Known name Brian Burke gives a date for the return of the Nordiques

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Elias Edmonson
April 27, 2024 (12:50)

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It's stirring up in the NHL right now. Just days after the Arizona Coyotes' move to Utah, talk of expansions is already buzzing.

Here's an interesting development.

While the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah is barely settled and official, the renowned Brian Burke believes the NHL is already preparing something big.

It should be noted that Burke is a former NHL GM, a former NHL president, and especially a former employee of the National Hockey League.

According to him, there is no doubt that the NHL is heading straight towards a league of 36 teams, and four expansion franchises will be gradually added.

"We're talking about fees between 1 and 2 billion dollars per expansion franchise that will be added to the league. The 32 owners will dislocate a shoulder they'll be so eager to sign forcefully at the bottom of the proposal!"- Brian Burke

Two sources mention a timeline of 5 years, so 36 teams in the NHL by 2029 would be the plan. It's really interesting.

Why so interesting? Because of what journalist Renaud Lavoie recently mentioned on TVA Sports.

Renaud Lavoie believes that the return of the Quebec Nordiques would be virtually assured in an NHL with 36 teams

Reminder of the statement in question.

«Here is Renaud Lavoie, a journalist for TVA Sports and, by extension, an employee of Quebecor, mentioning that in such a scenario, Quebec would be virtually assured of having its team» - DLC

Renaud Lavoie adds that this could facilitate many things in terms of the schedule, which is really not achieving consensus at the moment, and he believes that it could finally allow Bettman to increase the number of teams in the playoffs. (something he has wanted to do for a while)

"Beyond the schedule and the playoffs, it is clear that by adding four other teams (Quebec would be virtually assured of having a team) NHL hockey would be very different." - Renaud Lavoie, via Le Journal de Montréal

If we combine their two statements, it really gives hope for Quebec!

Burke, by the way, is really not the only one mentioning this.

Credit : HABSolumentFan - Brian Burke prédit le plan de la LNH en vue des prochaines expansions