Portland is the correct answer here. Thecity has an arena, they have thrown their support behind the Winterhawks sinceownership turned the team around, Bettman has wanted a team in Portland sincethe 90s, and they only have 2 major league sports teams (blazers, timbers). I'dsay it's still 2-3 years off, but if support for the Winterhawks continues tobe strong, I wouldn't be surprised if the Coyotes or Panthers move to the NWsell NHL Jerseys.
Just look at the intense rivalry andpassion between the Sounders, Whitecaps, and Timber supporters. I think Seattleand Portland would translate well into hockey cities. In fact, during theinitial expansion era of the NHL circa 1967, Portland and Seattle were supposedto get franchises. It was messed up politics of the league at the time thatkept hockey out of the Pacific Northwest and the same bs is what took the NewYork/Brooklyn Americans away from the NHL in the 40s. Once the money comestogether for a new arena, the Wholesale Jerseys and (thankfully) the NBAshould make an overdue return to Seattle.
Personally, I've always thought theVancouver Canucks were 5 bad seasons away from moving to Seattle or Portland.Though these days, its possible to have a team in both cities. If the NFL Jerseys move to Winnipeg doesn't panout, they could just as easily move the Metro Seattle and play in the TacomaDome. It seats something like 15,000 for hockey, and could be used to house ateam for a couple seasons while a more permanent rink is built. As for a teamname, I do believe they would keep with something along the lines ofMetropolitans, Totems, Breakers, or Sasquatch.
That being said, I'dthink Portland to be the more likely West Coast candidate for a team. TheFlames threatened to move there back in 2000 when season ticket sales were low,and they do have the 18,000 seat Rose Garden for a team to play in. The Canuckshad 16 bad seasons in a row and some of the most inept owners in the MLB Jerseys. They did not move. In factthey flourished as soon as they had a couple decent years in the early 90's andwent to the Stanley Cup Final. There were a couple years in the late 90's thatwerent great in terms of attendance, but they had a bit of an image problemthen.
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