Gary Bettman said he is always happy to meet elected politicians.
And a specific meeting scheduled to take place next month has certainly piqued the interest of thousands of Quebec hockey fans.
But before causing hysteria among supporters of the late Nordiques of Quebec who still believe in the return of an NHL franchise in the Old Capital, Commissioner Bettman had a little fun with the journalists at the conclusion of the meeting. of the League’s Board of Governors.
“I do not know the subjects they want to discuss with me,” said Bettman about his meeting scheduled for January with representatives of the Quebec government. At 10,000 feet, we can all draw conclusions. “
The eventual return of the Nordiques – a franchise that moved from the province in 1995 to become the Colorado Avalanche – will in all likelihood be the only issue that will be discussed during this famous meeting.
Bettman has nevertheless done everything under the hot Florida sun to mitigate the expectations of Quebec fans who are still hoping for the establishment of an eighth NHL franchise on Canadian soil.
“There’s no preconceived idea, none of that,” Bettman explained. However, I am more than happy that government officials want to meet with me. “
The thread of events is special, as embarrassing headlines rocked the Arizona Coyotes, just days before the first annual face-to-face Governors Meeting since 2019. Numerous unpaid bills totaling around US $ 1.3 million by the Coyotes to the town of Glendale and the business that runs their home, the Gila River Arena, resulted in a threat of eviction from the building.
Bettman, however, assured journalists on the Atlantic coast of Florida that the Coyotes “are doing well, they are doing very well”, before explaining why the project in Quebec does not succeed, despite the construction of an amphitheater of 18 259 seats – the famous Videotron Center – which opened in 2015.
“The issue is to know if a team that currently exists is ready to move? And the answer is no, he mentioned. Or are we ready for another phase of expansion? As of today, we have no expansion plan.
“But I am happy to participate in a meeting and to listen to what the government of Quebec wants to tell me. You know me well enough to know that I never close the door on anything… we’ll see what happens, ”he added.
Quebec saw its candidacy temporarily “shelved” when the go-ahead was given to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2016. The Seattle Kraken then secured an expansion squad in 2019 and began operations this season, carrying the league. 32 teams – 16 in each association.
Bettman praised the passion of Quebec hockey fans, but he also offered a history lesson.
“When the Nordiques moved, it was based on two things, he recalled. At the time, there was no talk of a new amphitheater. And… despite all the best efforts, no one wanted to own a hockey team in Quebec.
“The world has changed a lot since then, and I’ll be happy to listen and see where it takes us,” he concluded.