Move the Flyers, then this could be Nordiquebuzz. Can even change your name to Equelund

QC population: 550k + surrounding area

Houston population: 2.3 million + surrounding areas

Which do we choose for a team first? Oh yea, the city the league already left.
- gocanes0506

TBF, when you look at the hockey climate and histories in the areas, QC seems to be the better fit for success. The Nords were supported by fans, it was the government that failed them and gave them little support; a new and larger/better arena most likely would have done the trick. Houston is not a hotbed for hockey, whereas QC would draw fast from a greater hackey base... if they have adequate and welcoming support this time around. Quebec City is a fantastic city to take a hockey trip to; in fact, I've personally visited multiple times without any hockey factored in.

Would love to see a return of the Nordiques. Worked out in Winnipeg, so there's reason for optimism. Only drawback is it's likely another Canadian team that won't be able to attract good free agents.

TBH, it's been a crime that Quebec City has been out of the NHL for this long... I'd feel bad for any city that lost a team, but would openly and gladly welcome QC back in the fold, hopefully with its name, logo, traditions, fans, etc. returning with it.
- ForeverFlyer16

+1.
If you've ever been to Quebec City, you'd be amazed to find that they're still selling Nordiques jerseys and merchandise on every street corner/souvenir shop in town. You can even buy jerseys with players' names on the back (Hextall, Sakic, LaFleur, etc....). Pretty cool, actually.

Why do you say “what say you” all the time? It’s f%#*in stupid

TBF, when you look at the hockey climate and histories in the areas, QC seems to be the better fit for success. The Nords were supported by fans, it was the government that failed them and gave them little support; a new and larger/better arena most likely would have done the trick. Houston is not a hotbed for hockey, whereas QC would draw fast from a greater hackey base... if they have adequate and welcoming support this time around. Quebec City is a fantastic city to take a hockey trip to; in fact, I've personally visited multiple times without any hockey factored in.
- ForeverFlyer16

cool. The QC team left for a smaller market than Houston by about 3 times (denver is about 725k people). QC might be cool and a good hockey city but, the 2.3 million viewers + surrounding areas bumps the national TV contracts more than QC.

What teams are your sources aka barber (e4) and the 11 year old kid who lives next door to you (e5) telling you could be on the move?

My first guess would have been Arizona. Second maybe Florida. Third hopefully the NY Rangers? That would be fantastic

Florida to Quebec
Arizona to Houston

I could see Florida moving to Quebec (outside shot at Ottawa)
I could see Arizona moving to Houston
Calgary to KC ? I'd hope not but the've had issues with new arena...
Carolina has had difficulty, but heard they were looking at new arena in Raleigh? If that doesnt happen they are surely on this list as well.
- Amanion

Calgary is going nowhere. They'll fight with the city and make threats to try and get a new arena, but at the end of the day they'll get their rink and stay.

Canes just signed a new 5 year lease extension to the end of 2029 where Tom Dundon himself is liable for cash penalties if the Canes break the lease early.

There's an agreement in place to explore the possibility of a new arena in downtown Raleigh with Dundon putting in a couple hundred million out of his own pocket. If it's determined that building the arena down there is not feasible, then instead they'll further renovate the current arena and Dundon has committed to developing the area around the current arena to create a new entertainment district.

I would like to see a team in Portland.
Coyotes are the obvious choice for relocation,then Panthers.
Although Quebec has already had a team, so too had Colorado,Winnipeg, Atlanta etc.
- Reubenkincade

I would also like to see a team in Portland. Great city.

It's got to be Arizona on the move first, doesn't it? Only team I've heard of that's bouncing cheques while trying to pay it's players. If it's to Quebec, sure it screws with the division alignments for a while, but oh well.

What I can't wrap my head around is how any prospective new market (owner) could see it as financially viable to purchase/relocate a team any time soon. (?) If one or more current owners is going bankrupt, could the league possibly be forced into allowing those teams to fold and holding a dispersal draft of those teams' players?

I would also like to see a team in Portland. Great city.
- BINGO!

According to some other poster nobody would put team in Portland lol
Portland already has a pretty good hockey fan base and would make for a good rivalry with Seattle, Vancouver and the 2 Alberta teams.

