Quebec Nordiques: expansion or relocation

[End on a Hinote]

[Digress]Flames aren't moving. Period. They are not going to move a team just because their 19,000+ seat downtown arena that's filled almost every night is old.[/Digress]

 

[Melrose Munch]

[Digress]Flames aren't moving. Period. They are not going to move a team just because their 19,000+ seat downtown arena that's filled almost every night is old.[/Digress]

That's what they said about Quebec and the St Louis Rams

 

[End on a Hinote]

That's what they said about Quebec and the St Louis Rams

It wasn't just because of the stadiums for either case.

 

[Orfieus]

If Quebec gets another team it will be from a relocation, and it will be a relocation from a East coast team. There is no way they are going to add to the West/East imbalance.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Does anyone know if even without an NHL team Videotron Centre is still profitable?

 

[Melrose Munch]

If Quebec gets another team it will be from a relocation, and it will be a relocation from a East coast team. There is no way they are going to add to the West/East imbalance.

If they add Houston, Seattle and Portland, there is no imbalance.

 

[Ernie]

Moving the a team from Calgary to QC would tear this country apart. Bettman would be walking into a hornet's nest.

 

[Killion]

Moving the a team from Calgary to QC would tear this country apart. Bettman would be walking into a hornet's nest.

ya, that would definitely be one for the ages Ernie however....
this situation's got quite a few more acts to play out before we get to Relo.

 

[powerstuck]

Does anyone know if even without an NHL team Videotron Centre is still profitable?

Last news are from September 22nd.
Article is in french but google translate can be your friend.
http://www.journaldequebec.com/2017...beaume-toujours-impatient-de-voir-des-profits

The city mayor can't wait to see the arena make profits but the city itself is not loosing money on the arena. Quebecor says it's hard to make it profitable without an NHL team.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Kansas City’s Spirit Center is profitable without a tenant. Thought I would ask.

 

[tony d]

Doubt Calgary's going to re-locate. They'll get a new arena deal done.

 

[Killion]

Doubt Calgary's going to re-locate. They'll get a new arena deal done.

I expect so, yes. A lot of chapters to go before the last option of a Relo however for obvious reasons that threat veiled or not exists. Thats the way these leagues, clubs operate as everyone knows. If King & Co cant work something out with the City then one would hope they be forced to entertain offers from local's who can make it work & that that process is transparent otherwise we could be looking at another ASG/Thrashers type situation; the same sort of speculation going on pursuant to Karmanos' & the Hurricanes whereby he was demanding 'A' Market $'s for a 'B' Market team only in the case of Calgary you'd also be looking at whatever sky-high asking price + a serious contribution towards a new arena. Lots of grey areas, room for skullduggery so we'll see.

 

[BruinsBtn]

The purpose of the Nordiques is to be ready last-minute if an owner needs to sell.

For instance, you could literally move a team to Quebec today and they'd sell out this entire season. For a US market, you would need many months of marketing.

The NHL likes having the option to cut-and-run from a market and Quebec will always be that 'boogeyman'.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

The purpose of the Nordiques is to be ready last-minute if an owner needs to sell.

For instance, you could literally move a team to Quebec today and they'd sell out this entire season. For a US market, you would need many months of marketing.

The NHL likes having the option to cut-and-run from a market and Quebec will always be that 'boogeyman'.

A la Los Angeles for NFL for decades.

 

[ponder719]

A la Los Angeles for NFL for decades.

Except for the "sell out the entire season" bit.

 

[NorthStar]

If the Nords does return.. will they do the sell out of tickets fast like Winnipeg did back in 2011?? If so that would be doubly amazing for sure..

 

[Howie Hodge]

If the Nords does return.. will they do the sell out of tickets fast like Winnipeg did back in 2011?? If so that would be doubly amazing for sure..

I would fully expect they could do that fairly easily.

 

[Whaleafs]

Neither. Quebec has failed as an NHL market twice, why should they get another chance?

I'm not sure failing as a market in 1920 should be factored into this.

 

[Killion]

I'm not sure failing as a market in 1920 should be factored into this.

It doesnt. Irrelevant. Dispelled a page or three back. If it were relevant there wouldnt be team's in Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh or Denver etc.... places like Houston, Seattle & Portland off-radar having once had top tier pro hockey that failed (either a league or ownership cratering - PCHA, NHL, WHA).

 

[Whaleafs]

It doesnt. Irrelevant. Dispelled a page or three back. If it were relevant there wouldnt be team's in Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh or Denver etc.... places like Houston, Seattle & Portland off-radar having once had top tier pro hockey that failed (either a league or ownership cratering - PCHA, NHL, WHA).

Yeah ok, I'm not reading 40 pages to rolodex everyone's take but thanks.

 

[Killion]

Yeah ok, I'm not reading 40 pages to rolodex everyone's take but thanks.

Ha. No worries. Distilled it down for ya Uncle Leo.

 

[powerstuck]

If the Nords does return.. will they do the sell out of tickets fast like Winnipeg did back in 2011?? If so that would be doubly amazing for sure..

That's everyone's expectation.
But to be honest, until it happens anyone guess is just as good as mine and yours.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

I'm not sure failing as a market in 1920 should be factored into this.

point is they failed twice as an NHL market. As far as I'm concerned the the NHL going to Quebec would be a backwards move just like the NFL going back to Canton or Toledo or any of those original markets. If the NHL is to survive and prosper as a league it needs to expand the fan base and Quebec or any other Canadian city doesn't do that.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

point is they failed twice as an NHL market. As far as I'm concerned the the NHL going to Quebec would be a backwards move just like the NFL going back to Canton or Toledo or any of those original markets. If the NHL is to survive and prosper as a league it needs to expand the fan base and Quebec or any other Canadian city doesn't do that.

Let's not forget Washington failed twice as baseball market. Nationals are thriving.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Let's not forget Washington failed twice as baseball market. Nationals are thriving.

And the MLB has what to do with this discussion?