NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Major announcement on the Coyotes' return as Quebec faces a new challenge

Originally posted on Habs Fanatics | By Elias Adaime | Last updated Jan 8, 2025 4:01 PM ET

We had an unexpected announcement regarding the Arizona Coyotes that impacts the Quebec Nordiques.

Here is the announcement in question, via journalist Craig Morgan:

"Breaking news: The newly elected president of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Tom Galvin, announces the formation of a committee of political and business leaders to bring the NHL back to Arizona. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that he met with Galvin before Christmas via Zoom."

This seems to be the beginning of something quite real.

The return of the Arizona Coyotes in the picture: Another obstacle to the return of the Quebec Nordiques

You can guess that with this big development, the Arizona Coyotes coming back into the picture, in addition to Kansas City, Houston and Atlanta. It feels again like the return of the Quebec Nordiques doesn't seem close to materializing.

Insider Pierre LeBrun seems to practically confirm that Gary Bettman and the NHL would have interest:

"The NHL would like to go back to that market one day, under a different owner and obviously with the arena situation once and for all settled. So, still lots of questions marks. But going back to Arizona is something the NHL would likely do under right circumstances."

This will be a file to follow over the next few months, but as we saw with Utah and Seattle a few years ago, knowing that Gary Bettman has interest, it could move very quickly.

And you, do you think the Arizona Coyotes will return before the Quebec Nordiques?

This article first appeared on Habs Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.

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