Régis Labeaume and the return of the Nordiques: Gary Bettman, he’s a “full of shit”

Dose
Crédit: Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

In November, Gary Bettman was at the Bell Centre in Montreal for the start of the partnership between the NHL and Amazon in Canada.

On the occasion, Alain Crête interviewed the NHL commissioner on television (RDS) and it got people talking for a particular reason.

During the interview, Gary Bettman said he had never received a concrete offer from someone to bring a team back to Quebec. He stated that no one had come forward with a plan and done what was necessary to bring the NHL back there.

Former Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume responded to these comments today during an appearance on FM-93.

And he did not hesitate to say… this:

Bettman, he’s “full of shit”. That’s not how it works with Gary Bettman. It’s settled over the phone and he sends you the contract when there’s an agreement. – Régis Labeaume

Right…

The city of Quebec – it’s worth remembering – submitted its application in 2015 for an expansion franchise, which was ultimately given to Vegas.

10 million dollars had to be spent to be part of the process.

Régis Labeaume’s reaction is therefore understandable since he was still the mayor of Quebec at the time.

Mr. Labeaume believes that the “promoters were right to hope for the return” of an NHL franchise to Quebec, but that it’s become a bit ridiculous with the new price of concessions that come with expansion.

Of course, we know that Gary Bettman never really wanted to bring a team back to Quebec because of its market.

The commissioner and his assistant have their eyes on the big markets in the United States… because they are more profitable.

And that’s unlikely to change as long as he’s in office.

Overtime

– Oliver Kapanen will be patient.

– Win tonight. 4-3!

– It’s going well for Cam Fowler since his arrival in St. Louis.

– It’s well-deserved.