3 ways the Calgary Flames arena fight could shape the future of the NHL

CALGARY, AB - APRIL 17: A general view of the exterior of the Scotiabank Saddledome prior to Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 17, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

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2. It could encourage other cities to pitch, lure and poach teams.

The city of Calgary has made their stance quite clear: The Flames will have to pay for the entire arena on their own. Or at least that’s the tough guy stance they’re currently taking — and one that may result in the loss of their NHL team.

There are multiple options for relocation, if it comes down to that, and the Flames would be smart to jump on them if the city of Calgary is unwilling to negotiate.

The first option is Seattle. The city of Seattle is working with a group of investors and professional athletes to build a new arena there and they would surely love to fill a void of professional teams with an NHL organization.

While the original hope in Seattle was to bring back an NBA franchise, the NHL was always going to be part of the plan, especially with a situation like the Flames arising. So, will cities like Seattle start to offer teams new arenas with favorable deals upon the first sign of controversy?

While it would be frowned upon, it is not at all outside the realm of possibilities. There are other cities that have been rumored to want an NHL team, like Quebec City, which already has an arena, and Houston. Gary Bettman would love nothing more than to “develop the game” in a Southern city like Houston.

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