Photo credit: NHL
The National Hockey League is experiencing unprecedented success, and the idea of expanding to 34 teams is increasingly being considered.
While the official announcement of such a decision depends on the next collective bargaining agreement, expected in 2025, the city of Quebec is already at the center of discussions.
Many star players, like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, hope to see Quebec welcome a new franchise.
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Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is one of the biggest supporters of an expansion to Quebec.
According to him, it makes sense for the NHL to grow in markets where hockey is deeply rooted.
“It would be exciting to see the league expand to new places like Quebec,” he said, adding that the city would be a great choice for a new team.
Nathan MacKinnon, on the other hand, has always loved playing in Quebec and has been impressed by the enthusiasm of the fans. Although he knows there are challenges, he dreams of seeing a team in his hometown of Halifax, in the Maritimes, but believes that Quebec remains a realistic and ideal option.
Jack Eichel, forward for the Vegas Golden Knights, shares this enthusiasm. He recalls his experience at the Vidéotron Centre during the 2016 World Cup and believes Quebec has the infrastructure and passion needed to host a team.
For him, adding new teams would also be beneficial in creating more jobs within the league.
While cities like Houston are also contenders, the idea of seeing Quebec return to the NHL continues to inspire fans. Time will tell if this expansion becomes a reality.
It has already been announced by several sources that there will be an expansion in the NHL.
Where? The question remains.