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Many people believe that Ottawa, the capital of Canada, doesn’t need an NHL team. But there are plenty of good reasons why Ottawa should have an NHL team – and here are just a few of them!
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The NHL in Canada’s Capital
The National Hockey League is the premier professional hockey league in the world, and it is time for Ottawa to have a team. The city has a rich hockey history, dating back to the early 1900s, and it is home to some of the most passionate hockey fans in the country. Having an NHL team would be a boost to the city’s economy, and it would give Ottawa residents a sense of pride and belonging.
The city’s long history with the NHL
Ottawa has a long and storied history with the NHL, dating back to the league’s inception in 1917. The city was home to one of the original six teams, the Ottawa Senators, who played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934. The Senators were one of the most successful teams in the league, winning 11 Stanley Cups during their time in the NHL.
After the Senators left Ottawa, the city was without an NHL team for nearly 50 years. In 1992, Ottawa was awarded an expansion franchise, and the Ottawa Senators returned to the NHL. The team has been incredibly successful since returning to the league, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 and winning numerous division and conference titles.
Due to its long history with the NHL, Ottawa is often considered one of hockey’s “traditional” markets. It is also one of only two Canadian cities (along with Vancouver) that has never had an NHL team relocate or go bankrupt. This stability is one of the main reasons why Ottawa is a prime candidate for expansion.
The economic benefits of an NHL team
It is no secret that professional sports teams can have a positive economic impact on the cities they are based in. A recent study by economists at the University of Michigan found that NHL teams generate an average of $170 million in economic activity per year. The same study found that NHL teams also create an average of 1,100 jobs per year.
In addition to the direct economic benefits, there are also indirect benefits to having an NHL team in a city. For example, the presence of an NHL team can help to increase tourism and boost the city’s profile on a national and international stage.
All of this is good news for Ottawa, which is currently vying for an NHL expansion team. The city has been without an NHL team since the Ottawa Senators relocated to Nashville in 1998. However, there has been a recent push to bring an NHL team back to Ottawa, and it seems like the city has a good chance of being awarded an expansion team in the near future.
If Ottawa is successful in its bid for an expansion team, it would be a major coup for the city both economically and culturally.
The Sens’ Struggles
It has been a tough few years for the Sens. They have been close to making the playoffs a few times, but always seem to come up just short. This year, they are currently last in their division and are struggling to keep their fans. With all of this, why does Ottawa need an NHL team?
The team’s financial difficulties
On April 10, 2014, the NHL’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the team to Jeff Hunt of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. The price was reported to be $135 million. On June 29, 2015, it was announced that the team would be renamed the Ottawa Senators.
Since their expansion in 1992, the Ottawa Senators have had financial struggles. In 1998, they were forced to declare bankruptcy due to ownership problems. The NBA took over the team for a short time before selling it to Rod Bryden in 2003.
The team has also been hampered by poor attendance. In their 25-year history, they have only had five seasons where they averaged more than 17,000 fans per game. This is due in part to the fact that Ottawa is the smallest market in the NHL.
The team’s on-ice struggles
Despite having some of the most loyal fans in the NHL, the Ottawa Senators have been unable to find consistent success since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. The team has only made the playoffs three times in the past thirteen seasons, and they have failed to win a playoff series since 2015. The Sens have also been plagued by financial difficulties in recent years, which has led to them trading away several of their best players. As a result, the Senators are currently one of the worst teams in the NHL, and they seem to be getting worse every year.
If the Senators want to turn things around, they need to start by winning more games. But winning is not enough; the team also needs to start attracting more fans to its games. Given the team’s recent struggles, this will be no easy task. But if the Senators can start winning again and build up a strong fan base, they may eventually be able to turn their franchise around.
The NHL’s Return to Ottawa
It’s been over ten years since the Ottawa Senators last played in the NHL, and the city has been without a team ever since. However, there is a movement underway to bring the NHL back to Ottawa. There are a number of reasons why Ottawa needs an NHL team, including the economic benefits it would bring to the city.
The NHL’s expansion plans
In 2017, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced its expansion plans for the upcoming years. Among the expansion teams was the Ottawa Senators, who will be returning to Ottawa after relocating to Toronto in 1934. The return of the Senators to Ottawa will not only bring back a sense of pride and nostalgia to the city, but it will also boost the economy and help revitalize the downtown core.
The Senators are just one of many expansion teams that have been announced by the NHL in recent years. Other cities that have been awarded expansion teams include Seattle, Quebec City, and Las Vegas. The addition of these new teams has increased the number of NHL teams from 30 to 32.
