Quote:
Originally Posted by 89911
It nice to see the trophy go to cities that appreciate it, like Detroit and Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh had 375,000 turn out for a parade on a Monday afternoon. Although I like that other cities have equal chances of winning, It irks me that cities like Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and other (usually southern belt) can hoist the cup where as towns like Toronto, Buffalo, and other Canadian teams that live and breath hockey fall short. Is Bettman to blame here?
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Atlanta? No, they've never one. Tamps, yes. Anaheim, yes. Carolina, yes.
I like your point, but heres a different view: Winning in 'non-traditional markets' builds the game. Canadian cities do not need to build the game. Lots of American cities do need a 'boost'.
Is Bettman to blame? Only for actively helping to move teams from Canada to the U.S. And for actively preventing failed southern teams from returning to Canada. But he can not (by any reasonable stretch) be accused of preventing, or even hindering, a Canadian team from winning the cup. They have only themselves to blame in that department. I will be receptive to arguments to the contrary, but I don't expect to hear any.
Still, I blame about 85% of the worlds problems on G.B, 10% on Barry Mannilow, and 5% on rap music/teenagers.