UPDATE: Return of the Quebec Nordiques? "Possible", say RDS, Corus Sports, other sources

SSF> good point...but IMHO don't be surprised if the Panthers end up in Quebec City.

BTW Wang and the Islanders apparently had a good meeting with Nassau Country today (according to the Live Blog on MaxHockey.com), so Kansas City might indeed become the Coyotes' new home within two years...if the team isn't broken up into pieces before then by the legal battles.

I would love to see a team in Quebec City. I'm not so big on Hamilton, probably because JB is involved. Maybe in Hamilton with a different owner.

SpezDispenser wrote:A team back in QC would be cool.

Cool in October, sure. Damn cold in February, though. :^^^^:

It's ironic, don't you think, that the Federal government is offering to help out Quebec, while no assistance was offered from any level of government for the team in the Nation's Capital?

As much as I'd welcome back the thought of a Habs/Nords rivalry (it would take a few years to get anything close to what we had in the 80s) it bothers me that federal money -- my tax dollars -- would be used here. Maybe they could have disguised it as infrastructure by giving them money to build an interchange or expand the roads leading to the new arena. They didn't even do that here; instead they added the cost to build the interchange to the real-estate value of the Palladium and tus raised the property taxes for the owners.

Did Melnyk ever try to sell that interchange to the City of Ottawa for $1? Then charge them for clearing off snow in winter.

Prager> with all due respect, sir, where's the irony? Political patronage is part and parcel of professional sports franchises and all the infrastrucure projects, tax dollars and other 'considerations' they generate for the participants.

Peladeau and the Remillards may well have 'hand in glove' relationships with Mr Charest's government, and who knows, some friends in high places in Ottawa.

Looking west to the GTA, it is perhaps RimJim's lack of political clout and/or savvy that is impeding his quest for the purchase of his personal squad of puck pushers.

If the figures we have been seeing are correct, the timing of the 'Retour des Nordiques' may even coincide with a new election. Now that's something the voters in La Belle Province can relate to, n'est-ce-pas?

Having lived in La Belle Province for 20 years, being enrolled in highschool as a "Native American" in order to squeak by the language laws, seeing a great many friends move away in the '70s and '80s, having been forced to move myself -- I have a great deal to say about how our federal government seems to always be bending over backwards trying to appease one -- admittedly substantial -- portion of the population of Canada. Sorry for the long sentence -- don't have time to make it shorter. Maybe irony is too soft a word.

I have no issues with Charest lending a hand -- he is the Premier of Quebec. I also did not expect federal money for the Senators (although you could argue that, since this is the Nation's capital it would have been appropriate). I do have an issue with federal money halping out a provincial sports franchise, especially since no such assistance was given to help other teams. Are the feds going to help Winnipeg get a team back?

wprager wrote:It's ironic, don't you think, that the Federal government is offering to help out Quebec, while no assistance was offered from any level of government for the team in the Nation's Capital?

As much as I'd welcome back the thought of a Habs/Nords rivalry (it would take a few years to get anything close to what we had in the 80s) it bothers me that federal money -- my tax dollars -- would be used here. Maybe they could have disguised it as infrastructure by giving them money to build an interchange or expand the roads leading to the new arena. They didn't even do that here; instead they added the cost to build the interchange to the real-estate value of the Palladium and tus raised the property taxes for the owners.

Did Melnyk ever try to sell that interchange to the City of Ottawa for $1? Then charge them for clearing off snow in winter.

Actually, I remember that there were a lot of efforts deployed in order to supply federal funds to help out the senators in their time of need. Cabinet Minister John Manley was deeploy involved in assembling a plan but it was voted down. it was also very unpopular with the population at the time.

I'm still very bitter about that (+ the fact that the Bryden had to pay for that stupid overpass).

I think Quebec city should get the same treatment.

TA

Voted down by whom? It may have been unpopular with the population (which population? certainly not too many in Kanata would be complaining) but there was no referendum. It was voted down by the government.

