Gary Bettman reveals what is holding back the return of the Quebec Nordiques

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Axel Williams
October 16, 2024 (11:19)

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There has been lots of pressure on Gary Bettman to facilitate the return of the Quebec Nordiques, a beloved franchise that was moved to Colorado in 1996.

Overall, it has been a difficult process for fans in Quebec to swallow. Expansion teams have come to Las Vegas and Seattle, but Quebec City is still left without a team. Now, there are reports that a subsequent NHL expansion would include cities such as Houston and Atlanta.

In a recent interview, Gary Bettman revealed what it would take to see a team come to Quebec City again. As Bettman noted, he is open to the idea of the city getting its team back. However, the financial situation has to be right. Unfortunately, the team has not been able to provide that in the form of a solid investor.

"That depends on a lot of factors that we don't control, including someone, or an entity, that is engaged enough and committed enough financially to want to even be considered - and it hasn't happened yet"

One has to wonder whether or not there are any Quebec businessmen rich enough to really bring a team back while also paying the expansion fee. If there is, then it is encouraging to see that Bettman would welcome a team in Quebec City again. That said, it would still be considered a small market team, and the NHL wants to focus on big markets right now.

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Source: Blade of Steel
Gary Bettman unveils the reason holding the NHL back from a return to Quebec City