Historic announcement from Gary Bettman: It's bad news for Quebec

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David St-Jean
June 5, 2024 (3:52 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Finals, marking the first time since the Canadiens in 2021 that a Canadian team has a chance to win the Stanley Cup!

Since Gary Bettman became the commissioner on February 1, 1993, only one Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup�the Canadiens in 1993. This means that not once during Bettman's tenure as commissioner has the season started and ended with a Canadian team winning the Cup, which has been the case for over 30 years.

This statistic is quite revealing. Despite the United States hosting the majority of NHL teams, the chances of a Canadian team winning the Cup have been very slim.

Nevertheless, there are rumors that Quebec may finally get its team, with reports suggesting there could be up to four expansions by 2029, according to several insiders.

The problem is that Bettman appears to be succeeding in his efforts. He recently announced that the current playoffs are the most popular since 1996, with historic viewership numbers.

"The 2024 #StanleyCup Playoffs are the most-watched through three rounds across the United States since 1996, while the 2024 Conference Finals were +34% YOY across North America." - NHL

It's clear that Gary wants to increase the popularity of NHL hockey in the south, and he's succeeding, which doesn't give him many arguments to add more teams in Canada.

His stubbornness in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona for far too long, for example, is a prime example, as he continues to refuse the return of the Nordiques.

It's hard to understand, but the numbers he has demonstrated prove that he is right, even though we all know the numbers would be even better with the Nordiques in the playoffs.

Houston, Atlanta, and Kansas City are prime destinations for a future NHL franchise, while Quebec was fourth. The problem is that Bettman has an agreement with the former owner of the Coyotes, who has five years to build a new arena in Arizona and bring the Coyotes back there.

With the billion dollars given by the NHL, he certainly has the means to accomplish great things, and unfortunately, Quebec is likely to suffer as a result.