As for Bryden, don't you worry about him. Couple of years before I moved here I was working for XIOS -- one of Rod's companies. There was a class action of some sort by former employees to get severance (company policy was a months' pay for each year of service and nobody was getting that when Bryden declared bankruptcy). They managed to get their money (I was only there for 18 months but still managed to get some in a second round) because the lawyers found something o hold over the company board. Anyhow, Bryden declared bankruptcy and even after selling off his biggest assets (PaperCorp and his holdings in BCE, I think) still owed creditors some ungodly sum of money. Yet there he was, just a couple of years later (if not less), being the owner of the Senators. How is that possible?

wprager wrote:Having lived in La Belle Province for 20 years, being enrolled in highschool as a "Native American" in order to squeak by the language laws, seeing a great many friends move away in the '70s and '80s, having been forced to move myself -- I have a great deal to say about how our federal government seems to always be bending over backwards trying to appease one -- admittedly substantial -- portion of the population of Canada. Sorry for the long sentence -- don't have time to make it shorter. Maybe irony is too soft a word.

I have no issues with Charest lending a hand -- he is the Premier of Quebec. I also did not expect federal money for the Senators (although you could argue that, since this is the Nation's capital it would have been appropriate). I do have an issue with federal money halping out a provincial sports franchise, especially since no such assistance was given to help other teams. Are the feds going to help Winnipeg get a team back?

Prager> governments continue to demonstrate they are more than willing to do the bidding of those who fund their election campaigns, fill their coffers, and pass along cash in brown envelopes in Swiss hotel rooms.

As you well know, the attitude in La Belle Province is a form of gallic shrug when it comes to patronage--as long as it serves certain interests--and is done with a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. And in that, mon ami, there is more than a little irony.

In terms of the fine people of Winnipeg, remember the reports posted on the Jets thread on this forum? According to the information cited on that thread, the people were screwed by their own government who refused to grant the Jets' citizens' movement tax-exempt status so they could pursue their efforts to keep the team there.

If Les Nordiques return, Monsieur Charest looks like a hero to the hockey-hungry population...who will probably carry him on their shoulders as the O'Keefe flows once again in La Vieille Capitale.

...plus ça change, plus c'est la même estie d'chose...

"Bettman ne dit pas non" says Corus Sports in their headline today for a story about the possible return of an NHL franchise to Quebec. The NHL Commissioner has given his tacit approval to the efforts of the investor group that apparently includes Quebecor chief Pierre Karl Peladeau. From the article:

Le retour d'une équipe à Québec: Bettman ne dit pas non

lundi 5 octobre 2009 à 13 h 41 - par Christine Roger
(Corus Sports) - Le commissaire de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Gary Bettman, a mentionné qu'il ne s'opposait pas contre l'idée de ramener une équipe de la LNH à Québec.

En entrevue sur les ondes de Corus Outaouais, Bettman a affirmé que la ville devrait se doter d'un nouvel amphithéâtre et que des investisseurs sérieux devraient manifester leur intérêt. Ensuite, le commissaire de la LNH serait prêt à se pencher sur le dossier.

Podcast of the interview here:
http://www.corussports.com/hockey/nouvelles/le-retour-d-une-equipe-a-quebec-bettman-ne-dit-pas-non-1772441.html

---

It seems that if the Quebec group can satisfy the NHL that they have taken the necessary steps to provide a facility which meets the league's standards, the process could advance in a significant way.

With a $50 to $100 million dollar subsidy from the Quebec government assured by Jean Charest, and probably more financial support forthcoming, this could get interesting.

the Battle of Quebec could be back, that would be amazing, they were always one of the best playoff series' to watch, and I didn't like either team (okay, hated the habs, but was okay with les Diques)

So let's sort this out.

Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Phoenix moves to KC
Florida moves to Quebec City
Las Vegas and Hamilton/Toronto receive expansion frachises.

