Leafs To Get an Area Rival?
NHL Expansion To Greater Toronto Area Possible
Team owners Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) previously stated their conditions on a possible expansion. The only way the team ownership would agree to expansion would be if shown proof the second team’s presence wouldn’t jeopardize the Leafs’ position in the marketplace.
The City of Vaughn Ontario is located just north of Toronto.
League Officials Meet Vaughn-Based Group
Media reports NHL officials including deputy-commissioner Bill Daly met with a group of Vaughn-based businessmen interested in bringing a team to the city. The group, headed by former Leaf Kevin Maguire plans to build a stadium at the intersection of Highway 400 and 7, just north of Pearson International Airport.
Maguire is enthusiastic about the bid. In remarks published on cbc.ca he admitted that although the league isn’t planning expansion now, he hoped they would keep Vaughn in mind for future plans: “I truly believe getting an NHL team would be tremendous for the city of Vaughn, but the league has said that a second team for the Toronto area is not something that’s on their radar screen right now.”
The NHL admitted the meeting with the group took place. In remarks published by cbc.ca league deputy-commissioner Bill Daly firmly stated there was no interest in putting another team in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA): “ We have no interest in expanding or relocating any existing franchises.”
The interested parties also met with National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) executive director Paul Kelly. In remarks published on cbc.ca Kelly said he thought the possibility of a 2nd NHL franchise for the GTA should be examined and relocation should remain a possibility: “The viability of a second team in Toronto or Southern Ontario should be explored so in the event a relocation needs to be considered for franchises that are struggling where they are currently located a well-informed decision can be made.”
Previous Attempts At A GTA Franchise
Research-In-Motion (RIM)’s CEO Jim Ballsille has made several attempts at buying, and relocating an NHL team. Any purchase he’d make would see a team moved to either Hamilton or Kitchener, both situations where teams would be taking fans away from Buffalo and Toronto (Hamilton) or Toronto and Detroit (Kitchener). Speculation is there are NHL officials against him, and that’s why he hasn’t been awarded an NHL team yet.
A team rumoured to be on the move is the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes are in financial trouble and have lost approximately $35 million (USD). The league is said to be ready to help the team break a 35-year lease if the team is sold.
Getting second NHL team in the Toronto area could take years.
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