Quebec Nordiques Return to Quebec City?- By: Josh Caul

Photo credit- SportsLogos.net

Are the Nordiques returning to Quebec City? Well, that depends on who you believe, Quebec Premier Francois Legault or the NHL executive. Heads swiftly rose from Blonde Ales in la belle province last week when it was announced that the Government du Quebec was entering talks with the NHL about finally returning the Quebec Nordiques to their namesake city. However, the NHL was quick to refute the claims, communicating that they are happy with what Quebec has to offer, and while there was an initial call between the premier and the commissioner, there are no plans to continue talks or commitment to return.

In 2015 the Centre Videotron (Videotron Center) opened as the seventh largest indoor arena in Canada and would be the 16th largest to house an NHL team with a capacity of 18,259. This arena was without a doubt a Kevin Costner Field of Dreams – if you build it, they will come. While an inspirational sentiment, the reality is that the NHL is a business and there are many things to consider when expanding and relocating. Specifically, the NHL had to consider the balance of Eastern and Western Conferences, which were already out of balance prior to discussion of a returning Nordiques. Additionally, the ownership of existing franchises have to agree through the board of governers on the expansion.

Fast-forward to 2021 and the conferences no longer have the imbalance they did in 2015 with the addition of the Seattle Kraken and the increased interest in sport as a result of COVID has the attention of executives across the league. So, why would the NHL deny the planned talks, or why would the premier misrepresent the possibility? Well, either is possible.

Bettman’s Motivation

If we think back to 2009 Gary Bettman had the same to say about the potential of the then Atlanta Thrashers relocating to Winnipeg. All said and done, what do you know, the Jets are in Winnipeg. Bettman’s motivation to deny the talks makes business sense – there is nothing contractually agreed upon and jerking with the emotions of poutine loving hockey fans is ill advised, so much so that you risk losing their affinity to the league. Finally, it makes good business sense to hold your cards tight – never should an executive negotiate in the public forum; it’s just bad business etiquette.

Legault’s Motivation

By all accounts, Quebec’s premier has done relatively well running the province through a few very tough years. His approval rating is high, which is uncharacteristic in Quebec for a sovereigntist political leader and has been attributed to his management of the pandemic. An important note is that, in Quebec, the Montreal Canadians are largely seen as the federalist hockey team (those who identify as Canadian) and the Nordiques have been the sovereigntist hockey team (those who identify as Quebecois and, in some cases, desire independence from Canada). With an upcoming election, Premier Legault may see an opportunity to spark his sovereigntist base without upsetting the federalists. These would be massive political points for the premier to score and could be behind his motivation.

In the end, it does appear tenable that the Nordiques return to Quebec – the market can support it, the facilities are already in place and the increased interest in top-tier sport all suggest expansion. Now, can the talent pool support yet another stretch?

-Josh Caul- Dusty Beauts/ Olde City Sports Network