2025-2026 NHL Offseason

nicknyr15

Get_Right said:

I might actually watch rangers vs. the canadiens. Nothing else on really.

Fun game to watch if you’re a rangers fan 

nautical_disaster

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

pjhawks

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

I get your sentiment on Quebec City.  Would love to see them get a team.  That being said the Leafs best player was born in Arizona.   Growing the game in the US to other markets has been very good for the game.  I think Bettman takes way too much heat from fans. I think he has actually done a really good job for the NHL.  

I'd love to see a team from Canada win it (ok maybe not the Canadians).  Toronto winning it will be like my Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the 1st time. The pure joy that will come from that if it every happens will be awesome to see.   Winnipeg or Vancouver winning their first woui would be cool too.  I think it happens in the next few years.  Most of those teams are really good now.  

nautical_disaster

pjhawks said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

I get your sentiment on Quebec City.  Would love to see them get a team.  That being said the Leafs best player was born in Arizona.   Growing the game in the US to other markets has been very good for the game.  I think Bettman takes way too much heat from fans. I think he has actually done a really good job for the NHL.  

I'd love to see a team from Canada win it (ok maybe not the Canadians).  Toronto winning it will be like my Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the 1st time. The pure joy that will come from that if it every happens will be awesome to see.   Winnipeg or Vancouver winning their first woui would be cool too.  I think it happens in the next few years.  Most of those teams are really good now.  

Absolutely growing the game in the US has been great - look at the crowd energy for Nashville and Columbus games, especially when it's a playoff game...It's madness. I should have said "in addition to other markets" haha. LA has 2 teams and the New York area basically has 3 teams with their neighbors in NJ across the river. You can't tell me that Toronto wouldn't excel at having two teams.

pjhawks

nautical_disaster said:

pjhawks said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

I get your sentiment on Quebec City.  Would love to see them get a team.  That being said the Leafs best player was born in Arizona.   Growing the game in the US to other markets has been very good for the game.  I think Bettman takes way too much heat from fans. I think he has actually done a really good job for the NHL.  

I'd love to see a team from Canada win it (ok maybe not the Canadians).  Toronto winning it will be like my Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the 1st time. The pure joy that will come from that if it every happens will be awesome to see.   Winnipeg or Vancouver winning their first woui would be cool too.  I think it happens in the next few years.  Most of those teams are really good now.  

Absolutely growing the game in the US has been great - look at the crowd energy for Nashville and Columbus games, especially when it's a playoff game...It's madness. I should have said "in addition to other markets" haha. LA has 2 teams and the New York area basically has 3 teams with their neighbors in NJ across the river. You can't tell me that Toronto wouldn't excel at having two teams.

Leafs are so loved there though do you think Ontario would support a 2nd team?  

and as much as I think expansion has helped in US still hate teams in Florida which makes it annoying how many Cups those teams have now won.

nautical_disaster

4 is a bit much isn't it haha?

Joking aside, that's the billion dollar question. The powers that be in leafs nation would tell you that it's a horrible idea, but so many people think that a 2nd team should be a no-brainer, ex-maple leafs included. Just the fact that they are the most profitable team in the league, and have literally not made the finals my entire lifetime, shows you how passionate the hockey fans are. 

MayDay10

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

It is one of those crazy things.  Especially odds-defying with a socialized CBA system (hard salary cap) through much of the streak.  Had some game 7 losses (2 by Vancouver, 1 by Edmonton, and 1 by Calgary) off the top of my head.

I would say that none of the Canadian franchises have been run very well or consistently decent over the past 30 years.  

It is also... different, that Canadians take pride in other Canadian teams winning the cup.  I couldnt care less where teams are who win who arent my team.  I used to openly root against who I deemed as "non-traditional", but in 2024, that whole premise is silly.  The Lightning are over 30 years old.  There are teams I hate who I root against first (Flyers, Rangers, Leafs, Bruins).  Some teams I like (Calgary, Edmonton, Minnesota)


As far as NHL expansion... the NHL would be cooler and better with teams in Quebec City, Halifax, and Saskatoon... but none of them will ever happen.  The only outside chance I would give is a 2nd team in Toronto, but that's a long-shot because the Leafs would kick and scream about their territorial rights.
It is all about the television market, tv money and corporate money.  Not just the NHL, but all sports.  I would expect Atlanta and Houston to come into the fold.

pjhawks

MayDay10 said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

It is one of those crazy things.  Especially odds-defying with a socialized CBA system (hard salary cap) through much of the streak.  Had some game 7 losses (2 by Vancouver, 1 by Edmonton, and 1 by Calgary) off the top of my head.

