Oui Québec!

Written by guest contributing author,
Felix Brousseau.

The rumor mill is on at full throttle. Well, it’s been a while now that rumors run about the possible comeback of the Quebec Nordiques. A dream for some which could now be a reality according to the last news from RDS.

According to them, Quebec’s mayor, Régis Labeaume, as well as the team’s former president, Marcel Aubut, met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York.


As we might recall recently, Bettman made a comment during the Phoenix Saga about a possible return of the former NHL franchise in the Vieille Capitale. This being conditional to the construction of a new venue instead of the, well lets say it, “decaying” Pepsi Coliseum.

Saying it is easy, but doing it is something else. The main obstacle to such a project was mainly finding the funds. Financing a 400M project is quite something for a market like Quebec City and the obvious (and maybe only viable) way of doing it is obtaining the favors of a private investor(s) who has pockets deep enough for such a project. This kind of investor does not flow in Quebec and usually are located (and have interest) in Montreal. Also, the problem of corporate boxes. Essentially, one of the problems is financing a new amphitheater. Without it, no Nordiques!

Back to the topic. RDS claims an important announcement will be made about the coliseum. If we think about it logically, that means that a private investor was found. This investor was allegedly cited during a CHOI radio broadcast as Red Bull GmbH. Yes, the Red Bull cans company behind les Nordiques!

Ok Quebec citizens (and I), let's calm down and think logically about the plausibility of such a declaration; Red Bull, as a business, is going very well. In 2006, they recorded a net income of about €650 million (which is about a billion US$). It has many interests in traditional sports with la Scuderia Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing in F1, the association football teams of New York Reb Bulls (currently playing in the MLS) and the FC Red Bull Salzburg as well as the EC Salzburg playing in the Austrian Hockey League. Adding to that, Red Bull organizes, hosts and sponsors many alternative and extreme sports events. One of them is the popular and spectacular Red Bull Crashed Ice taking place each year since 2006. This event is a yearly success, attracting thousands of people each time.

So what does that mean. Well a few things. First, Red Bull loves sports, and wants to be part of each league possible. A viable market like Quebec City, added to a couple of discounted teams towards the south would be a big opportunity (as well as a big bargain) to someone with deep pockets who wants to expand into the NHL (as well as to make “little” profits).

Also, Red Bull has already interests in the city with the Crashed Ice, which is a success each year it has taken place. It is because of such an event that Red Bull has some insights into the market: it knows the market and the love of Quebec’s citizens for sports and big events (imagine the playoffs, or the Stanley Cup...imagine...). For Red Bull, having a team in Quebec City would only mean another success.

However, people might recall the fiasco in Phoenix, where our dear Commissioner literally blocked a very profitable transaction between the Coyotes and Mr. Jim Balsillie. Did he do it by ego, love for the Southern States Market, both? None of this matters if Red Bull offers financing. Why? How? Well, even though Research In Motion (the company behind the Blackberry devices) is a far larger business, Red Bull has far more visibility: who does not go out in a club, asking for a Vodka Red Bull (personal note: very bad mixture as both drinks have opposite effects)? Who has not seen the “Red Bull gives you wings” ad on TV? As a company, RIM might be bigger, but when talking about visibility, Red Bull has the edge.

And this is something non-negligible for someone like Bettman, who has a product in dire need of visibility outside the canadian market. Red Bull ads with a post-message comment like “official partner of the NHL” adds a lot of weight to implementation of a team in QC.

On the other hand, we have Pierre Karl Peladeau, grand manitou de Quebecor, who has shown interest in investing. Let’s wind back the tapes a little: Quebecor was one of the businesses who put an offer for the Montreal Canadiens in June. Though the offer was quickly rejected (because of the Molson’s tradition with the Canadiens or a badly-planned offer), we can deduce that the Quebec-based business has the money needed to bring back the team in Quebec.

People might underestimate the power of PKP over the media in Canada (and by extension, North America): Quebec is one of the largest media conglomerates in Canada (with a revenue of about 10 billion $ only for its Quebecor Media division), double as one of the largest printing companies in the world (even when counting the recent financial difficulty of Quebec World). It has the assets to promote the team: on its TVA channel, on the net, on paper, etc. This is non-negligible since the NHL will not have to sign deals with broadcasting companies around Canada.

