OT: NHL officially coming to Seattle

[burrrton]

Presented without comment:

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/2545 ... se-seattle

Ok, one comment: SWEET.

[Vegaseahawk]

Having just experienced this in Las Vegas, I can say that it has changed the city & not in a small way. It's SO AWESOME having the Golden Knights here. I wore a VGK jersey up to Seattle in June, & I got dozens of compliments on it. Seattleites are very ready to welcome a new sports franchise to the Emerald City.

[RiverDog]

I have mixed emotions. I think that it's cool that Seattle finally got a hockey franchise and feel that they'll be well supported. With the close proximity of Vancouver and their Canucks, there's the potential for spawning a Red Sox/Yankees type of rivalry.

But I am not thrilled with their decision to remodel Key Arena rather than team up with Chris Hansen's proposed venue in Sodo. The traffic getting in and out of there is going to be an absolute nightmare, and there's no dedicated roadway transit within a mile of the place as an alternate.

[obiken]

The City of Seattle was never going to NOT use Key Arena, it would have been a white elephant otherwise. I am pissed River because I wanted Hockey in PDX. They only reason was Paul Allen, he did not want them competing with the Blazers.

[politicalfootball]

Key arena, isn't that the old Supersonic venue ?

[burrrton]

But I am not thrilled with their decision to remodel Key Arena rather than team up with Chris Hansen's proposed venue in Sodo. The traffic getting in and out of there is going to be an absolute nightmare, and there's no dedicated roadway transit within a mile of the place as an alternate.

Couldn't agree more. Even if they're able to remodel that dump back to respectability, it's still smack dab in the middle of Seattle Center with all the logistical nightmares that come with it.

Contrast that with CenturyLink and Safeco locations (which would have also essentially been the SoDo location).

Monumentally stupid decision, all too typical of Seattle leadership, that I hope doesn't hurt the new franchise too badly.

[RiverDog]

The City of Seattle was never going to NOT use Key Arena, it would have been a white elephant otherwise. I am pissed River because I wanted Hockey in PDX. They only reason was Paul Allen, he did not want them competing with the Blazers.

There's more reasons than Paul Allen not wanting a hockey team to compete with his Blazers that keeps the NHL from putting a franchise in Portland.

The league would NEVER put a franchise in Portland when a ripe plumb like Seattle is waiting to be picked.

[RiverDog]

Couldn't agree more. Even if they're able to remodel that dump back to respectability, it's still smack dab in the middle of Seattle Center with all the logistical nightmares that come with it.

Contrast that with CenturyLink and Safeco locations (which would have also essentially been the SoDo location).

Monumentally stupid decision, all too typical of Seattle leadership, that I hope doesn't hurt the new franchise too badly.

Sodo is/was the perfect location. It's at the junction of 3 major freeways (I-5, I-90, and SR 99), and within walking distance from light rail/Amtrak, Coleman dock, cruise ship terminals, and within walking distance of downtown hotels and restaurants, the waterfront, etc. SeaTac is a 15 minute drive by car and direct access by light rail.

You're exactly right about those baboons on the Seattle city council.

[jshawaii22]

If they name them the "Totems" I'm down... I used to go to a lot of their games as a kid. Had a baby sitter who was the aunt for one of the players in the early 60's -- (excuse my spelling) Guyle Fielder... I used to sit right behind the bench and had all kinds of broken and used 'stuff' -- made for great 'show and tell' at school.

Good Luck Seattle -- Maybe the NBA is next -

[burrrton]

If they name them the "Totems" I'm down

Not sure I can get excited about that one... maybe it would grow on me.

[burrrton]

You're exactly right about those baboons on the Seattle city council.

They're literally laughingstock, although Portland seems to want to give them a run for their money.

[c_hawkbob]

If they name them the "Totems" I'm down... I used to go to a lot of their games as a kid. Had a baby sitter who was the aunt for one of the players in the early 60's -- (excuse my spelling) Guyle Fielder... I used to sit right behind the bench and had all kinds of broken and used 'stuff' -- made for great 'show and tell' at school.

Good Luck Seattle -- Maybe the NBA is next -

In the early 70's the Tote's had a defenseman named Skip Bartell, regularly led the team in penalty minutes ... his little sister was my HS sweetie. we used to go watch him all the time! I think the Totems would be the perfect throwback name.

[Aseahawkfan]

Wish it was a basketball team. Just not a big fan of hockey. Maybe I'll watch to support Seattle sports. I don't know. If this is just another Mariners suck for years situation, then it will suck.

[Rambo2014]

LOL Another Loser for the List

Seahawks
Huskies
Mariners
New Hockey Team
XFL

who am I missing?

BTW no way you beat the Vikings on Monday Minn - 34, Sea 17 see you have the Oregon Ducks outfits on LOL

LA RAMS are secure in the route to the SB

[RiverDog]

Wish it was a basketball team. Just not a big fan of hockey. Maybe I'll watch to support Seattle sports. I don't know. If this is just another Mariners suck for years situation, then it will suck.

