Something changed between Quebecor and the Canadiens, don't you think?

Are the Canadiens less interesting at Quebecor?

For the past few days, I've been wondering. A well-known source on "X" tipped me off. At first, I didn't believe it, but reality hit me like Mayor Marchand's streetcar &*??*&%.

But where did the Canadiens news go across Quebecor's various media outlets? I mean the real stuff that gets the fans excited. For example, could Cole Caufield become the greatest scorer of all time?

Not that it interests me, but there's something different about it. Don't you think?

The news is still there, you'll tell me. I'll grant you that. But I have this odd impression that there's less of it. And especially, that there's less actual news about the current Canadiens.

At first, I told myself it was probably just me and that by constantly fantasizing about the Nordiques' return, I'd damaged my sense of reality.

After all, it's August. Nothing much ever happens in the NHL at this time of year.

Except when it comes to the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge... usually.

After digging through Quebecor's archives, it wasn't so much the number of articles that struck me as their content.

At this same time last year, you regularly found stories about current players, prospects and team building. There was notably talk of Michael Hage and his development with Team Canada, the Canadiens' defence, Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc and the big questions surrounding next season.

In short, Canadiens stuff. The real deal.

This summer, the menu sometimes seems a lot more... creative.

Once again, I'm probably imagining things. I'm kind of like that generation of baby boomers who wants to see Quebec independence before they die.

For me, it's the Nordiques' return.

And ideally, I'd even like to see them hoist the Stanley Cup before I end up in a nursing home with a full diaper.

I'm getting off track.

Let's just take August 11th. Four articles were listed in the "Canadiens" section.

Not bad, four articles.

Except they talked about Serge Savard, Stéphane Richer, the 1986 championship team and Jean Perron. Cole Caufield still managed to sneak into one of the texts (Except Cole is Cole, that doesn't count).

I've got nothing against Jean Perron. But I don't know... it's like stories about Bergy.

Can't handle it anymore.

But... when you have to go back 40 years to fill the Canadiens section. Let's just say that's starting to pique my curiosity.

Is this simply the calm before the storm?

Maybe.

Except last year, and all the other years, I already had enough. Now, I'm almost eager to read the next article about Demidov.

Is Quebecor really covering the Canadiens less than before?

I don't have enough data yet to answer definitively yes. And honestly, I'm not really keen on doing an exhaustive search.

But I have enough to start wondering why, because what interests me isn't the CH, it's the Nordiques.

And the timing is awfully interesting and I'm living pretty well with my obvious bias.

Because while I'm desperately waiting for the series of articles on the Lane Hutson phenomenon, there's another file that, for its part, remains oddly quiet.

I even wrote about this matter this week. I'll be brief then.

TVA Sports

Remember?

Last May, Pierre Karl Péladeau told us that negotiations with the NHL regarding broadcasting rights were "very advanced."

Very advanced.

The Canadiens start their season on September 29th. That's tomorrow!

But I'm repeating myself a bit. You know the story.

The big questions

Is Quebecor investing less energy in the Canadiens because its business relationship with the NHL is currently being redefined?

Has PKP had enough of Molson's shenanigans, who is more or less blocking a team's return to Quebec by refusing to share the pie?

Will Bettman fix the "last mistake of the past" before he leaves?

The Nordiques

You knew I'd get there eventually. I'm predictable and stubborn.

If you didn't already know, the NHL is starting to talk seriously about expansion again. It's not me saying it, it's the league.

Houston or Austin could eventually become the 33rd team.

Atlanta continues to circle around the League. Good grief....

And especially... Bill Daly still manages to remind us that Quebec is a good market with an excellent arena.

Hello Earth? Can you please tell me when was the last time Bill or Gary talked about Quebec without being harassed by a journalist's questions?

It's true, he also added that there were no interested investors.

True or false?

I'm among those who think Quebecor won't be part of a potential buyer group and that PKP will focus on broadcasting.

And I think that could become very, very lucrative.

I'm not announcing the Nordiques' return. Except that...

The real answer is coming soon

In the end, the good news is that we won't have to wait very long.

Training camp is coming and we'll certainly be bombarded with news about the CH...

Houston will be confirmed, then Atlanta, and then...

35 teams? No, I simply don't believe it.

Ignoring Canada four times during the last expansion phase in NHL history?

I don't believe that either.

Are you getting on my fantasy streetcar or not?

Think about it...