While Quebecor is not as well known as Red Bull throughout the world, it operates in a range of media that would certainly add visibility for the league in Canada and the Northern United States. And having a Quebecois owner for the Quebec team is always good.

But again, no matter how good this logic and those arguments are, this is still the realm of rumors (even if it’s almost being confirmed at the time I’m writing this article). Nothing can be taken as granted (even though I wish it was). And if all of this is real, it is not for tomorrow: the venue is not built, one team must be bought and relocated (which is itself quite something), the league and the governors must approve, etc.

Still, at the light of recent rumors and events, I, as a native of Quebec City, can’t think otherwise than it is definitely happening in the near future! Peter Stasny for DG? Patrick Roy as headcoach? Vincent Lecavalier, captain of the future Nordiques (given the Lightning relocate themselves)? Montreal fans, be happy: you will witness one of the most intense and enduring rivalries in professional sport! But more than anything, Quebec fans, rejoice: Your team is coming back, soon!

related articles:

RDS - LNH: Québec a gagné des points

TSN - Mayor speaks with Bettman about return of NHL to Quebec City

Rue Frontenac - Une visite fructueuse pour Labeaume et Aubut

Rue Frontenac - Le CH a cessé de progresser après le départ des Nordiques

2009-10 NHL Season Predictions

Tomorrow, the NHL season kicks off, as our Montreal Canadiens visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's been an NHL summer filled with off-ice drama, rumors and changes. Now, enough talk. It's time to drop the puck, and let your shoulder and hands do the talking.

Before Day 1 of the NHL 2009-10 season gets underway, however, I've decided to share my predictions. It's never an easy task, especially when teams like the Canadiens and Leafs go through extensive roster changes. It's tough to predict whether the new players will gel together. Also, injuries are part of the game and can greatly affect a team's season. Keeping those variables in mind, here are my ranking predictions for both Conferences this season:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Sharks
2. Red Wings
3. Canucks
4. Flames
5.Ducks
6. Blackhawks
7. Stars
8. Blue Jackets
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9. Wild
10. Blues
11. Oilers
12. Kings
13. Predators
14. Avalanche
15. Coyotes


EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Penguins
2. Capitals
3. Bruins
4. Flyers
5. Devils
6. Canadiens
7. Hurricanes
8. Sabres
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9. Senators
10. Maple Leafs
11. Rangers
12. Lightning
13. Thrashers
14. Islanders
15. Panthers

What are your predictions?

Bob 'Busy B' Gainey

It was certainly to be expected; a major overhaul in the Montreal Canadiens organization. It would be an understatement to say GM Bob Gainey has been active so far this offseason. By not resigning Koivu, Kovalev, Tanguay, Komisarek, Lang, Kostopoulous, Dandenault, Brisebois, and Bouillon (there are so many I may be forgetting one or two), Gainey gave himself plenty of wiggle room under the salary cap to spend in the pool of free agents this summer, giving him a rare opportunity to reshape the team and its philosophy. After a disappointing centennial season, the franchise will now get a fresh start, with new owners, the Molson family, a new coaching staff with Jacques Martin as Head Coach, and new players.

Bob Gainey made a splash the day before the July 1st free agent frenzy by trading away Chris Higgins, defensive prospect Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko and Doug Janik, for center Scott Gomez, along with Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto. This trade allowed Montreal to acquire perhaps the best centerman available on the market. With the financial flexibility Gainey gave himself, he could easily absorb Gomez's cap hit of around $7.35 mil per year. It was a win-win for both sides. The NY Rangers would free up valuable cap space to make some changes on the team, notably signing star winger Marian Gaborik, and the Habs would acquire a top play-making and Stanley-Cup-winning centerman in 29 yr old Scott Gomez, replacing long-time captain Saku Koivu. It was believed a change of scenery would be best for both the CH and Koivu, allowing both parties to turn the page and get a fresh start. Saku Koivu signed a few days ago in Anaheim, to play with his good friend and fellow countryman Teemu Selanne.

