NHL to formally start expansion process (only LV and QC submit applications)

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by polak

I've stayed in places like that for months and yes, they get really boring after the 50th time you go eat in the old square. Either way though, we're not talking about the actual validity to that kind of statement.

We're talking about 20-something millionaires deciding where they want to live.

A city with a population of 750K, more than half of whom don't even speak your language? I don't think it will be very high on your list.

Shoot, Calgary has a population above 1 million. Are you absolutely enamored by all the things to do 24/7?

[Tyler]

Say what you want about the culture and food and all that... QC will be #1 or #2 on the list of least desirable NHL cities for... ever.

[Jordan!]

So with the Canadian dollar where it is, Quebecor could be on the hook for close to $750 million CDN fee to the NHL?

Damn

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Personally, I prefer smaller cities and I have lived in my fair share of both.

What specifically is Quebec City missing that makes it a less attractive place to live than say Detroit, St. Paul. Buffalo, Toronto, Vancouver, Columbus, Pittsburgh...?

The taxes and language barriers in QC would make it less attractive for some players compared to other markets.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

So with the Canadian dollar where it is, Quebecor could be on the hook for close to $750 million CDN fee to the NHL?

Damn

Closer to $650M CAD, but still steep.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Personally, I prefer smaller cities and I have lived in my fair share of both.

What specifically is Quebec City missing that makes it a less attractive place to live than say Detroit, St. Paul. Buffalo, Toronto, Vancouver, Columbus, Pittsburgh...?

Not french girls.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Say what you want about the culture and food and all that... QC will be #1 or #2 on the list of least desirable NHL cities for... ever.

That may be, but this isn't the Lindros era anymore.
Opportunity to earn is no longer entirely defined by the city you play in.
They will have a packed house full of rabid fans who will embrace anyone who wears the jersey. It won't be that bad a gig for anyone who has to play there.
I, for one, would be thrilled to have the Nords back in the NHL.

[Muta]

If you're a 20-something millionaire, I couldn't think of a better place to be than New York if we're talking about the urban experience only.

I'm sure there's many other reasons to like other NHL cities, but playing for the Rangers would be one hell of a fun ride, IMO.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Yeah, Realistically (Buffalo excluded) there's a pretty big cluster of teams where you could live in a pretty incredible area with a short commute between them.. Cali teams have it good in terms of "draw factor" too Id imagine.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Say what you want about the culture and food and all that... QC will be #1 or #2 on the list of least desirable NHL cities for... ever.

I'm not sure it will be that low........maybe though, I don't doubt based only on city location it will be near the bottom of the list for sure. But not sure that matters these days. Sure they will have a tougher time than a city like New York or LA, or maybe even a more middle of the road spot, but there will be no shortage of players who are looking for work in the NHL, and it's been proven time and time again, have a good program and you can overcome any draw backs your location may have.

I guess it's fair to say it's maybe a little harder to build a winner in a town like QC, or Buffalo for example, but that would be no reason not to go there from an NHL point of view.

[Erick Estrada]

Some European players may like Quebec City seeing it's got a Euro feel but Americans will not want any part of it and even Canadian players will likely be lukewarm. It would likely surpass Winnipeg as least desirable destination for NHL players.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Some European players may like Quebec City seeing it's got a Euro feel but Americans will not want any part of it and even Canadian players will likely be lukewarm. It would likely surpass Winnipeg as least desirable destination for NHL players.

Sure maybe, but francophone players will likely accept it, and being out east, travel will still be much much better for QC players than it even is for Winnipeg players being in the west, which will be more of an appeal. The taxes won't help.

Regardless, I think its totally fair to say, it's probably always going to be a lower priority destination for players, but I think the real point is, it doesn't matter, they will just have to work harder than some other destinations to build a winner, but that's true for almost every market that isn't New York or LA, just to varying degrees.

[Funkhouser]

Biased, as I live in QC - but from an urban perspective Quebec City can offer a lot more than a number of other NHL cities. Personally, I would choose Quebec City over Edmonton (duh), Winnipeg, Buffalo, Phoenix, Dallas, Raleigh, and maybe others.

Quebec City has soul. The girls are beautiful and most people speak English (just not as their first language). The city is dense and walkable with beautiful architecture, great food and culture. They will have a passionate fan base and the media will leave you alone (unless you are francophone). If you can ignore the politics and swallow the higher taxes, it is a great place to live. For me, the only issue is that it is quite isolated, but as an NHLer, you are on the road half the season and can live wherever you want in the summer.

On a side note, every time I am in Quebec City for work, I meet a tonne of Americans there as tourists or for work; typically they rave about the place and how it is so different than anywhere else in N.A. I think this would also appeal to many (not all) NHLers.

[_Q_]

I doubt Quebec will have any trouble attracting NHL players. There are far worse NHL cities than Quebec city.

