I think it has to do with hockey culture. Because I got to thinking about it last night after I made this post, and I realized that the California teams don't really do much to me, but then, LA has had a hockey team forever. I think it's more of the new places like Nashville or Atlanta - because the culture isn't there at all. It seems misplaced. But I can see the other side, the side you mentioned - bringing the sport to other areas ... and the benefits to that (at least to us poor expatriates, if nothing else.)
Or, alternatively, I'm weird. I'll go with that too.
And thank GOD that they gave up on the blue dot. My faith has been restored. :-D