COVID-19 pandemic could mean a chance for the return of the Quebec Nordiques
While many things are uncertain in the NHL right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one this that is certain is that the league is losing millions of dollars with every missed game. Because of that, a former NHL player-turned-hockey executive believes the time has never been better for a return of the Quebec Nordiques.
"It will be difficult for many teams," said former Montreal Canadiens defenceman and current Habs Senior Vice-President Serge Savard. "When teams like the Arizona Coyotes or the Florida Panthers struggled, the NHL was always there to help because of its large cash supply. They had billions of dollars on the sidelines to help struggling teams. This is why the league has always persisted in not moving teams. However, with the expected financial losses, the NHL may no longer have enough funds to help these teams."
Savard said that's why he believes the NHL may eventually be forced to move dying teams rather than doing everything in its power to keep them where they are.
“Before, there was no opening. After the crisis, when a franchise talks about major financial problems, I think the NHL will be less likely to prevent them from moving because they won't have the same cash to help them."
Savard added he believes wages will go down following the end of the pandemic, which means fewer people attending hockey games. It's another reason he believes Quebec City is an ideal candidate for a team based on its status as a provincial capital.
"All capitals, no matter where in the world, are doing better economically in times of crisis since they rely on more civil servants with guaranteed high salaries. I think Quebec will have fewer problems recovering than some other cities,” he explains.
Source: TVA Sports
|
YESTERDAY
MAY 20, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Dylan Coghlan | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nic Dowd | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brett Howden | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ross Colton | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tomas Hertl | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ben Hutton | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brandon Saad | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Sissons | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Devon Toews | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | - | - | |
| Brent Burns | - | - | - | |
| Jack Drury | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||