The NHL playoffs are close and the many Low Cost Franchise dare to dream about Stanley Cup glory and the possibility of becoming victorious. We will look at these Low Cost Franchise and find out how they have started from Franchises For Sale, endorsed across the world to the huge Low Cost Franchise of the NHL today. The NHL franchise market has been lopsided for numerous years from numerous franchises financially in trouble, to a lot of franchises being able to hand out million dollar deals. At this present moment the NHL franchise market is much more level as massive amounts of money are being saved as the economy has hit the hockey market. All of the Low Cost Franchise are cutting costs and running with what they have, which is having a beneficial advantage to the idea of Franchises For Sale in the market. Many team owners for numerous years have looked upon their team as a Home Based Franchise, they work with their franchise on daily and they take it with them wherever they go. This is much like any Home Based Franchise in the present market and consequently beneficial to a potential investor looking for a Franchises For Sale in the NHL market. The investor will have the confidence that the franchise has been well run and looked after as if it were a Home Based Franchise.

Here is the history of an NHL Low Cost Franchise that has had massive support over the years incorporating changes in ownership.

The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the original six NHL franchises and were formed in September of 1926. A coffee millionaire by the name of Major Frederic McLaughlin invested $200,000 to purchase the Portland Rosebuds of the Western Hockey League. The WHL franchises were unable to compete with the higher paid NHL and so Major McLaughlin picked up the franchise in a fire-sale and repositioned it to Chicago. In 1928 the Blackhawks repositioned from the Coliseum to the newly built 18,000 seat Chicago Stadium - the leading NHL arena at that time. The team followed the move to their new home with frequent playoff appearances, though they were unable to reach their ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup championship.

The Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley cup in 1933-34 by winning over the Detroit Redwings in four games. The Chicagoans soon became a common player in the NHL playoffs and would win their second Cup in 1937-38, winning over the Toronto Maple Leafs. After that second Cup victory the Blackhawks would go through an extended drought. The problems were compounded as the club would find itself in constant financial difficulties throughout the 1950s.

All through the 1970s and into the eighties the Blackhawks continued to play competitive hockey, known for their physical method of play.

The team continued with its up an down play, having moderate success in the playoffs. In 1995, the Blackhawks put behind them one of the most historic aspects of their franchise. They repositioned out of the 65 year old Chicago Stadium, moving on to the brand new United Centre. The years also saw transformations in the front office, with Craig Hartsburg replacing Sutter as coach. The 1997-98 season proved to be a low point in their history, as the club missed the playoffs for the first time since 1968.

In 2002 the franchise lost star players like Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte as free agents, the Blackhawks under the direction of general manager Mike Smith continue to build around a young team.