Leafs are a good team. They are competitive, but NHL-field is leveled, and the last collective agreement makes it virtually impossible, for some time at least, to show consistently good results by plain spending. Full stadiums indicate good fans.
>Toronto could compete, but they choose not to. They've never had a reason to worry about it. Stick a last place team in Toronto, and they still sell the arean out. Standing room only, Seasons tickets handed down to the next generation. It's crazy. They're making money hand over fist without having to do anything much to earn it.
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>They need a good scare to make them start spending like they need to.
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>>Canada-based franchises have obvious problems competing for good players with US-based teams. The players want higher salary in Canada. Sens were able to collect excellent young team some years ago and they are able to get to finals now; new collective agreement helped too. However, in long-run competing with US teams is difficult; and btw the same reason makes Predators move to Canada problematic.
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>>>I hear you. The same can be said about the Habs :(
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>>>>They do nothing at all for their fan base except to raise prices, and still the stands are filled every game. Maybe if there was a decent team somewhere else nearby, they'd have to start being serious about the sport again.
Edward Pikman
Independent Consultant