What goes around, comes around.
In the mid 1990s, with a 70 cent Canadian dollar, the Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado and the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix.
Four short years ago, when the dollar was at par, NHL hockey returned to the Manitoba capital, as the Atlanta Thrashers came north.
Now, the Canadian dollar is in the 70 cent range and again we hear of trouble in Calgary and Ottawa.
Flames president Ken King recently said Calgary was a team that was receiving cheques from the NHL, instead of writing them.
Even though Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk denies his team is moving, reports continue to paint a gloomy picture with sagging attendance in the nation’s capital.
Both markets need new arenas to be profitable in the National Hockey League. Levels of government need to step up.
I do believe the Flames will get into a new arena. If not, with the dollar sitting where it was two decades ago — and Houston and Seattle expressing interest in NHL teams — southern migration may make a return.