The Canadiens have been toying with the idea of bringing there AHL farm club close to or in Montreal, including looking at Laval as a possible site since the 90's CH. The reasons for doing so are many, obvious. Montreal also owns, has a division called Evenko, concerts, events, consumer & trade shows etc, this new 10,000 seater providing a much needed smaller venue to book additional acts & events into. Laval as you know a northern suburb, accessible by the Metro subway, Montmorency stop I believe, so while its built to cater to Laval proper & the market of the lower Laurentians sure, its going to, will & has attracted people from all over Montreal. That facility also has a community rink for local hockey and an Olympic, international ice surface, pretty busy place, a business decision, Bell bought the naming rights, its great for the players, the fans, the City of Laval. Thats why.
Now.... as for this comment of the Citadelles being "shunned and ignored" by the people of Quebec City... sorta-kinda... sure. Are you not familiar, unaware of the dynamic that exists in the province between QC & Montreal, the socio-political, economic, linguistic & even religious divides, the enmities that have existed for generations & how much it is that a great number of Quebecers' resent Montreal? That they would not support a Montreal farm club, its 'B' Team, its' 2nd rate players, do you not understand how they would find that an insult & thus "shun & disregard, ignore" that club? People seem to assume that the people of Quebec en mass are Habs fans. That everyone in the province supports, roots for the Montreal Canadiens. That the Habs are it, more than enough, the people should be happy, fully served when in fact like Southern Ontario & the Leafs, grossly under-served. Quebec City while smallish market, totally up-market boutique & high-end with an acquired taste for Major League Hockey, top tier, the NHL, and they want their OWN DAMN TEAM THANKYOU VERY MUCH. Not, of all things, Montreals rejects, works in progress, its leftovers & no-goers.
Problem?.... I think not.... That they are still on the outside looking in is disgraceful. Something very wrong going on here, went wrong with the last bout of Expansion with only Vegas gaining entry. I have my theories, Ive connected dots, not a pretty picture. I fully, totally support QC's ambitions, and I demand they be re-admitted, enough with the games, enough with the doublespeak, the ducking & dodging of "deferral" - whatever the Hell that means - and just get on with it, get it on, bring back the Diques already. You want numbers? Right out of the box thats a TOP 10 Revenue Club. You dont think the NHL can get even more for English Broadcast Rights with a franchise in Quebec City? Think again. You dont think they'll receive buckets more visa-vie French broadcast rights? Think again. You dont think Quebec City has the corporate heft to support a franchise? Do some GD research before making idiotic claims & statements. Your "worried about the Canadian $ tanking & Quebecs ability to weather such a storm? Well, aint that sweet, get a clue already.... on & on & on with the EXCUSES. Not buying. Just do it, get it done, stop the insanity.... Anything else to say for yourself HUTCH?.... G'head, bring it. I can do this all day, all night.... You ever visit QC? Straight shot up 201 from Auburn to the Border.... Lovely drive, scenery. Ha?