How simple that would be.

RobbyJ wrote:So let's sort this out.

Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Phoenix moves to KC
Florida moves to Quebec City
Las Vegas and Hamilton/Toronto receive expansion frachises.

How simple that would be.

Islanders move somewhere too...

RobbyJ wrote:So let's sort this out.

Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Phoenix moves to KC
Florida moves to Quebec City
Las Vegas and Hamilton/Toronto receive expansion frachises.

How simple that would be.

Divsional and Conference realignment

Northeast
Ottawa
Toronto
Montreal
Quebec City
Hamilton/Toronto
Buffalo
Boston
Detroit

Atlantic
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
New York Rangers
New York Islanders
New Jersey
Carolina
Washington
Tampa

Central
Columbus
Chicago
Minnesota
Nashville
Kansas City
St Louis
Colorado
Dallas

Pacific
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
San Jose
Anaheim
Los Angelas
Las Vegas
Winnipeg

I should be in charge.

shabbs wrote:

RobbyJ wrote:So let's sort this out.

Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Phoenix moves to KC
Florida moves to Quebec City
Las Vegas and Hamilton/Toronto receive expansion frachises.

How simple that would be.

Islanders move somewhere too...

Not until 2015.

RobbyJ wrote:

RobbyJ wrote:So let's sort this out.

Atlanta moves to Winnipeg
Phoenix moves to KC
Florida moves to Quebec City
Las Vegas and Hamilton/Toronto receive expansion frachises.

How simple that would be.

Divsional and Conference realignment

Northeast
Ottawa
Toronto
Montreal
Quebec City
Hamilton/Toronto
Buffalo
Boston
Detroit

Atlantic
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
New York Rangers
New York Islanders
New Jersey
Carolina
Washington
Tampa

Central
Columbus
Chicago
Minnesota
Nashville
Kansas City
St Louis
Colorado
Dallas

Pacific
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
San Jose
Anaheim
Los Angelas
Las Vegas
Winnipeg

I should be in charge.

Since you're in charge, can you also go back to the old Division names?

How about the Goodenow, Saskin, Kelly and Penny divisions ?

SeawaySensFan wrote:We're talking about different times. It's normal, in times of recession particularly, for infrastructure spending to rise dramatically. Those conditions didn't exist at the time Hot Rod Bryden was bankrupt.

Besides, Federal Taxes are collected in Quebec too.

I'm completely in favour of creating jobs and generating tax revenue anywhere in Canada.

We're talking about Quebec though.















BAM! The low blow!

Jim Balsillie has been sighted eating poutine and practicing his first words in French,
"Fais le sept, estie!" in the hopes of attracting a new constituency...

Why not move the Islanders to QC? If Wang wants to move the team, there's nowhere better.

He can't get out of his lease until 2015

That could be a minor speedbump

RobbyJ wrote:He can't get out of his lease until 2015

Do you know if he's got any outs, like an attendance clause or something?

Doesn't sound like it. Even Milbury was talking like he's there for sure until 2015, and he would have an inside knowldege (funny Milbury and knowledge in the same sentence).

It could take a few years to retrofit/build an arena in a new location, so maybe he starts the process this year.

Would the Noridiques really work in the NHL when they couldn't make it before ?

I could see all the free agents refusing to sign there now ....

Hoags wrote:Would the Noridiques really work in the NHL when they couldn't make it before ?

I could see all the free agents refusing to sign there now ....

I think that's just #1 overall selections.

It's a different economic climate now. With a new building and the stronger Cdn dollar, they could easily do well. That's not even mentioning the hunger for hockey in that area.

Apparently, had the Nordiques stayed in Quebec instead of being moved to Denver this would have been their logo for the '95-96 season.



