It would be nice to see Quebec City get a NHL team and they have a big enough rink but can they get the attendance for the NHL. They Averaged 10k fans a game for the QMJHL and the metro population is 800k. So with a 20k seating capacity rink should the city deserve a team.

45 comments

  1. If they can somehow bring back the Nordiques uniform YES… I do realize Colorado has it now

  2. I think the only thing lacking is a billionaire owner or companies from that area with really deep pockets.

  3. Not over Atlanta, Houston, and Phoenix it doesn’t.

    There are 25 NHL teams in the USA compared to 32 NFL teams, and 29 MLB and NBA teams each in the USA.

    There is more value for the league to be in more US markets than a comparatively small city that really only has short term benefits.

    Nothing against QC personally. But there are more lucrative cities the NHL needs to be in before it should consider there.

  9. Not really. It’s a small market with not a lot of corporate sponsors really and it sort of doesn’t really match with the goals of the NHL as “the game” isn’t going to get any new fans because the city is already saturated with Habs fans.

    If Ottawa and Winnipeg are struggling for corporate sponsorships, I can’t imagine Quebec City with a huge lineup of companies just willing to pour money into the franchise

  10. They deserve one but wouldn’t get one because the NHL wants to go to non-traditional markets

  12. Sadly Quebec City will never have a team again.

    The population base is simply too small to support a team for 41 (soon 42) home dates year after year.

    Winnipeg was the best team in the league last year and they averaged below capacity and they have the smallest building in the league.
    And Winnipeg metro has 100K more people than Quebec.

  14. In a perfect world, every major city would have an NHL team. However, that might resemble the system used in English football, with a prominent promotion and relegation structure.

  20. From a fan base, history, pure love of the game perspective, absol-fu#kin-lutely.

    From a financial perspective, it can’t compete.

    Sad but true. I’d love to see the nordiques again.

    Sakic nordique home jersey is my all time favorite…

    Edit to add…

    I played in the pee wee tourney, had my first kiss up in the nose bleeds after a game.

    The city, the winter festival, the coliseum will always have my vote.

  21. I don’t see it. Little corporate sponsorship and a small population. Players will avoid that place more than any other market as there are no guarantees you can get by with just English and French is a requirement. Worst taxes in the league as well

  22. Deserves? Sure

    Likely? Most likely not. Way too small a market, and doesn’t grow the game. Quebec is an already established market of fans who are currently consuming hockey.

  23. Definitely not before a market that can make the (other) owners money…regardless of what Canadian-based fans think, the next NHL team will again be a southern US team, likely Houston or Atlanta.

  24. I’d personally like to see Quebec City get another NHL team (I remember when the Nordiques played there) and have advocated for them to get one.

    IMO, Canada could support up to four more NHL teams. In order of feasibility, those teams/markets are:

    1) Toronto 2

    2) Quebec City

    3) Hamilton

    4) Montreal 2

  30. Frankly culturally, politically and socially they deserve one! The habs vs nords was deeply connected to the modern Québécois disagreement on the national question, habs representing investment into integration and the nordiques representing québécois distinction

    Could the population support one? Maybe, not 100% sure! It would be a struggle for sure but I can imagine it would have a building popularity!

  31. Deserve, yes.

    Is it economically viable? That’s a whole other question that I’m not qualified to answer.

  35. People have this delusion that only city’s that “deserve” and “earn it” should get an NHL team. They try to justify it saying only a city with a crazy loyal fan base, that’s ride or die, will be able to financially support a team.

    Vegas killed this idea. They proved that as long as you have an owner who’s willing to spend money, a competent management group, and a good on ice product… you can build a fan base from scratch even in a traditionally non-hockey market.

    This means the priority for expansion going forward will be city size rather than city’s that “deserve” it

    To really drive the point home, Mexico City is unironically more likely to get a NHL team than Quebec City

  39. It would be a great city to go visit and see your team play. Such a great place . Hope it happens

  43. 100% YES Quebec City should have an NHL team! They are a smaller market than alll the stupid southern U.S. cities that Bettman is pushing, but they are hockey MADD in the province of Quebec. It would stoke up the Habs/Nordiques Rivalry of old… and begin a new one with The Senators .
    I’d bet anything that visiting players would quickly love playing in Quebec City, much along the lines of Montreal, because it’s different, and vibrant.
    Sadly I don’t think Buttman and his flunkies will ever allow it.

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