Popular Post -Vintage Canuck- Posted November 20, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 Quebec’s premier will meet with Gary Bettman about the return of the Nordiques: Quebec is making a push to bring back the Nordiques. François Legault, Quebec’s Premier, appeared on Le 5 à 7 on RDS on Thursday evening and said that the province’s government will meet with Gary Bettman in the coming months in regards to bringing an NHL team back to Quebec City. “I spoke with [Mr. Bettman], and we have meetings with him in the coming months,” Legault said. “You have to look at who is ready to invest. We have an amphitheater in Quebec that has already been built. We are in the process of making contact with Mr. Bettman. We are looking at what we need to bring back the Nordiques. I think we are capable of having a second team in Quebec.” The Nordiques joined the NHL as part of the four-team WHA merger back in 1979 along with the Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. In 1995, due largely to a weak Canadian dollar, the Nordiques moved out west to Colorado and became the Avalanche. The Avs, led by former Montreal Canadiens star Patrick Roy, would go on to win the Stanley Cup in their first season. Quebec City opened a brand new facility, Centre Vidéotron, back in 2015. The Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL are currently the primary tenants, but the $370 million (CAD) facility has an 18,259 capacity, more than enough for an NHL team. The natural assumption is that Quebec will be asking Bettman about relocating the Arizona Coyotes, who are in need of a new home for the 2022-23 season as the City of Glendale is opting out of the joint lease agreement for the Gila River Arena. Given the NHL just welcomed its 32nd team to the league, the Seattle Kraken, it’s difficult to imagine the league will be looking to expand. Having 32 teams gives the NHL symmetry, with an even 16 teams in both the Eastern and Western Conference along with eight teams in each division. Legault also noted on RDS that the Canadiens aren’t doing a good enough job of employing French players and bringing back the Nordiques would put pressure on them to do so. “There must be more efforts made by the Canadiens,” said Legault. “I am still working to try to bring back the Nordiques to Quebec. It would put pressure on the Canadiens.” https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/quebecs-premier-will-meet-with-gary-bettman-about-the-return-of-the-nordiques/ 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post -Vintage Canuck- Posted November 20, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 All-time classic. 13 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post nux_win Posted November 20, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 It's sad that the NHL is still trying to force hockey into non-hockey markets when hockey-mad Quebec city deserves a team but doesn't have one. I would love to see the return of Les Nordiques. Hockey in the desert just doesn't make as much sense (and probably not as much money either). GCG! 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Alflives Posted November 20, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 3 minutes ago, nux_win said: It's sad that the NHL is still trying to force hockey into non-hockey markets when hockey-mad Quebec city deserves a team but doesn't have one. I would love to see the return of Les Nordiques. Hockey in the desert just doesn't make as much sense (and probably not as much money either). GCG! Move the Coyotes to Quebec. That’s a no brainer fix to a long time money bleeding problem. 2 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal:thecup Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Bettman be like who? what? where? NFW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mll Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Alflives said: Move the Coyotes to Quebec. That’s a no brainer fix to a long time money bleeding problem. How much money would they lose on the TV rights they've just signed. There are certainly penalties if they move out of one of the largest US markets. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Mind Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 I expect Bettman would rather give Atlanta a 3rd try, but would be great to see the Nordiques make a return. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyone Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 would they still play out of the Central division? or would they have to shuffle one team back to the west? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GB5 Posted November 20, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 As much as I like the idea of an NHL team in Phoenix, I hope the league encourages that train wreck of a franchise to move to Quebec. New ownership and fans that love their team can go a long way. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quantum Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 34 minutes ago, Alflives said: Move the Coyotes to Quebec. That’s a no brainer fix to a long time money bleeding problem. Na, the NHL doesn't want to mess with division alignment. More realistic option is that the Coyotes move to either Houston or Austin Texas so that they can stay in their division. Also I think the NHL loves expansion $$$$$$ so I won't be shocked to see Bettman basically say "if you find an owner willing to pay X for an expansion team, we'll grant you a team again." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rawkdrummer Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 (edited) I hope this is true. 'bout time! Edited November 20, 2021 by rawkdrummer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 I don't think there's a chance this would be a 33rd team expansion. Much more likely to be a team moving and the obvious contender is Arizona. Would be super cool to have eight Canadian teams again though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 41 minutes ago, grumpyone said: would they still play out of the Central division? or would they have to shuffle one team back to the west? Guess either Detroit or Columbus is gonna be mighty disappointed. Quebec is notably more eastern than either of them are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnarcore Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Premier says the Habs aren't doing enough to employ French players. He does realize Quebec provides less players these days and they no longer get the free pick of Quebecois right? Forcing french management and coaching has already had a bad effect now imagine it impacting the roster.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUCKER67 Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Not a lot of coyotes running around Quebec City. Would they have a new team name and sweaters? I would hope they'd go back to the Nordiques. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Just now, NUCKER67 said: Not a lot of coyotes running around Quebec City. Would they have a new team name and sweaters? I would hope they'd go back to the Nordiques. I'd be shocked if they didn't pick the Nordiques name. It's so iconic, and like with the Jets, they're not so far removed from NHL history that people have forgotten the name (though that didn't stop the Senators). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makaramel MacKhiato Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Ya I guess it would force Detroit to move back West. It makes sense though, Quebec much more of a hockey market. Just rough see all the travel needed for a Western team be extended with a Quebec team. Eastern teams already have it nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 They could move to Houston Texas. Wonder Howe to call em' the Aeros. Be like the old days, wear no masks & avoid shots! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 I don't want another expansion. A team like Arizona should move there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Alflives Posted November 20, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 20, 2021 20 minutes ago, Top Sven Baercheese said: Ya I guess it would force Detroit to move back West. It makes sense though, Quebec much more of a hockey market. Just rough see all the travel needed for a Western team be extended with a Quebec team. Eastern teams already have it nice... Move the Leafs to the west. Put them in our division too. Make them travel lots. 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.