Factoids:

The Quebec Nordiques formed as one of the original World Hockey Association teams in 1972. The franchise was originally awarded to a group in San Francisco, as the San Francisco Sharks. However, the San Francisco group's funding collapsed prior to the start of the first season, and the WHA hastily sold the organization to a Quebec City-based group headed by Paul Racine and Marcel Aubut.

They were named the Nordiques because they were one of the northernmost teams in professional sports in North America. Quebec City is located at 46 degrees northlatitude; the only WHA teams located further north were the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Cowboys, Vancouver Blazers and Winnipeg Jets.

The Nordiques' first head coach was the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard but he lasted two games, a 3–2 loss to the Cleveland Crusaders, and a 3-0 win against the Alberta Oilers. The "Rocket" decided coaching wasn't his forte and stepped down.

Only two players who suited up for the Nordiques are still active: Owen Nolan of the Minnesota Wild, and Adam Foote of the Colorado Avalanche.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Nordiques

---

The efforts to bring the team back to Quebec reportedly began to gain ground when Pierre Karl Peladeau was unable to buy the Canadiens. He apparently is one of the major backers behind this bid, along with Quebec TV magnates the Remillard brothers who own TQS.

The combination of Quebecor and TQS would provide a multi-media marketing foundation and access to corporate support that would be much more solid than that available in the 1990's.

davetherave wrote:Apparently, had the Nordiques stayed in Quebec instead of being moved to Denver this would have been their logo for the '95-96 season.



Factoids:

The Quebec Nordiques formed as one of the original World Hockey Association teams in 1972. The franchise was originally awarded to a group in San Francisco, as the San Francisco Sharks. However, the San Francisco group's funding collapsed prior to the start of the first season, and the WHA hastily sold the organization to a Quebec City-based group headed by Paul Racine and Marcel Aubut.

They were named the Nordiques because they were one of the northernmost teams in professional sports in North America. Quebec City is located at 46 degrees northlatitude; the only WHA teams located further north were the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Cowboys, Vancouver Blazers and Winnipeg Jets.

The Nordiques' first head coach was the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard but he lasted two games, a 3–2 loss to the Cleveland Crusaders, and a 3-0 win against the Alberta Oilers. The "Rocket" decided coaching wasn't his forte and stepped down.

Only two players who suited up for the Nordiques are still active: Owen Nolan of the Minnesota Wild, and Adam Foote of the Colorado Avalanche.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Nordiques

---

The efforts to bring the team back to Quebec reportedly began to gain ground when Pierre Karl Peladeau was unable to buy the Canadiens. He apparently is one of the major backers behind this bid, along with Quebec TV magnates the Remillard brothers who own TQS.

The combination of Quebecor and TQS would provide a multi-media marketing foundation and access to corporate support that would be much more solid than that available in the 1990's.

That logo is hideous. Despite this, I'd still like to see a franchise come back there.

No need to reinvent the wheel, the classic Nords jersey will always be the best.

Logic would suggest Les Nordiques would seek to evoke the best aspects of their past, with a jersey that remains popular to this day...

davetherave wrote:Logic would suggest Les Nordiques would seek to evoke the best aspects of their past, with a jersey that remains popular to this day...

Wow, a blast from the past. God, they had some great teams after leaving Quebec. Great GM too, who somehow found a way to add that big piece for the playoff push.

Sakic and Forsberg havent aged since that picture

Foot on the other hand...

With the recent news about serious money backing the return of Nordiques, we now add news of interest in bringing back the Jets...could we see eight Canadian teams in the NHL before long?

davetherave wrote:With the recent news about serious money backing the return of Nordiques, we now add news of interest in bringing back the Jets...could we see eight Canadian teams in the NHL before long?

Not as long as Bettman is running the league.

Hoags wrote:

davetherave wrote:With the recent news about serious money backing the return of Nordiques, we now add news of interest in bringing back the Jets...could we see eight Canadian teams in the NHL before long?

Not as long as Bettman is running the league.

