A better question to Leafs fans is:  Why in the hell are you Leafs fans?!?!?!

Posted by Puckhead from Jersey!! on 04/29/09 at 10:57 PM ET

Winnipeg should get a team first.

Posted by Thag from DC on 04/29/09 at 11:21 PM ET

look at it like this, new york for all intents and purposes has 3 teams when you throw NJ in there which, lets face it is about 100 yards away. 

2 of those teams made the playoffs.  2 of those teams cant draw a crowd.  1 of those teams has better than a casual fan base.  and, even the top team, the rangers is last in interest behind the yankees, mets, giants, knicks, jets, and heck even the nets. 

there is without a doubt no reason why toronto shouldnt have two teams.  it wont be a hard sale.  they might have a hard time getting a true fan base, what with the leafs being engrained in those hosers heads all their lives, but you can guarantee the seats will be filled. 

phoenix should move to toronto.  winnipeg deserves a team as well, but you gotta go where the money is first.

Posted by jake morgandorfer from jokecity on 04/30/09 at 12:50 AM ET

Doesnt toronto have to have a NHL team, before they can have a second one?

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 04/30/09 at 02:11 AM ET

All these digs on a historic franchise…people said the same thing about the bruins (pretty much) up until this year   Or the Blue Jackets, or the Blues.  But really, YES there are enough people in Canada to support a team less than 50 miles away from toronto should the NHL do it?  No.  You’re going to end up with 3 teams in a small radius (within a couple hours)...all of which (at this point) would be in rebuilding mode.  If the NHL is going to do it they should move the Islanders, Devils, Predators, Panthers, or Coyotes.  I’ve HEARD about attendance problems in Miami and Phoenix, I’ve WITNESSED attendance issues in Jersey and on Long Island.  I was just watching a Devils playoff game and it looked like 15% was empty…unheard of come playoff time.  I was at the Verizon center (right?) last year about 3 weeks before the playoffs against the penguins and it was REALLY empty (60% capacity?); I was also at the Nassau Colisseum a couple of days before and I got glass seats for 40 bucks, attendance was about the same.  I’m sure it’s worse in Nashville and Florida. 

In retrospect, they should reduce the price of tickets, concessions, and parking; even if teams aren’t competitive at least you can catch the other team whomp on your hometown team for somewhat cheap.

Move someone, don’t water down the NHL further.

Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 04/30/09 at 02:36 AM ET

hahaha oh look at that great joke! A first professional team!

Unfortunately, Winnipeg and Quebec City aren’t viable options because the corporate support doesn’t exist and the MTS Centre is too small.

I think another team in the city could survive and thrive. They’re are lots of corporations and fans that would support them if only because they hate the Leafs. MLSE could rent out the ACC, make money on concessions, and probably get a deal for some television rights to the new team’s games to put on LeafsTV.

I think that there is definitely a business case to be made for MLSE to allow another team.

Posted by Pension Plan Puppets on 04/30/09 at 08:48 AM ET