2025-2026 NHL Offseason

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Comments

  • a5pj
    a5pj Hershey PA Posts: 3,977
    quebec population 884k
    houston 2.28 million
    hmmm, wonder if that has anything to do with it...
    Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended in 2010, with lots of fire?



  • nautical_disaster
    nautical_disaster Posts: 348
    I guess that's why I watch maybe 80% less hockey than I used to - and i know it's my problem only, because clearly @a5pj and @MayDay10, you guys make sense in your reasoning. But it's insane to me that they got rid of  the hockey equivalent of Wrigley and Fenway (The Forum and the Maple Leaf Gardens), got rid of the Nordiques when not only did all of the surrounding area in Quebec came to watch, but also yours truly in the Maritimes because it was the closest team to us. But I get it, make you money, get your luxury boxes etc. I just wish some things would be too important historically to mess with. 

    (2000) Mansfield I, Mansfield II (2003) Montreal (2005) Montreal, Ottawa (2006) Albany (2008) Montreal I + II (EV) (2022) Québec City


  • Johnny Abruzzo
    Johnny Abruzzo Philly Posts: 12,542
    Quebec should have a team. It's not even interesting with all these dumb sunbelt teams deep into the playoffs.
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; Phila, PA 10/21/13; Phila,  PA 10/22/13; Baltimore Arena 10/27/13; Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25

    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
  • MayDay10
    MayDay10 Posts: 11,895
    In a perfect world, for general flavor of the league, and nostalgia, I would have Quebec in there.  But I do see the prudence that it makes little business sense for the NHL.  Plus, they would also probably need a multi-billionaire person to be willing to buy a team and relocate them to QC.

    The US TV market is what wins the day.  Also the creation of new fans.  Say what you will about southern expansion, it has certainly had a few bumps... but it has also had some amazing success stories and has created a lot of new hockey fans.  Believe it or not, Houston actually has a somewhat ingrained hockey interest and Gordie Howe played there.
    The other location that has been mentioned (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) is Salt Lake City.

    My son played in a AAA hockey tournament last weekend from kids from all around the country.  There was a kid from South Florida who went to a Panthers game when he was 5 and instantly decided that hockey was his jam.  Another similar story with Southern CA and Anaheim.  Another kid came from Texas.   








  • nautical_disaster
    nautical_disaster Posts: 348
    100% agree that there are lots of success stories for non Traditional hockey markets in the US - hell I remember watching a Pittsburgh-Columbus playoff game a few years back, and being amazed at how "Canadian hockey fan" crazy the crowd was in Columbus. The Hurricanes fans are great too. It's awesome to have new fans discover the game. 

    (2000) Mansfield I, Mansfield II (2003) Montreal (2005) Montreal, Ottawa (2006) Albany (2008) Montreal I + II (EV) (2022) Québec City


  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,981
    Johnny Abruzzo said:
    Quebec should have a team. It's not even interesting with all these dumb sunbelt teams deep into the playoffs.
    Why?  It's the same players that would otherwise be playing in the northern tier.  Do you really think that having a team in Quebec City would be healthier for the league than Tampa?  Not a chance.  
  • nicknyr15
    nicknyr15 Posts: 9,445
    Johnny Abruzzo said:
    Quebec should have a team. It's not even interesting with all these dumb sunbelt teams deep into the playoffs.
    Not interesting? To each his own. 2 out of 4 teams have never won a cup. I’m loving these playoffs. 
  • MayDay10
    MayDay10 Posts: 11,895
    mrussel1 said:
    Johnny Abruzzo said:
    Quebec should have a team. It's not even interesting with all these dumb sunbelt teams deep into the playoffs.
    Why?  It's the same players that would otherwise be playing in the northern tier.  Do you really think that having a team in Quebec City would be healthier for the league than Tampa?  Not a chance.  
    Also, the players themselves seem to prefer living and working in nicer and warmer cities (self-own, I know coming from Buffalo).  Quebec City would just be another outpost like Winnipeg and Edmonton.
  • Wobbie
    Wobbie Posts: 31,628
    MayDay10 said:
    Quebec City isnt going to get them.  

