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Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
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Author:  bljksabres [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=294409

Quote:
QUEBEC CITY, Que. - The return of the Quebec Nordiques to the NHL may be one step closer to reality.

Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume confirmed Saturday that he met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman along with former Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut.

The talk took place in New York on Friday.

Labeaume refused to offer up more details but told media to expect more information in the coming days.

The mayor said the meeting went well and that he and Aubut were greeted warmly by Bettman.

Several Quebec City media outlets are also reporting that a new arena for the city will be announced next week.

Bettman said earlier this month he would consider Quebec City as a possible home to an NHL team if it went through with plans to build a cutting-edge arena and if a team were up for sale.

The Nordiques were sold in 1995 and moved to Denver as the Colorado Avalanche.


It would be good to see one of the "hockey hotbeds" in the south moved to Quebec. Montreal v. Quebec was one of the best rivalries in the game.
Author:  icehound [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
The Habs-Nordiques rivalry was amazing: Fiercely competitive to the point of brutality...I miss it dearly.

But, remember - It was Gary Bettman who did nothing to save the Quebec franchise, encouraging the folding of the Nordiques and then spiriting them off to an awaiting Denver ownership group.

Inasmuch as the Avalanche have done well for themselves, Bettman will never back-peddle on his decision; it would seem like too much of an admission of error.

He is a vain, little man with an unshakeable agenda - To expand NHL Hockey to "emerging" markets in the US. Any move to the contrary would be a "step backward" for him.

Unless and until he has been ousted, the Province of Quebec (and perhaps all of Canada) will not see another franchise.
Author:  ironyisadeadscene [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
i really want to like bettman. i really do. ive heard nice things about him as a human being. but just like george bush, who i think is an awesome dude, just dont agree with his political agenda, and he has hurt the NHL more then he will ever admit.
Author:  bljksabres [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Hoepfully the whole Phoenix fiasco was an awakening of sorts for Bettman, who found no viable owners to keep the team in Phoenix, thanks in large part to the city of Glendale. I think that Bettman would sooner move a team back to Quebec than see Balsillie attempt to take a run at the NHL again.
Author:  MakinItLookMean [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
quebec is a hockey city...they have great fans...hope to see them land a team again
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
The Canadian - Nordique rivalry was like Manchester United vs Manchester City, or Liverpool vs Everton rivalry; it simply kicked ass.

I would kick in money to see that rivalry revisited, and call it a bargain......
Author:  Sabresfansince1980 [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Quebec was not able to support an NHL franchise for several years leading up to that move. Obviously Denver was a success story. If Quebec has gained a fan base that can afford to support a team again then great. They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
You are correct; a viable Quebec franchise is very much dependent on an owner with deep pockets, as a new arena would be essential.

Hey Balsillie; really want a team??
Author:  icehound [ Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
...at this point, no matter how Balsillie approaches it, he's pretty much fucked.

He's been painted as being "undesirable" and that's that.

He should pull a "John Bassett" and form a new league - Forcing the NHL into an accommodation.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
If Balsillie's interests suit that of the NHL - then he will be accepted - in my opinion. Not because he is likely to be accepted warmly, or as part of the fraternity; but simply that if he is tosseed a carrot, he will cease to be a thorn in their side... (They hope.)
Author:  End The Curse [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Who is spreading the rumor that Quebec didn't support the team? Fail. The problem wasa the facility wasn't up to modern NHL requirements... STFU those of you who think what happened had anything to do with fan support.
Author:  End The Curse [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Sabresfansince1980 wrote:
Quebec was not able to support an NHL franchise for several years leading up to that move. Obviously Denver was a success story. If Quebec has gained a fan base that can afford to support a team again then great. They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match.

One of the most ignorant comments written since this board was birthed. The fans were rabid, the facility was insufficient.
Author:  ironyisadeadscene [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
End The Curse wrote:
Sabresfansince1980 wrote:
Quebec was not able to support an NHL franchise for several years leading up to that move. Obviously Denver was a success story. If Quebec has gained a fan base that can afford to support a team again then great. They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match.