Also I think most of you forget that the vast majority of the United States is a giant dump.

[Finger Cookin]

I don't think players would outright reject playing in QC if they were traded there or drafted there. It just won't be a destination for FA signings for non-francophones.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Muta

If you're a 20-something millionaire, I couldn't think of a better place to be than New York if we're talking about the urban experience only.

I'm sure there's many other reasons to like other NHL cities, but playing for the Rangers would be one hell of a fun ride, IMO.

Rangers, Devils or Islanders; you could live in Manhattan with any of those teams.

That said, you can basically live anywhere you want as a single player for any team. Rent an apartment in your home city, but you're only there for 1/2 the year. You can have a permanent home in freaking France if you want. Think about all the Euros that head home for the summer or even at Christmas/All-Star break.

[DiracSpike]

Just because Quebec City is cool to visit for a few days doesn't mean it would be a good place to live. The Chateau Frontenac and Bonhomme the winter festival mascot would get old after a while. Through places listed on NMC's and general sentiment around the league its pretty clear where players prefer to live, and if you're a Canadian city with a population less than 2 million you're in trouble.

The other factor is wives and families, I think young single guys don't mind playing anywhere because they have no roots and a smaller city that cares more about hockey like QC allows them to be the man. But almost no free agent with a family is going to be able convince their spouse to move to what is basically a Winnipeg where everyone speaks French. Not saying QC doesn't deserve a franchise but they need to be prepared to be THE most undesirable location in the league and take that into account when planning their strategy. Pretty much exactly what Winnipeg has been doing by investing in drafting in developing.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Biased, as I live in QC - but from an urban perspective Quebec City can offer a lot more than a number of other NHL cities. Personally, I would choose Quebec City over Edmonton (duh), Winnipeg, Buffalo, Phoenix, Dallas, Raleigh, and maybe others.

Quebec City has soul. The girls are beautiful and most people speak English (just not as their first language). The city is dense and walkable with beautiful architecture, great food and culture. They will have a passionate fan base and the media will leave you alone (unless you are francophone). If you can ignore the politics and swallow the higher taxes, it is a great place to live. For me, the only issue is that it is quite isolated, but as an NHLer, you are on the road half the season and can live wherever you want in the summer.

On a side note, every time I am in Quebec City for work, I meet a tonne of Americans there as tourists or for work; typically they rave about the place and how it is so different than anywhere else in N.A. I think this would also appeal to many (not all) NHLers.

I go to Quebec City at least once a year (was there for Canada Day this year actually) and it seems like there are always more tourists there that are Americans than from English Canada. It could just be my perception though. I got a good chuckle from a man talking to his kid as they were walking around and listening to them. They were from Chicago and thought it was just amazing there. Honestly, I barely speak any French and have never had an issue or received any guff from anyone about it.

If I had to compare Quebec City to a city in Western Canada, I would say it is like a French version of Victoria, but way more lively. It seems to have a really fit, energetic and urban population, it's very social and outdoorsy. It also has a bit of a maritime feel with things like whale watching and fishing being big attractions. People really utilize the public spaces and for the most part, I find the people really friendly.

It's also not that isolated. It's about as close to Montreal as Calgary is to Edmonton and is much closer to Ottawa, Toronto and Boston than Calgary is any other city of over a million people.

I don't think it would be the top draw for free agents, but it would be better than a lot of cities and could give cities like Calgary and Vancouver a run for their money IMO. The tax situation is really the only draw back, but like Montreal, they will have to pay a little more for big money players.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If I had to compare Quebec City to a city in Western Canada, I would say it is like a French version of Victoria, but way more lively. It seems to have a really fit, energetic and urban population, it's very social and outdoorsy. It also has a bit of a maritime feel with things like whale watching and fishing being big attractions. People really utilize the public spaces and for the most part, I find the people really friendly.

It's also not that isolated. It's about as close to Montreal as Calgary is to Edmonton and is much closer to Ottawa, Toronto and Boston than Calgary is any other city of over a million people.

I don't think it would be the top draw for free agents, but it would be better than a lot of cities and could give cities like Calgary and Vancouver a run for their money IMO. The tax situation is really the only draw back, but like Montreal, they will have to pay a little more for big money players.

This is a very accurate post. Agree with the comparison to Victoria.

You're right in terms of being relatively close to these centres, the problem is their airport doesn't have a lot of direct flights to anywhere aside from Montreal, Toronto and Paris.

If there was more employment there I would move there without hesitation.

[Resolute 14]

Worth noting from the NHL's press release on this is the absurd level of snark:

"Only Mr. Foley and Quebecor have confidence in their ability to secure arena & suitable ownership capability to move forward."

That, I would say, is a direct shot at Seattle's city council. IMO, the league basically said it was prepared to give Seattle a team, but the city is blowing it.