    It'll probably be Houston, with a Dark Horse of Salt Lake City.
    I live in Salt Lake and have heard zero rumors of this. the current flavor is MLB. I’d rather get an NHL team.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
    Missoula 24
  • CROJAM95
    CROJAM95 NEW YORK Posts: 11,189
    I think Florida will win it, they had the pressure last year with #1 seed, Presidents curse.....they are loose this time around

    I think the Eastern teams, whoever makes it will have a slightly better chance to win it
  • MayDay10
    MayDay10 Posts: 11,895
    edited May 2023
    Wobbie said:
    MayDay10 said:
    Quebec City isnt going to get them.  

    It'll probably be Houston, with a Dark Horse of Salt Lake City.
    I live in Salt Lake and have heard zero rumors of this. the current flavor is MLB. I’d rather get an NHL team.



    Also


    https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2023/04/22/utah-jazz-owner-ryan-smiths/
    Post edited by MayDay10 on
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 18,031
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,026
    MayDay10 said:
    mrussel1 said:
    Johnny Abruzzo said:
    Quebec should have a team. It's not even interesting with all these dumb sunbelt teams deep into the playoffs.
    Why?  It's the same players that would otherwise be playing in the northern tier.  Do you really think that having a team in Quebec City would be healthier for the league than Tampa?  Not a chance.  
    Also, the players themselves seem to prefer living and working in nicer and warmer cities (self-own, I know coming from Buffalo).  Quebec City would just be another outpost like Winnipeg and Edmonton.
    HEY!  ;)
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • Hawkshore
    Hawkshore Posts: 2,188
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    Van 92.07.21 / Van 98.07.19 / Sea 98.07.22 / Tor 98.08.22 / Sea 00.11.06 / Van 03.05.30/ Van 05.09.02/ Gorge 06.07.22 & 23 / EV Van 08.04.02 / Tor 09.08.21 / Sea 09.09.21 & 22 / Van 09.09.25 / Van 11.09.25 / Van 13.12.04 / Pem 16.07.17 / Sea 18.08.10
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,981
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    How is the jazz scene in SLC?  Maybe it kicks ass, but one thinks of NY, Chicago and NOLA as the jazz centers. 
  • Wobbie
    Wobbie Posts: 31,628
    mrussel1 said:
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    How is the jazz scene in SLC?  Maybe it kicks ass, but one thinks of NY, Chicago and NOLA as the jazz centers. 
    the only jazz scene is the NBA team.

    can’t decide who I want to lose more in the ECF.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
    Missoula 24
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 18,031
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    Or Utah calling themselves the Jazz or the most egregious...Los Angeles calling themselves the Lakers.
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • 1ThoughtKnown
    1ThoughtKnown Posts: 6,155
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    Obviously haven’t been paying attention to the news for the past 10 years. Alberta is consistently on fire. 
  • Wobbie
    Wobbie Posts: 31,628
    Poncier said:
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    Or Utah calling themselves the Jazz or the most egregious...Los Angeles calling themselves the Lakers.
    if SLC gets the PHX team, they could still be the coyotes. we have plenty of them. 
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
    Missoula 24
  • Johnny Abruzzo
    Johnny Abruzzo Philly Posts: 12,542
    Wobbie said:
    Poncier said:
    Hawkshore said:
    Poncier said:
    MayDay10 said:
     (along with Atlanta where I dont think it is going to go) 





    Why anyone would consider Atlanta yet again is beyond me.
    Fool me once, shame on you.
    Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Fool me 3 times, shame on Gary Bettman.
    Well one thing to be said for NHL hockey in Atlanta is it is the best way to get more teams in Canada! We are two for two on franchise relocations so far! ...Still think it is dumb Calgary calls themselves the Flames though, almost as stupid as Memphis calling themselves the Grizzlies! 
    Or Utah calling themselves the Jazz or the most egregious...Los Angeles calling themselves the Lakers.
    if SLC gets the PHX team, they could still be the coyotes. we have plenty of them. 
    Seems like they should be the Lakers
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; Phila, PA 10/21/13; Phila,  PA 10/22/13; Baltimore Arena 10/27/13; Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25

    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16

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