Niagara IceDogs or Hamilton Predators

[jjdccmk]

If the Nashville Predators end up moving to to Hamilton, does anyone think the IceDogs would get hit hard at the box office?

[dogfan]

This is obviously not going to happen this year, so it maybe to early to tell. If the Dogs can establish a core of fans it may not have any effect.
Besides, Nashville, Buffalo and Bettman all stand in the way of the Preds moving to Hamilton.


This is from a Yahoo news article today.

However, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said that even if the sale of the Predators goes through, the franchise "is not going anywhere."

Bettman said he met with Balsillie in May and asked whether he had intentions to relocate the franchise.

"He told me that he did not," Bettman said before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals between Ottawa and Anaheim.

There is something going on, and the team may move but I don't think it will be for at least a couple years if not longer.

[Kevin]

I think it will hurt the IceDogs to some degree. But most people can't afford to see an NHL game, never mind purchase season tickets. I think the main competition will come from televised Hamilton games.

[sportscrazy]

Fans already have the option of going to see the Sabres or watching the Leafs on TV. I say minimal impact on the Ice dogs.

[excanucksfan]

I think it could hurt if they consistently play on a certain night and that night is also the night the IceDogs play. For instance, if the Predators play Thursday night with good TV coverage, some fans may stay home and watch the Predators on TV rather than going to the IceDogs.

[groulxisright]

Sounds like the Hamilton Preds are now dead, just like the Hamilton Penguins.