World Hockey Association (WHA) good sub for NHL?

Waran · Post by **Waran** » March 16, 2004, 9:32 pm

So what you guys think of Bobby Hull and company's venture in getting the WHA back again while the NHL sputters and dies next year?

http://www.worldhockeyassociation.net

and

http://www.worldhockeyassociation.net/history.htm

Interesting read of what the WHA was in the past, they've got 11 teams reserved (With St. Louis being one of them, so I'm good for Hockey next year

Thoughts?

Post by **Xouqoa** » March 17, 2004, 12:48 am

I'm all for it. I hope they institute a salary cap, the NHL folds, and all the NHL teams and players move to the WHL with the cap.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » March 17, 2004, 1:06 am

why would you want all the history of the NHL to die?

they probably own trademarks on team names and they probably own the intellectual property rights of the Stanley Cup.

no way would that be a good thing.

if you want to move the Orlando Predators...ok Nashville, but who gives a fuck, Columbus BLue Jackets, Phoenix Assclownz, Mighty Ducks and the Fucking Colorodo NOrdiques to the WHA and drop a tactical nuke on their All-Star Game, then thats cool with me.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » March 17, 2004, 2:42 am

Honestly, even if it takes off it will die the same death facing the NHL unless it faces some key issues:

- player salary escalation - I don't see that the WHA would be much different except if they managed to make players shareholders of the teams, thus more inclined to trust financial reports issued by them.

- diluted talent pool due to excessive expansion - this has been something fostered by the NHL but if the WHA comes into being, and the NHL is able to make labour peace, this problem would be compounded... and lets be honest, it would hurt a new league more than the existing NHL

- ridiculous officiating (or rather lack thereof) ruining the on-ice product - again an NHL-originating problem, but how would the WHA deal with the rampant uncalled stick and interference infractions that are a part of the whole Neutral Zone Trap philosophy of so many teams? In the short term, if they can attract the talented players it may not be an issue, but as the league expands (and it won't stay at 6 teams if it hopes to exist) old professional habbits will resurface. Unless the WHA takes a harder line on officiating they will again face another of the present day NHL's banes.

Also as Voronwe said, regardless of the "history" of the old WHA, it pales in comparason to the NHL. 4 old WHA franchises still exist in the present NHL (Edmonton, Carolina from Hartford/New England, Colorado from Quebec, and Phoenix from Winnipeg) but they pale in comparason to the mystique of playing for a more storied team. Granted, if the money is there, players will come but given the choice which would you choose? And its the dream of kids to play for the Stanley Cup, not the Avco Cup (or whatever they chose to call their new trophy).

Post by **Xouqoa** » March 17, 2004, 2:45 pm

Okay, so move all the teams AND the Stanley Cup to the WHL.

I was just being silly, really. I just wish the NHL would work things out so we don't have ot miss hockey next season - and I wish I could afford to go to games and not have to pay $100 for good seats! ><

Dups. · Post by **Dups.** » March 17, 2004, 2:49 pm

I wish I could afford to go to games and not have to pay $100 for good seats!

Amen!! Toronto tickets are insanely priced.

miir · Post by **miir** » March 19, 2004, 6:19 pm

Dups. wrote:
I wish I could afford to go to games and not have to pay $100 for good seats!

Amen!! Toronto tickets are insanely priced.

Supply and demand.
Every game is sold out.
Nearly every game was even sold out in the Ballard years.

Toronto could support 3 losing hockey teams better than the New Jersey can support a Stanley Cup champion.

As for the NHL folding, that sort of talk is nonsensical.
Major league baseball was in a far more sorry state than the NHL when they had a work stoppage and they have rebounded just fine.

There needs to be a salary cap.. I suspect the NHLPA will realise this before there is a work stoppage.
There needs to be sweeping changes in officiating and rule changes to make the on-ice product more entertaining and appealing.
They need to shitcan the franchises in cities that can/will not support them.

Alfan · Post by **Alfan** » March 21, 2004, 2:19 pm

Why the hate for the Blue Jackets