The world of professional hockey is on the brink of a seismic shift. Whispers of NHL expansion have been swirling for months, with fans and insiders alike speculating about which city will be next to join the league’s elite ranks.

While the official word from Commissioner Gary Bettman and league governors remains carefully guarded, behind-the-scenes developments suggest that a major announcement could be imminent.

But as the anticipation builds, so too does the intrigue—because this time, the stakes are higher than ever before.

Recent revelations have surfaced, hinting at a jaw-dropping price tag for any group hoping to secure one of these coveted new franchises. The number being discussed is unlike anything the league has seen in its storied history, and it’s already sending shockwaves through the hockey community.

What does this mean for legendary cities like Quebec, whose fans have long dreamed of a triumphant return to the NHL? Could the financial demands prove insurmountable, or is there a bold investor ready to rewrite history?

As rumors swirl and the future of the league hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: the next chapter in the NHL’s expansion saga promises to be its most dramatic yet. The full story is one you won’t want to miss.

Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As you know, it’s only a matter of time before the National Hockey League announces a new wave of expansions.

Even though Gary Bettman and the other governors won’t admit it publicly, the appeal of money is likely the main reason why NHL leadership wants to welcome new franchises – and it looks like we have an update on that front.

As reported by the site HABSolumentFan, TSN journalist Chris Johnston appeared on the podcast The Steve Dangle Podcast and revealed the amount investors will need to pay to acquire an NHL franchise.

The Price to Bring the Quebec Nordiques Back Has Just Been Revealed

According to his information and what Gary Bettman is said to have announced behind closed doors, it will cost no less than 2 billion U.S. dollars. Wow!

Let’s just say that’s a far cry from the $500 million Bill Foley paid in 2016-2017 to bring the Vegas Golden Knights into the NHL, and from the $650 million paid by the Seattle group two years later.

We know that the cities of Atlanta and Houston are among the frontrunners, but other U.S. cities have also shown interest.

As for Quebec, there’s no update for now, but the suggested price of $2 billion may cool some interest, as that amount would be around $2.7 billion in Canadian dollars. Ouch.

It’s fair to ask whether any individual or business in Quebec has pockets deep enough to make that kind of investment.

Personally, I’m intrigued by the name Luc Poirier, but we’ll see.