I would say that none of the Canadian franchises have not been run very well or consistently decent over the past 30 years.  

It is also... different, that Canadians take pride in other Canadian teams winning the cup.  I couldnt care less where teams are who win who arent my team.  I used to openly root against who I deemed as "non-traditional", but in 2024, that whole premise is silly.  The Lightning are over 30 years old.  There are teams I hate who I root against first (Flyers, Rangers, Leafs, Bruins).  Some teams I like (Calgary, Edmonton, Minnesota)


As far as NHL expansion... the NHL would be cooler and better with teams in Quebec City, Halifax, and Saskatoon... but none of them will ever happen.  The only outside chance I would give is a 2nd team in Toronto, but that's a long-shot because the Leafs would kick and scream about their territorial rights.
It is all about the television market, tv money and corporate money.  Not just the NHL, but all sports.  I would expect Atlanta and Houston to come into the fold.

Atlanta has had 2 teams already and neither were successful.  

MayDay10

pjhawks said:

MayDay10 said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

It is one of those crazy things.  Especially odds-defying with a socialized CBA system (hard salary cap) through much of the streak.  Had some game 7 losses (2 by Vancouver, 1 by Edmonton, and 1 by Calgary) off the top of my head.

I would say that none of the Canadian franchises have not been run very well or consistently decent over the past 30 years.  

It is also... different, that Canadians take pride in other Canadian teams winning the cup.  I couldnt care less where teams are who win who arent my team.  I used to openly root against who I deemed as "non-traditional", but in 2024, that whole premise is silly.  The Lightning are over 30 years old.  There are teams I hate who I root against first (Flyers, Rangers, Leafs, Bruins).  Some teams I like (Calgary, Edmonton, Minnesota)


As far as NHL expansion... the NHL would be cooler and better with teams in Quebec City, Halifax, and Saskatoon... but none of them will ever happen.  The only outside chance I would give is a 2nd team in Toronto, but that's a long-shot because the Leafs would kick and scream about their territorial rights.
It is all about the television market, tv money and corporate money.  Not just the NHL, but all sports.  I would expect Atlanta and Houston to come into the fold.

Atlanta has had 2 teams already and neither were successful.  

They had some pretty bad and indifferent ownership.  The Thrashers made the playoffs 1x and didnt win a game, and I think the Flames won 1 or 2 playoff games.

The NHL is a pretty bad product if your team is hopeless for a long period of time.  I have seen it first hand in Buffalo.  We had a season ticket waiting list locked in for like 15 years (while the team missed the playoffs much more than qualified)... but now, its just a waste of money for a boring product and they struggle selling tickets.   I could see the team moving and other fans point to the lack of support.

Regardless of all that though, most speculation says the NHL is likely to land there next round.

F Me In The Brain

nautical_disaster said:

pjhawks said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

I get your sentiment on Quebec City.  Would love to see them get a team.  That being said the Leafs best player was born in Arizona.   Growing the game in the US to other markets has been very good for the game.  I think Bettman takes way too much heat from fans. I think he has actually done a really good job for the NHL.  

I'd love to see a team from Canada win it (ok maybe not the Canadians).  Toronto winning it will be like my Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the 1st time. The pure joy that will come from that if it every happens will be awesome to see.   Winnipeg or Vancouver winning their first woui would be cool too.  I think it happens in the next few years.  Most of those teams are really good now.  

Absolutely growing the game in the US has been great - look at the crowd energy for Nashville and Columbus games, especially when it's a playoff game...It's madness. I should have said "in addition to other markets" haha. LA has 2 teams and the New York area basically has 3 teams with their neighbors in NJ across the river. You can't tell me that Toronto wouldn't excel at having two teams.

Anaheim is not LA.
Anaheim is dog trash.

