Quebec May Want A NHL Team After All
It has been a long time since Quebec had a NHL team to call its own. Now it seem the Quebec Government may like be interested in trying again. The Quebec Nordiques existed as a NHL team from 1979-1995 and then they became the Colorado Avalanche. With expansion and relocation rumors popping up all over the place it was only a matter of time before Quebec got in an the act.
It’s been reported by Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated that the Quebec government may be toying with the idea of supporting a return to the NHL. First thing is first, despite what has been said about the Government in Quebec this is about hockey, and while politics cannot be set aside completely let’s remember that the Nordiques name is still a popular name, and their merchandise can still be purchased.
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In Muir’s report it is said that the Government may join Quebec Inc; the group that is thought to be the potential new owners should the NHL call Quebec home again, in the report Muir also eludes to the possibility of the Government may be interested in naming rights of the new arena scheduled for completion sometime next year.
But, don’t get too excited yet it seems not everyone is okay with that idea. There are also reports that the Government doesn’t want any further connection to a potential NHL team, and that tax payer funds may not be available. This is the problem with big Government trying to micro-manage ever little aspect of things. This is about getting a NHL team back to your city, not about anything else.
As the debate rages on within NHL circles and the leagues front office, one thing is for sure the fans that call Quebec home want the NHL back in their city; the problem is how to make that happen? Talk of expansion to Quebec seems to have cooled down as the NHL has said they are not ready to grow their league yet, and Quebec may be third on that possible list as it is. If you want to look at relocation; now that seems more possible. There are teams in the NHL that are not making money, and the idea of moving to a hockey crazed market could seem appealing to owners.
I have very little doubt that a new franchise in Quebec could be profitable; my concerns however are centered on how much the Government will be involved. It would be best for all parties involved if the involvement was minimal and the potential owners are left to run their team and arena as they see fit.
It would be a shame for there to be a new building and fans lining up to watch hockey and there be nothing but a concert floor and a bunch of old memories to hold on to. Hopefully the markets that want a team, and can support a team find a way back into the mix. If they don’t the NHL will be fine, but as I’ve said before if you’re not going to watch your team play you shouldn’t have a team.