Then came July 1st. GM Bob Gainey was probably the most active on Day 1, signing Mike Cammalleri, Jaroslav Spacek and Brian Gionta.

Following a pt-per-game season, recording 39 goals and 43 assists for 82 pts, Cammalleri, 27, was signed to a 5yr contract worth $30 million. It would seem to be an instance of deja-vu for ex-Hab Alex Tanguay, who has seen Cammalleri replace him after his Calgary departure, and now after leaving Montreal. This 5'9 goal-scoring forward put up some exciting numbers last season, playing alongside Jarome Iginla on Calgary's 1st line. Question is, will he be able to produce similar numbers in Montreal, and, in turn, justify his large contract?

Brian Gionta, 30, a goal-scoring right-winger of fairly small stature, being 5'7, is reunited with Gomez, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2003 with the Devils and recorded a career season in 2006, notching a whopping 48 goals and 41 assists. Gainey must have had him on his radar immediately after acquiring Scott Gomez. With new arrivals comes the question of team chemistry, and reuniting old Stanley-Cup-winnning teammates is never a bad idea. Gionta was signed to a 5yr-$25million contract. After average, perhaps even below-average seasons to their standards, both Gomez and Gionta have something to prove and must be looking forward to getting back on the ice together and repeat the successes they experienced with the New Jersey Devils. I wouldn't be suprised to see them emerge as a dominating dynamic duo.

The departure of Mike Komisarek (signing with Toronto) was a huge blow to the Canadiens not only on the ice, but also in the dressing room. Number 8 was a great leader and teammate, loved by both the fans and the players. Fortunately, Gainey was successful in signing to a three-year contract worth $11.5 million, Jaroslav Spacek, 35, an experienced defenseman who fills most of the void left by Komisarek. He is steady defensively with an important offensive upside, and is said to be a fantastic teammate and leader. He will be a comforting presence on the blue line and a great addition to the powerplay, seeing as he possesses a canon of a slapshot.

Those expensive but necessary signings consequently replaced top ex-Habs Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev and Tanguay. Roughly a week later, GM Bob Gainey adressed the need for size and grit by signing to 1yr deals defensemen Hal Gill, 34 and 6'7, of the Stanley Cup-winning Penguins, 29 yr old Paul Mara, 6'4, and 6'2 forward Travis Moen, who played a major role in Anaheim's Stanley Cup win a few years ago. Those are good signings that add some necessary size and muscle to a relatively small team. Jacques Martin will have a good group of experienced defensemen next year, with the likes of Markov, Hamrlik, Spacek, Mara, Gill, Gorges and perhaps some space for youngsters Weber, O'Byrne, Subban, Carle, depending on their training camp performances. Up front, a fast, balanced attack with a good mix of speed, size and skill. Left wingers Andrei Kostitsyn, Guillaume Latendresse and Mac Pacioretty, all over 6'0 ft, will provide size and offense to the first three forward lines.

Here's a preview of what next year's team could look like:

A. Kostitsyn-Gomez-Gionta
Pacioretty-Plekanec-Cammalleri
Latendresse-Lapierre-S.Kostitsyn
Moen-Metropolit-Laraque
extras: D'Agostini, Stewart

Markov-Spacek
Hamrlik- Mara
Gorges-Gill
extras: O'Byrne, Weber

Price
Halak

It'll be an interesting training camp! And hopefully an exciting and successful year. Go Habs Go!

Lecavalier in Red, White, Blue?

Definitely a growing possibility! He's been rumored in trades involving Montreal since the trade deadline, and those rumors are intensifying as the NHL draft approaches, and the closer we get to the July 1st deadline. On the 1st, Lecavalier's 11 yr- $85 million contract signed last year kicks in, along with a "no-trade" clause.



As of today, it seems likely that the Tampa Bay captain will be traded before July 1st; perhaps as soon as Draft day (in Montreal).

There has been conflict in Tampa's ownership, as owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie seem to diverge in terms of vision, and how the team should be handled in preparation for next year, and the following years.

