Expansion teams : Bill Daly opens the door and is it an opportunity for Quebec?
As we await the start of NHL training camps, Deputy Commissioner of the Bettman circuit, Bill Daly, made a statement that could fuel rumors about the much-talked-about return of the Nordiques to Quebec City. He spoke about the possibilities of expansion in the NHL.
In an interview with the renowned Elliotte Friedman, Gary Bettman's right-hand man hinted at the idea that expansion teams could be added to the current 32 teams.
It's coming - and the union believes it too - but he was very careful not to commit too much either.»
Elliotte Friedman, via 32 Thoughts
He was cautious not to give a timeline, but "it's coming." Let's just say that says a lot already.
The NHL announces that new expansion teams are coming.
Beyond this information, the sports channel owned by Québecor Média, a property of Pierre-Karl Péladeau, fueled the debate about an NHL team in Quebec City. It's well known that all eyes are on PKP when it comes to a professional sports team in Montreal. We saw what he did with the Montreal Alouettes, building a winning culture in just one year!
Another chance for Quebec? TVA Sports seems to be reviving the debate
In connection with this news, the official TVA Sports account commented:
Do you believe it?
It's becoming difficult to remain hopeful after Gary Bettman's multiple flip-flops on this issue. If the NHL expands to 36 teams, it would be hard for the duo of Gary Bettman and Bill Daly to deny the existence of a hockey culture in Quebec. Finding four North American markets that make more sense than Quebec City would be quite a challenge.
The Minister of Finance and Minister of the Return of the Nordiques, Éric Girard, had called on businessmen to try to create a consortium to put together a financial package that makes sense.
- TVA Sports
In all likelihood, the cities most likely to end up with an NHL organization are Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Quebec City. With these four cities, the NHL would go from 32 to 36 teams. We would have divisions with nine teams, two conferences with 18 teams. The playoff process might need to be modified? 12 teams per division in the playoffs, and an additional round with a best-of-three or best-of-five series. The playoffs are very lucrative for the NHL and its leaders!
And you, what's your prediction on this issue?
Source: TVA Sports
More expansion processes in the NHL soon
| POLL | ||
If NHL adds 4 more expansion teams in few years, do you think that Quebec will have a chance to be one of them four? | ||
| Yes | 90 | 65.2 % |
| No | 48 | 34.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