You evidently haven't read this post, nor listened to Bettman say he's now ready to consider it.
http://www.gmhockey.com/member-s-story-breakers-f8/update-return-of-the-quebec-nordiques-possible-say-rds-and-corus-sports-t2402-30.htm?sid=8123857af98f834624cc97d79e10d7ab#111968

NHL Deputy Commish Bill Daly has already visited the investor group in Quebec.

Hoags wrote:

davetherave wrote:With the recent news about serious money backing the return of Nordiques, we now add news of interest in bringing back the Jets...could we see eight Canadian teams in the NHL before long?

Not as long as Bettman is running the league.

Now, hold on. By getting 8 Canadian teams he would be snubbing Jim's "MakeItSeven" campaign. Plus two more Canadian teams while still shutting him out? I can see how this could spark some interest from Gary.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

wprager wrote:

Hoags wrote:

davetherave wrote:With the recent news about serious money backing the return of Nordiques, we now add news of interest in bringing back the Jets...could we see eight Canadian teams in the NHL before long?

Not as long as Bettman is running the league.

Now, hold on. By getting 8 Canadian teams he would be snubbing Jim's "MakeItSeven" campaign. Plus two more Canadian teams while still shutting him out? I can see how this could spark some interest from Gary.

Well said. I would tend to agree. I'm sure Lil' Gary has no interest in relocating teams "up there" but sticking it to Ballzebub would tempt him for sure.

You're not saying Gary is looking for revenge...are you?

davetherave wrote:
You evidently haven't read this post, nor listened to Bettman say he's now ready to consider it.
http://www.gmhockey.com/member-s-story-breakers-f8/update-return-of-the-quebec-nordiques-possible-say-rds-and-corus-sports-t2402-30.htm?sid=8123857af98f834624cc97d79e10d7ab#111968

NHL Deputy Commish Bill Daly has already visited the investor group in Quebec.

I'll believe it when I see it, I think Bettman is still obsessed with his expansion into the southern US.

He'll put a team in New Orleans before he gives Canada another team, but I would love to be wrong on this one.

The return of Les Nordiques looks more and more like a realistic possibility, according to Le Soleil, La Presse Canadienne and RDS.

Gary Bettman has apparently met with the Mayor of Quebec City, and former Nordiques owner and current principal of the investors group Marcel Aubut, to discuss the construction of an NHL arena in the city. As previously noted, the proposal is reportedly already supported by the Quebec Government and the Federal Government, with a subsidy of $175MM being discussed.

The Mayor has stated the new Colisée would be part of a $400MM development project.

Excerpt from RDS' report here:

Le maire de Québec, Régis Labeaume, et l'ancien président des Nordiques de Québec, Marcel Aubut, ont rencontré en catimini le commissaire de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Gary Bettman, vendredi à New York.

Ce bref périple des deux hommes survient au moment où s'intensifie une rumeur à l'effet qu'une annonce importante serait faite la semaine prochaine sur la construction d'un nouvel amphithéâtre à Québec.

Article here:
http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/283953.html

The report, also confirmed by The Gazette today:

Quebec City’s mayor and the former owner of the Quebec Nordiques met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Friday in New York City, the French-language television network LCN has reported.

According to the report, Mayor Régis Labeaume and Marcel Aubut discussed the possibility of Quebec City getting a new NHL team.

The meeting took place as rumours are swirling about a new arena to be built to replace the old Colisée, where the Quebec Nordiques played from the time they were established in the World Hockey Association in 1972 until the franchise was sold and moved to Colorado in 1995. At the time, Aubut wanted the provincial government to chip in the funds needed to build a new arena.

Bettman has said that building a new arena would be a key to establishing a new franchise in Quebec City.

LCN reported an announcement either about the arena or a new NHL franchise could come next week.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Former+Nordiques+owner+mayor+meet+Commish/2090732/story.html

Exciting news for longtime Nordiques fans, and all hockey fans who want to see more franchises in Canada.