Personally I could see Columbus being that first team. Maybe they move to Toronto area after Florida relocates to Quebec.
- Glak18

You make me laugh!

The empty seats in Florida, Arizona and Columbus should have these teams moved to Quebec City, Kitchener/Waterloo and Saskatoon, real hockey cities. It won't happen because the league would rather have games played in front of 4,000 fans in the some USA cities instead of full houses in Canada.

Jersey is going nowhere. Very Sound Financially. Harris/Blitzer have deep pockets and they will not give up the future revenue that The Rock ( Prudential Center ) gives them. It is one of the biggest money making Arena's in the Country. With past owners yes, this group - No Way Jose
- JonnyGar

Harris and Blitzer bought the team for the arena. They then worked to get the Izod center shut down to reduce competition. Prudential center is where the money is at. If they decided to sell the franchise they would simply keep the arena.

I'm not saying they are inclined to sell but there is nothing stopping them. The team is not the money maker for them.

Florida Panthers. Pack your $hit.

I could see the Panthers or the Hurricane moving to Quebec. Both have serious financial issues.

If the Yotes are to move, I could see them either going to Houston or KC.

I think Canadian markets would be more attractive because of how they have handled the Covid virus right now. Long term, not so sure. I think the league would be better served to be Geographically closer with Vegas and LA, but there are no real options.

Time will tell.

The empty seats in Florida, Arizona and Columbus should have these teams moved to Quebec City, Kitchener/Waterloo and Saskatoon, real hockey cities. It won't happen because the league would rather have games played in front of 4,000 fans in the some USA cities instead of full houses in Canada.
- islansjet

Columbus averages more people per game than Winnipeg's arena actually holds.

And Saskatoon could never host an NHL team.

It's hard enough getting players to sign in Winnipeg or Edmonton, let alone a city that's only about 1/3rd the size of those places.

We have a lot of diehard Winterhawks fans out here and they pump a ton of talent into the NHL. Already have an NHL ready building where the Blazers play.

I still don’t see it happening.

We have a lot of diehard Winterhawks fans out here and they pump a ton of talent into the NHL. Already have an NHL ready building where the Blazers play.

I still don’t see it happening.
- black_francis

Yes, but we can only hope.
As a Canucks fan, I have hoped for both Seattle and Portland to eventually have teams, preferably would have liked relocation and not expansion though, as the talent is already watered down.

I could see Florida moving to Quebec (outside shot at Ottawa)
I could see Arizona moving to Houston
Calgary to KC ? I'd hope not but the've had issues with new arena...
Carolina has had difficulty, but heard they were looking at new arena in Raleigh? If that doesnt happen they are surely on this list as well.
- Amanion

They are already building the Flames new arena in Calgary...so no they are not going anywhere.

Nobody is gonna put anything in Portland.
- SoCalPucks

What do you mean by that? Its one of the best cities in the US to live in. It has a lot of young people, much more white than most metropolises. The Blazers do very well. The state is under-served by professional franchises.

I could see it happen.

Calgary is going nowhere. They'll fight with the city and make threats to try and get a new arena, but at the end of the day they'll get their rink and stay.

Canes just signed a new 5 year lease extension to the end of 2029 where Tom Dundon himself is liable for cash penalties if the Canes break the lease early.

There's an agreement in place to explore the possibility of a new arena in downtown Raleigh with Dundon putting in a couple hundred million out of his own pocket. If it's determined that building the arena down there is not feasible, then instead they'll further renovate the current arena and Dundon has committed to developing the area around the current arena to create a new entertainment district.
- BINGO!

The arena has been approved by the city of Calgary and is under construction.

TBF, when you look at the hockey climate and histories in the areas, QC seems to be the better fit for success. The Nords were supported by fans, it was the government that failed them and gave them little support; a new and larger/better arena most likely would have done the trick. Houston is not a hotbed for hockey, whereas QC would draw fast from a greater hackey base... if they have adequate and welcoming support this time around. Quebec City is a fantastic city to take a hockey trip to; in fact, I've personally visited multiple times without any hockey factored in.
- ForeverFlyer16

Quebec City is amazing. However, every time I talk to someone young there, it seems like they are planning to leave or bemoaning that they have to stay.