certainty now a definite part of the new NHL Canadian teams and cities will find it much easier to survive in the NHL

Bloom says that the league will have to re-evaluate it's current markets and cut loose those cities that just don't embrace hockey. Giving the old NHL cities a chance to bring the game back and let it thrive in a more secure financial environment.

He goes on to suggest that hockey was never going to work in the American Southeast and the sooner the NHL relocates those franchises to a place which appreciates the game the better. So HockeyNation fans in Quebec City and Winnipeg should best start saving up their money, season tickets at Le Colisee and the MTS Centre may go on sale sooner than you think!

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