Quebec City and Las Vegas: Only Two Bids Came In

With the news coming down that only two cities actually ponied up the $10M to apply for expansion, we have to look at the very real possibility that the perceived "Westward Expansion" ain't happening. That said, I threw together a quick map that I shared on twitter (feel free to follow me @NHLMaps), but neglected to post here. Below is that map. I'm actually pulling together some thoughts on a real solid argument for the four standalone conferences you see in this map and will post that soon(ish... newborns and blogs aren't a good pairing it turns out).

What the $10M Fee Revealed

The application fee was the test of seriousness, and only two cities passed it. That is thin ground for a westward expansion.

The Map, Posted Late

A quick map went up on twitter first, under the handle NHLMaps, and only reached the site afterwards.

The Argument Still Being Written

A fuller case for the four standalone conferences in that map is promised for a later post, with a note that newborns and blogs are not a good pairing.