Grant McCagg sees only one way for Quebec City to bring back the Nordiques

Vincent Larue
Grant McCagg sees only one way for Quebec City to bring back the Nordiques
Credit: Capture d’écran | Youtube

For years, Nordiques fans have been hoping to see the NHL return to Quebec City.

But, according to Grant McCagg, they may have to cheer for the arrival of a new team… in the United States.

We already know that the NHL's next expansion is headed to Texas. Houston is currently the top contender to host the 33rd team, although Austin remains in the running.

Once again, Quebec City will have to watch the opportunity pass them by.

On his HabsCast podcast, McCagg was quite categorical about Quebec City's chances of landing an expansion team. He pointed out that all NHL expansions over the past 30 years have taken place in the United States, and he doesn't expect that trend to change.

According to him, Quebec City's real chance would come from the failure of an American team.

And particularly Atlanta, if it becomes the 34th team.

McCagg believes the NHL might take a third shot at this market, and he doesn't seem convinced the experiment would work (and with good reason). He even goes so far as to suggest that another failure in Atlanta could eventually open the door to a relocation to Quebec City.

It certainly wouldn't be a first for Atlanta.

The Atlanta Flames joined the NHL in 1972 before moving to Calgary in 1980 to become the Calgary Flames. The NHL then tried again with the Thrashers in 1999, but they eventually moved to Winnipeg in 2011 to become the Jets.

Two teams from Atlanta. Two moves to Canada.

Let's just say that precedent is interesting for Quebec City.

Arizona is the other market mentioned by McCagg. As we were just discussing earlier today on DLC, a return of the NHL to the desert remains a possibility. McCagg believes that another failure there could also potentially benefit Quebec City.

But once again, we'd have to wait for an American team to fail.

That's where the situation becomes almost cruel for Nordiques fans.

McCagg even imagines people in Quebec City rejoicing over an expansion to Atlanta, telling themselves that, five years later, that team could end up in their city.

Of course, this is McCagg's opinion and not an indication that the NHL has definitively closed the door on Quebec City.

Still, his scenario is quite unusual.


In a Nutshell

– Tie for the Supra.

– Jaccob Slavin shares the Stanley Cup with the fans.

– Stay tuned.

– Oliver Kapanen is very confident.

– Let's not forget Matt Murray.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!