The return of the Senators to Ottawa is a bittersweet moment for many fans. The team holds a special place in the hearts of Ottawans, as they were one of the original six NHL teams. The Senators won 11 Stanley Cups during their time in Ottawa, including four consecutive championships from 1920 to 1923. However, the team left Ottawa in 1934 due to financial problems.
The downtown core of Ottawa has undergone a major transformation since the Senators left in 1934. When welcomed back, the team will have a new home at LeBreton Flats arena which is currently under construction. The arena is set to open in 2021 and will be located just west of Parliament Hill.
The new arena will cost an estimated $500 million to construct and will be able to seat up to 20,000 fans. It is being designed by world-renowned architect firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The arena will also feature a hotel, retail space, and office space. When completed, it is expected to become a major landmark in downtown Ottawa and help revitalize the area.
The return of the Senators is not only good news for hockey fans but also for businesses in downtown Ottawa. It is estimated that the new arena will generate $170 million annually for the local economy and create 1,500 jobs. With construction underway and set to be completed within three years, businesses in Ottawa can look forward to a bright future with more customers and increased foot traffic Downtown Core boosters say business has already increased since talk of an NHL team’s return began..
The city’s bid for an NHL team
Ottawa has been home to an NHL team in the past, but the Ottawa Senators left for St. Louis in 1934. The city has been trying to get an NHL team ever since. In 1992, a group led by Bruce Firestone and Cyril Leeder made a successful bid to bring the NHL back to Ottawa. The Ottawa Senators returned as an expansion team in the league’s modern era.
The city has since made several unsuccessful bids for an NHL team. Most recently, in 2020, a group led by Eugene Melnyk made a bid for the NHL’s second expansion team. The bid was not successful, and the NHL awarded the franchise to Seattle instead.
Despite these unsuccessful attempts, Ottawa remains one of the strongest markets for potential NHL expansion. The city has a rich hockey history dating back to its days as home of the original Senators, and it is currently home to one of the top minor league teams in the country, the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League.
There are a number of reasons why Ottawa is such a strong market for an NHL team. First, it is one of the largest cities in Canada without an NHL team. Second, it is located in close proximity to other major Canadian markets like Toronto and Montreal, which would make for natural rivalries. Finally, it has a strong hockey tradition and a large base of passionate hockey fans.
With Seattle now set to become the 32nd franchise in the NHL, Ottawa’s chances of getting an NHL team anytime soon are slim. However, given its strong market and passionate fan base, it is only a matter of time before another attempt is made to bring professional hockey back to Canada’s capital city
Why Ottawa Needs an NHL Team
The city’s passionate hockey fans
Ottawa has a long and proud history with hockey. The first organized indoor hockey game was played in Ottawa in 1875, and the city has been home to many great hockey teams over the years, including the Ottawa Senators of the NHL.
The city’s passionate hockey fans are one of the main reasons why Ottawa needs an NHL team. There is a proven market for NHL hockey in Ottawa, and the city has the population to support a team. Ottawa is also a great location for an NHL team, as it is situated between two of the league’s major markets, Toronto and Montreal.
Another reason Ottawa needs an NHL team is because of the economic benefits that would come with having a franchise in the city. An NHL team would bring in millions of dollars in revenue to Ottawa through ticket sales, merchandise sales, and broadcasting rights fees. An NHL team would also create jobs for locals and provide a boost to the city’s economy.
There are many good reasons why Ottawa needs an NHL team, and it is time for the city to have another franchise.
The city’s strong economy
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the fourth largest city in the country with a population of over 1 million people. The city has a strong economy, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $170 billion in 2016. The city is also home to a number of major corporations, including Microsoft, Shopify, and Telus.
In addition to its strong economy, Ottawa also has a long history with hockey. The Ottawa Senators were founded in 1883 and were one of the original six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934, when they ceased operations due to financial difficulties. The team was revived in 1992 and began play in the NHL again in 1993.
Ottawa is also home to a number of minor league hockey teams, including the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Ottawa Gee-Gees of the University of Ottawa. These teams help to develop young hockey players and provide them with an opportunity to play at a high level of competition.
The city also has a number of facilities that would be suitable for an NHL team, including the Canadian Tire Centre (formerly known as Scotiabank Place), which is currently home to the Senators. The arena has a capacity of over 19,000 for hockey games and is one of the largest arenas in the NHL.
Given its strong economy, long history with hockey, and suitable facilities, Ottawa would be an excellent choice for an NHL expansion team.
The city’s central location
Ottawa is centrally located in the Eastern half of Canada, making it a perfect location for an NHL team. There are currently no teams in the Central division, so Ottawa would be a great addition. The city also has a strong hockey tradition, with two successful junior teams – the Ottawa 67’s and the Gatineau Olympiques.
