David Ettedgui reveals how Quebec City can aspire to a Nordiques comeback

There’s a lot of talk about expansion in the NHL right now. After all, sooner rather than later, it’s going to happen.

Right now, the NHL is down to 32 teams. And according to what David Ettedgui, who relies on his sources as a former agent, revealed to Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez this afternoon, there’s a concrete plan to expand to 36 teams by the end of the decade.

Here’s the link, for those who want to listen.

What we note is that the Coyotes will move to Salt Lake City this year, and then two other cities (he’s talking about Atlanta and Houston) will have their clubs at the same time in 2026. Good luck with the expansion draft.

He believes that the NHL has already decided this and that it’s done for the two most important cities not to have a team. No surprises here.

He goes on to say that the NHL’s plan was to go up to 36 teams by 2029. And from there, four cities would be in the running for the two remaining spots in the process.

Which markets are we talking about?

• Portland
• Kansas City
• Quebec
• Arizona

What you need to know is that Ettedgui repeated what is being said about Arizona: if the current owner of the Coyotes (who is going to sell to Ryan Smith of Utah) manages to build himself an arena by 2029, he’ll have a club.

Gary loves his little Coyotes, we know.