The Hope of the Nordiques' Return

The National Hockey League is preparing its next major expansion... of billions of dollars.

No surprise there, the NHL taps into new markets without lube: it does it dry and it hurts.

And while Gary and his crew deny it, several American cities are already lining up with their suitcases full of cash. Houston, Atlanta (yes yes… them again), Kansas City, Portland, and even… San Diego. Nothing too good for those who don't have natural ice but have a bank account in US dollars.

Meanwhile, in the eyes of the media and the bigwigs of the Naaaational Hockey League, Quebec is still the chubby girl nobody invites to dance. The arena is there… but apparently not in the right postal code.

Seattle paid 650 million and Salt Lake City, the ice hockey capital, coughed up the hefty sum of 1.2 billion for... the "&?*%%" Coyotes. Next expansion? We're talking what, 2 billion? And they'll pull out their chequebooks without asking too many questions, because Gary swears that's the price to pay. Because the NHL isn't really a sport for the people anymore: it's a private club for filthy rich owners and players. But too much is never enough. They want more, even more.

Have you seen the price of Canadiens playoff tickets? It's a minimum of 400 bucks a seat, nice and comfortable way at the back of the building with all the other poor folks. It's indecent.

And Quebec in all this? It makes you think. Personally, there's no way I'd pay 400 dollars to see a hockey game, even if I could afford it. The show simply isn't worth it — actually, no show is worth it.

But we're here, our bibs hanging, hoping that handsome Gary invites us to dance.

Pathetic.

In the end, it's pretty simple. Quebec is not an American market. In the capital of taxes, income taxes and social democracy, Quebec doesn't have an owner running 12 private casinos in Vegas. Quebec doesn't have enough palm trees and — let's be honest — it's damn cold in Quebec.

I'd be the first one wanting to drag my behind in the sand if my pockets were stuffed with dough.

Quebec delivered the goods with its blue march and its clear commitment to the Videotron Centre. Quebec was a good player and it was the only one to follow the damn rules that clearly don't apply to other cities.

And how are things in Salt Lake City? Doesn't seem great, already season ticket prices are dropping.

Houston? Nothing against it. Certainly a good market, but Quebec deserved better.

Atlanta? Again? Clearly, this time it's going to work, because the number of fans doesn't matter. It's the billions that count.

And the others? Tough luck...

Not really, but okay.

Think about it…