I'm not a hockey fan, either. Back in 1980 when the USA won the gold medal in the winter olympics, I tried to get into it but it just wouldn't take root in me. Part of the problem is that I played football, basketball, and baseball, but I've ice skated just once, let alone play hockey, so I can't identify with it like I can the other 3 major sports. Hockey is noting but a bunch of chaotic movements as far as I am concerned.

But there are others that just love it. We have a WHL team here locally that's always drawn well. There is a potentially good market up here. I would have rather seen an NBA franchise move in, but so be it.

[Oly]

Part of the problem is that I played football, basketball, and baseball, but I've ice skated just once, let alone play hockey, so I can't identify with it like I can the other 3 major sports. Hockey is noting but a bunch of chaotic movements as far as I am concerned.

This hits the nail on the head. It's just hard for me to follow a sport I've never played, even on the playground. Then again, my second rooting interest after the Hawks is the Sounders, and I never played much soccer, so I suppose it's possible that my instinct to root for any Seattle team will take over and I'll end up liking them.

As for the name, I'd be down with the Totems or Sockeyes. For either, I'd like to see them consult with local tribes to find a way to make the logo and aesthetic reflect the Native presence in a way that is respectful. That is one of the things I liked about the Hawks logo even as a kid; that art just feels like Seattle to me and it respects the heritage of the place.

[Hawktawk]

My best friend is a MCD restaurateur and has a luxury suite at the toyota center in wenatchee so i watched a couple of Wild games and I have to admit it grew on me as they wound up damn near winning it all in their league. I never gave a damn about the sport until the miracle on Ice in the olympics back in the day. Still its probably my least favorite pro sport tied with baseball and basketball. Now if the Sonics return that's a whole different story.

[NorthHawk]

Hockey is one of those sports that if you played it, you'd love it, even if it was just floor hockey.
I wasn't a good enough skater to compete at a high level, but it was a gas playing it.
For me, Basketball is just too wimpy. If you were allowed to stove the guy with the ball it would be a lot more fun,
but this getting a foul because you touched someone when they were shooting just turns me off. I was sent to the
weight room every PE class we played because I fouled out within the first couple of minutes. It was just too
frustrating for me to enjoy playing and I get bored watching it.

[politicalfootball]

Hockey love to play it love to watch it. By play I Mean field hockey also have shot a puck on the ice.

I'm all for it and think they should be named the "Silver Salmon ".

[RiverDog]

As for the name, I'd be down with the Totems or Sockeyes. For either, I'd like to see them consult with local tribes to find a way to make the logo and aesthetic reflect the Native presence in a way that is respectful. That is one of the things I liked about the Hawks logo even as a kid; that art just feels like Seattle to me and it respects the heritage of the place.

I wouldn't advance a logo that tribes objected to, but I damn sure wouldn't necessarily let them make the call on it. My understanding is that's how we ended up with the stoned seagull, which IMO was the 2nd lamest NFL logo ever, topped only by Tampa Bay's winking pirate.

I'd like to see a nickname like the Lumberjacks, something that's unique in the professional sporting world, inspires a tough, rugged attitude, and reflective of an industry that helped make our region into what it is today.

[Oly]

I wouldn't advance a logo that tribes objected to

That's what I meant.

My understanding is that's how we ended up with the stoned seagull, which IMO was the 2nd lamest NFL logo ever, topped only by Tampa Bay's winking pirate.

I'd like to see a nickname like the Lumberjacks, something that's unique in the professional sporting world, inspires a tough, rugged attitude, and reflective of an industry that helped make our region into what it is today.

We'll just have to disagree. The silver helmet with the original logo remains my favorite helmet in NFL history.

And while I agree about everything you said about the uniqueness of Lumberjacks, the Monty Python-inspired ridicule disqualifies that possibility. ... Just after typing that sentence I had to go to YouTube to listen to it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZa26_esLBE). I swear to gawd, this is the top comment: "In a hockey game it was us vs a team called the lumberjacks... they played this clip at the beginning of the game. I was rolling on the floor." I rest my case.

[EmeraldBullet]

Im excited for Seattle getting a team. Now I will have to choose and allegiance though. Grew up in Bellingham rooting for the canucks. Now I live closer to Seattle, but should I really switch teams? I might wait to see the uniforms and team name before I make a decision.

[NorthHawk]

Im excited for Seattle getting a team. Now I will have to choose and allegiance though. Grew up in Bellingham rooting for the canucks. Now I live closer to Seattle, but should I really switch teams? I might wait to see the uniforms and team name before I make a decision.

Geez the Canucks have had some god awful jerseys in the past.
Their current ones aren't bad, but the yellow V's were the worst.
I just hope the new Hockey team doesn't have that radioactive puke green that the other teams seem to want to foist upon the world.
I'm talking about the Sounders and the alternative Seahawks jerseys. The Seahawks one is an embarrassment.

[RiverDog]

I just hope the new Hockey team doesn't have that radioactive puke green that the other teams seem to want to foist upon the world.
I'm talking about the Sounders and the alternative Seahawks jerseys. The Seahawks one is an embarrassment.

I agree with you about the neon green base color, but I wouldn't hold my breath on the new Seattle team doing something hideous like what U of Oregon has done with their uniforms.