I don't know if this is based on fact or pure speculation but I doubt that the NCHC is going to play second banana to anyone in college hockey least of all to the Big Ten. The NCHC sees themselves as the premier conference in college hockey. They will pay what is needed to improve/keep high the image of the league.
The NCHC has a huge advantage over the Big Ten in that it can essentially cherry pick who it does and doesn't want in the league. This would help improve the quality of play and image of the NCHC. If Illinois decided to start a hockey program, they know they have membership in the the Big Ten and the Big Ten would essentially have to take them as is. Even if the quality of play and arena was not up to the level of the other teams in the Big Ten, the Big Ten would have to admit them. In my opinion, this could dilute the quality of the league. What is your motivation to strive for quality, when you know you have already have admission?
The NCHC on the other hand could tell any new program looking to join that it needs to meet certain criteria before it would be admitted.
As for where the NCHC tournament should be played, I say it comes down to Omaha and Denver due to the fact that they have arenas big enough. I can't see the NCHC going to St. Paul because I believe that NCHC would see that as them being second banana to the Big Ten. If I was the NCHC, I would want to get as far away from the things that characterized the WCHA and Big Ten as I could. One advanatge Denver may have is that the league is based out of Colorado Springs. One advantage Omaha may have over Denver is that Omaha does not have a pro team in their arena so the scheduling may be easier. Would the Avs and Nuggets be willing to essentially go on the road for essentially a week right in the middle of their drive to improve position for the playoffs?