One of the most ignorant comments written since this board was birthed. The fans were rabid, the facility was insufficient.


100% correct. the fanbase was rabid. the facility was very poor by NHL standards. however, i do find it odd that the city cant support a team of a lesser level. maybe its nhl or bust for quebec city.
Author:  CriminallyVu1gar [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
ironyisadeadscene wrote:
End The Curse wrote:
Sabresfansince1980 wrote:
Quebec was not able to support an NHL franchise for several years leading up to that move. Obviously Denver was a success story. If Quebec has gained a fan base that can afford to support a team again then great. They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match.

One of the most ignorant comments written since this board was birthed. The fans were rabid, the facility was insufficient.


100% correct. the fanbase was rabid. the facility was very poor by NHL standards. however, i do find it odd that the city cant support a team of a lesser level. maybe its nhl or bust for quebec city.


+1
Author:  Sabresfansince1980 [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
"They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match."

Who's ignorant ETC?!? Try reading the whole post...holy shit!!

"...a big and loyal fan base..."

What part of that did you (and others) not understand? Quebec lost the team because they could not afford to support it with an acceptable building, and they were the smallest market in the league. They didn't have the numbers in both actual people and money to support a franchise.

Damn people, take a breath and read before hurling the insults...WTF!!
Author:  nnyfan [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
I've been thinking about where a new NHL team would make most sense and I always come back to Quebec. The NHL does NOT need another city with palm trees. Its an insult to hockey and Canada, imho. I mean, it is their sport. And seeing as how babies born in Quebec are sent home with their flannel blanket and a pair of hockey skates, it makes the most sense to get the NHL back into Quebec. The new team needs to be in Canada, as far as I'm concerned. All the other big cities are taken. The only other American city I could think of would be maybe Juneau (just trying to include Alaska) or maybe Seattle?

I don't know...but Quebec is the only rational option as far as I'm concerned. Maybe Kingston, but I dont' think its big enough.
Author:  patkane88 [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Sabresfansince1980 wrote:
"They were (are?), however, much like Buffalo but worse off - a big and loyal fan base that doesn't have the wallets to match."

Who's ignorant ETC?!? Try reading the whole post...holy shit!!

"...a big and loyal fan base..."

What part of that did you (and others) not understand? Quebec lost the team because they could not afford to support it with an acceptable building, and they were the smallest market in the league. They didn't have the numbers in both actual people and money to support a franchise.

Damn people, take a breath and read before hurling the insults...WTF!!


Exactly.
Author:  Sabresfansince1980 [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
ETC, what's with the insults anyway? You jumped on me last week for no good reason, and here you're saying "STFU" and throwing out "ignorant". Oh wait, no..."One of the most ignorant comments written since this board was birthed".

Howie didn't misunderstand my comment. In fact he agreed with me. I find your attitude towards me a little ironic considering the quote you use for your sig.

Don't bother with an apology, because it won't mean much. I'd like to know the real reason behind the attitude. I never had a bad exchange with you on the old boards so I don't get it. You don't like me being here? If that's all you have for me then don't respond to my posts, and I'll do likewise.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
This was talked about on The Canucks broadcast between periods tonight. They felt the most desirable "new" Canadian markets are:

1- Southern Ontario
2 - Quebec
3- Winnipeg

It all came down to corporate sponsorship. Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are profitable because of it. They have to bust their asses in Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton to make a little bit of money.

Southern Ontario has it, while less so in Quebec and Winnipeg.

The Quebec government is looking at building a modern arena there. It would still take some deep pockets to own a franchise there, even though I'm sure they'd sell the place out. Hockey is a religion there.

I've posted this several times on the old boards; but if I could have a team anywher, it would be in the greater Toronto area - even if I had to pay The Leafs idemnification fees of about $200 million or more...
Author:  Sc's#1SabresFan [ Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible return of the NHL to Quebec
Now i'm a little confused. Would this be a new expansion team? Or are we talking a place for a current team (Yotes) to move to?
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