Carolina Hurricanes May Relocate To Las Vegas

Carolina Hurricanes Reportedly Being Linked to Las Vegas Relocation, Opposed to Expansion

Is this the alternative to an expansion draft? Reports surfaced Tuesday that instead of the NHL expanding it is a very viable option the NHL could instead opt to move the Carolina Hurricanes to the city of Las Vegas, the team that would be joining the league in the event of an expansion.

A reason for this may be the increasingly concerning ownership status in Carolina.

Owner Peter Karmanos, who in the past has stated he has no intentions of moving the team, is being sued by his sons over $100 million and the situation has the Hurricanes financial future in limbo.

This stems from reports Karmanos was loaned millions of dollars to help support the team. The 73-year-old owner has been trying to sell the franchise recently and it’s possible he is in debt.

Owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes, the NHL’s executive committee, met Tuesday in New York to discuss potential expansion.

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However, the tides may be turning in the direction of the Hurricanes relocating and putting the proposed expansion draft on hold.

Whatever ‘recommendation’ the committee makes to the NHL (no expansion, delay expansion, expand in 2017-18) will be voted on June 22 by the NHL’s board of governors.

The board has 30 members and 24 votes are needed for the recommendation to be put in action.

The two expansion bids still standing are Las Vegas and Quebec city, but it’s a virtual guarantee Quebec’s bid is turned down.

So now we look at what would happen if the National Hockey League decides to move the Carolina Hurricanes to Las Vegas, making the NHL the first major professional league to have a team in Vegas. Now, would this move make sense and what would the teams facilities and arenas look like?

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In my opinion, relocating the Carolina Hurricanes franchise makes a lot of sense. Las Vegas gets their much wanted club and Peter Karmanos’s financial problems are resolved.

Potential Vegas team owner, and multi-billionaire Bill Foley has successfully funded and built the T-Mobile Arena, a modern, luxurious arena that can hold more than 20,000 people. Foley is now working on a practice facility in Summerlin and has more than 14,000 season ticket deposits.

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In other words, the reincarnated Hurricanes team would be well-funded and have professional grade facilities.

So, what would you do if you were the NHL?