Don Cherry Slams the NHL For Turning its Back on Quebec City as Atlanta Expansion Rumors Swirl

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Julien Trekker
January 13, 2025 (10:32)

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The renowned Don Cherry made a massive statement about an NHL expansion in Quebec City during a recent podcast episode.

NHL expansions are always a hot topic, as fans from many cities that don't have NHL franchises would love to be able to go to games in their towns.

Every time the debate comes on, it's always the same cities involved in the discussions: Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Quebec City, among others.

All of these towns would be great hockey markets, but Quebec has a special place in many fans' hearts.

It's been 30 years since the Quebec Nordiques relocated to Colorado and became the Avalanche, but fans never stopped hoping to see the NHL return to their town.

Don Cherry, a former controversial broadcaster, spoke out about how Quebec should get the next team, in his opinion while Atlanta is gaining traction about possibly getting the next expansion team.

Here's what he said in a recent episode of his podcast, Don Cherry's Grapevine:

"I still have no idea why there's no team in Quebec. It is the beautiful, lovely arena. Don't tell me that there's no money in Quebec City. Imagine (Montreal) Canadiens going (to play) in there."

"I remember going there with the Boston Bruins. And we always had fights in there, but I don't, I don't understand it. I don't understand why they're going back to Atlanta."

However, there's a simple reason why Quebec doesn't have a team: no one is willing to pay the price.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that no one in Quebec City made the proper procedures.

This is what he said a few months ago in an interview with the Montreal Gazette:

"That depends on a lot of factors that we don't control, including someone - or an entity - that is engaged enough and committed enough financially to want to even be considered and it hasn't happened yet."

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JANVIER 13 \| 125 ANSWERS Don Cherry Slams the NHL For Turning its Back on Quebec City as Atlanta Expansion Rumors Swirl Would you like to see the return of the Quebec Nordiques?
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