Koules would like to see the team's salary cap at around $40million next year, and would therefore attempt to trade Lecavalier's contract ($7.72mil avg. cap hit) before the no-movement clause kicks in. His partner, Barrie, would rather see the organization keep Lecavalier, rebuild around him, and spend around $50million in salary next season. The Tampa Bay Lightning's financial difficulties are of no surprise, due to today's economic recession and rather small fan base in a non-hockey market.

Today, a meeting was scheduled between NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the Lightning's two owners, with the purpose of determining who is in charge of hockey operations. Bettman decided that Koules would retain his status of president and governor inside his organization, while Barrie's right to talk to player agents and other NHL GMs was reportedly removed. However, Barrie still retains his right to veto any transaction approved by current GM Brian Lawton.

With these latest developments, the situation regarding Lecavalier is sparking rumors once again that Tampa Bay might move their franchise player to shed some salary (Vinny is due a whopping $10mil next year, as well as the five years after that) and get a very interesting return, helping 'fastforward' the necessary rebuild with the team.

The team, sitting at #2 in Friday's draft in Montreal, will either draft goal-scoring forward John Tavares or 6'5 'Pronger-like' defenseman Victor Hedman. It might be time for Tampa to rebuild with young talent (Stamkos taken #1 overall last year, and this year's #2), and ride the waves for a few years, while those waves become a storm for teams spending around the salary cap. The cap is predicted to go down gradually in the next few years, drastically impacting all 30 NHL teams.

However, one team that is in pretty good position with a lot of financial flexibility, would be the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, with 10 unrestricted free agents to be re-signed, has the luxury, and $, to bring about much-needed change and build the team they want for next year. GM Bob Gainey will have the most money available to spend this summer, and it isn't far-fetched at all to think he is seriously looking to acquire center Vincent Lecavalier, the Quebec-raised NHL star and big center that has been lacking on the CH team for years now. Even President Pierre Boivin stated publicly he's committed to bringing home a French superstar.

But at what price? Rumors are swirling the name of Markov around, seeing as Tampa Bay would like to acquire, and are probably demanding, an elite defenseman in return for their captain. We know Bob Gainey isn't really the type to pull the trigger on such trades. Would he be willing to part with his Norris-trophy finalist in Andrei Markov? It's a touch call, especially with the looming possibility that Komisarek will walk and sign a contract elsewhere. Perhaps Gainey can persuade Lawton and Lightning ownership to accept defensive prospects Subban or McDonagh instead in a package deal. This would give Tampa Bay every tool to rebuild around young players with the potential to become elite players in the game (Stamkos, Tavares/Hedman, Subban/McDonagh/Pacioretty/D'Agostini/Kostitsyns?, etc)... and with cheap rookie salaries for the next few years.

Of course, Montreal isn't the only team interested in Lecavalier's services. But it seems evident Gainey, along with new Molson ownership, are making Lecavalier one of their top priorities, heading into the draft. Gainey hasn't signed a single free agent as of today, and it seems he is waiting to see what will happen this friday at the Draft, before investing his money in his free agents. It should also be noted that Vinny has repeatedly stated that the Lightning organization has vowed to include him in any trade talk, and one could think he'd make it known that his preferred destination would be his hometown, Montreal. Lecavalier signed a long-term deal with them last year, with the intent of ending his career with the team he won a Stanley Cup with. If that very team regrettably decides he does not fit into their plans for the future, at the very least they owe him the right to decide where he would like to go for the next 11 years.

With all that said, it suddenly doesn't seem as crazy to imagine Vincent Lecavalier with the Canadiens. Yes, there are a lot of "if"s. If Gainey is willing to part with top talent, if Lightning GM and ownership decide that they cannot afford Lecavalier's monster contract, if other teams don't offer a better deal, if, if, if. One thing is for sure, though, the stars are certainly aligning in such a way that makes it plausible to see Vincent in Montreal... as early as this Friday, during the NHL Draft.

Gary Bettman: "I have a trade to announce. The Tampa Bay Lightning have decided to trade..."

(Hold your breath for just three more days... I know I am)