So let’s say a parent decides to take their kid to a hockey game – the Leafs likely won’t happen, so they have a second option and guess what… that kid may then become a Toronto Coyotes fan… and thus, starting a new tradition.

Whereas put a team in Hamilton – where yes most NHL fans by default still cheer for the Leafs – but with the undercurrent of anti-Toronto sentiment that can be seen at any Argos-TiCats CFL game – or even Marlies – Bulldogs – AHL games – and there is a much more natural base for rabid and loyal fans. I can’t see a second Toronto team capturing that sort of loyalty. They’d be the Clippers of Toronto.

There would be no real reason for somebody to cheer for the other team over the Leafs – not like the North side vs the south that sort of delineates Cubs and White Sox fans.

I grew up in Hamilton – but have lived in Toronto for over 20 years now – yet I honestly could not tell you who I would be cheering for if the Coyotes moved to Hamilton tomorrow and played the Leafs on Monday. If the Coyotes moved to Toronto – I’d without a doubt still be cheering for the Leafs in a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Toronto Coyotes game.

To be honest, I’d love to see Québec City get a franchise again (provided a new arena was built). Winnipeg would be nice from a sentamental point of view but let’s be honest – while the MTS Centre is a beautiful facility, they didn’t build it to hold more than 15,500… which would make it difficult to break even. And I question whether or not the corporate support would be there.

Either way, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Phoenix experiment has failed and that Canada is deserving of another franchise.

As for the only team that 8 million of us in southern Ontario are stuck with for now – the Leafs – some things never change.

The Leafs dominated Montreal for much of the game last night and took a 3-2 lead midway through the third period. I said to my roommate – ‘Here is where they would always blow it the last few years – never able to hold the lead.’ A minute later Craig simpson on the Hockey Night in Canada telecast mentions the same thing.

Need I tell you what happened….. 4-3 Habs in overtime – sigh!

I will give the Leafs credit for a few things though. They will be much tougher this year and will not be pushed around and some of the new additions – especially Viktor Stalberg who can FLY – look look like they are going to be very exciting to watch. The organization knows how to put on a great pre-game ceremony with last night’s opening including usual season opener Scottish Highlander Pipes and Drum marching band on the ice. And a ceremonial face-off dedicated to Canada’s 2010 Olympic team that featured some of Canada’s hockey heroes from previous international hockey tournaments, including Cassie Campbell (from the women’s Gold medal team), Darryl Sittler – who scored the winning goal in one of the Canada Cup tournamnets, Mario Lemieux – who did the same – on an assist from Gretzky (ironically at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton where the Coyotes should be playing now), and Paul Henderson who in 1972 scored the greatest goal in Canadian hockey history in Moscow to win the first summit series. Huge standing ovations for all. And then it was the crowd – 19,000 + who sang O Canada with no anthem singer. GREAT STUFF!

2.5 hours later – sadly – same old – same old. Sigh!

They have a great core of players and if healthy, can be a definite threat in the Eastern Conference. Their toughness will be able to push past the Washington Capitals… and I think they can beat the Penguins this year – again, providing Emery is solid and Daniel Briere remains healthy.

As for Phoenix Coyotes… while I’m not sure Hamilton is the right answer, I’m confident that Phoenix is isn’t either. They’ve lost money ever since they moved from Winnipeg and while in any other league the team would have been long gone by now, the stubborness of Gary Bettman is keeping this sinking ship above water.

Mark my words – this will be the final season of NHL hockey in Arizona.