Signed,
LA Kings fan

BTW, I would root for a Canadian team vs a US team not called Kings or Flyers in every circumstances until they win.  
It is messed up.

nautical_disaster

F Me In The Brain said:

nautical_disaster said:

pjhawks said:

nautical_disaster said:

Forgive the rant…but I can’t believe that it’s been over 30 years of disappointment and suckage for an entire hockey nation. Mathematically it’s wild that we haven’t had a winner since 1993, and for my American hockey fans I apologize for this next comment: it just seems wrong that we have been losers for such a massive amount of time. I say wrong because we seemingly are supposed to be the birthplace of Hockey madness. The majority of people in my entire lifetime in Canada enjoy hockey, yet we have nothing to cheer for. Expansions should go to places like Toronto #2, and we all know that people would love Québec City, but they have less corporate support than Phoenix and Atlanta apparently lol. I’m watching less and less hockey every year – and I wonder if it’s just because we’re an irrelevant hockey market. End rant lol

I get your sentiment on Quebec City.  Would love to see them get a team.  That being said the Leafs best player was born in Arizona.   Growing the game in the US to other markets has been very good for the game.  I think Bettman takes way too much heat from fans. I think he has actually done a really good job for the NHL.  

I'd love to see a team from Canada win it (ok maybe not the Canadians).  Toronto winning it will be like my Eagles winning the Super Bowl for the 1st time. The pure joy that will come from that if it every happens will be awesome to see.   Winnipeg or Vancouver winning their first woui would be cool too.  I think it happens in the next few years.  Most of those teams are really good now.  

Absolutely growing the game in the US has been great - look at the crowd energy for Nashville and Columbus games, especially when it's a playoff game...It's madness. I should have said "in addition to other markets" haha. LA has 2 teams and the New York area basically has 3 teams with their neighbors in NJ across the river. You can't tell me that Toronto wouldn't excel at having two teams.

Anaheim is not LA.
Anaheim is dog trash.

Signed,
LA Kings fan

BTW, I would root for a Canadian team vs a US team not called Kings or Flyers in every circumstances until they win.  
It is messed up.

LOL I have a friend who's a diehard Kings fan, and I would expect nothing less from your dedicated fan base Apologies for grouping you with the ducks - i just meant that they are right next to each other haha. It is impressive how kings fans hate the ducks so much - i feel like it's rooted in Cory Perry.

And I appreciate the thoughts Mayday...i do realize it's a pipe dream for expansion in Canada. It's just beyond bizarre to me - i'm biased in my assessment because as a child of the late 80s, early 90s, it was inconceivable to imagine a drought like this, let alone losing franchises. I was also a big fan of the Whalers jersey when I was a kid, so i was just as upset when they left lol.

HughFreakingDillon

the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had a 30 year championship drought. In a league with 8 or 9 other teams. 3 decades. If the Jets win a cup in my lifetime I'll be shocked. 

Wobbie

Is Columbus actually decent or is this a mirage?

nautical_disaster

They shouldn't be lol? Also the caps are one of the best teams in the league somehow...

eeriepadave

I just noticed this recently (like in the past year or two). How come on tv the boards along the rink change advertisements but in person they don't? Just weird.

mrussel1

eeriepadave said:

I just noticed this recently (like in the past year or two). How come on tv the boards along the rink change advertisements but in person they don't? Just weird.

It's really great technology.  Don't feel bad, my wife obsesses on that too.  

HughFreakingDillon

eeriepadave said:

I just noticed this recently (like in the past year or two). How come on tv the boards along the rink change advertisements but in person they don't? Just weird.

Same reason you can’t see an instant reply with no screen

HughFreakingDillon

First team in NHL history to go 14-1 to start the season. If that were the Leafs, people would actually be talking about it. 😂 

Being a grammar nazi, the Leafs name fucking has always triggered me. For different reasons than other sports fans. LEAVES. The Toronto Maple LEAVES. 

Imagine if our AHL team was called the Manitoba Mooses. Or Meese. Just stupid. 

F Me In The Brain

Nice win, Kings are fire at home this season.  

Johnny Abruzzo

HughFreakingDillon said:

eeriepadave said:

I just noticed this recently (like in the past year or two). How come on tv the boards along the rink change advertisements but in person they don't? Just weird.

Same reason you can’t see an instant reply with no screen

I always try to hit the 30-second rewind when I'm at a game and it never works.