“Salt Lake City is in the Southern US.” Tell me you’re Canadian without telling me you’re Canadian.

Quebec City is my favorite city in northwestern Canada

As someone that lived in SLC and can actually speak on the matter - Utah has a phenomenal sports culture. Utah Football has sold out every single home game of 50,000+ for 83 games straight and is one of the loudest/hardest stadiums for away teams. BYU lead the Big 12 in attendance. The Jazz have sold out 282 straight games even after trading away their core 2 seasons ago to rebuild. The new arena already has approval and will be help host the WINTER olympics. The ECHL Grizzlies also have great attendance numbers and host a rowdy & passionate crowd like all Utah teams do. The SLC-Provo-Ogden area population is 2.7 million that will help grow the game if given a team. I see 0 reasons as to why an NHL team won't find success in Utah.

Utah is not in the “Southern US.”

When did Utah move south?

American Markets > Canadian Markets American Geography Education > Canadian Geography Education

Utah is not in the southern US, literally just look at a map

Salt Lake City is further North than NYC. 🤔

Canadian teams always face two huge challenges: Exchange rate and small population compared to USA. Canadians love their hockey teams, we know that for sure. NHL can put a team in Halifax and it will sell out night after night. The problem? Once the attendance drops, the team will instantly face huge losses and struggle to stay afloat; just ask Winnipeg, Quebec City and Ottawa. NHL is a business, and sadly, US markets hold insurmountable advantages over Canada. Nothing personal, it's just business.

As an American, I don't think we consider Salt Lake City as Southern US. We consider it "The Mountains" or Northwest. Either way, I think Salt Lake City could be an interesting relocation for the Coyotes and I believe Canada will probably get an expansion team soon anyways

Didn’t Salt Lake City host the Winter Olympics one year? They’re a cold state weather wise so they have hockey potential by default

Bettman hates canada.....he needs to go

I’d love to see another Canadian team but in this economy that Trudeau has destroyed it makes less sense than ever

Salt Lake City is more northerly than Denver Colorado.

Give me a break! Comparing SLC with Des Moines! Saying Utah is not a sports haven is ignorant! Does Quebec City host world class events in winter sports every year? Curling championships, maybe? Utah is one of the fastest growing states with a number one economy. We have 2 billion set aside for hockey and MLB. The Olympics are coming back too.

I live in Alabama, and I am tired of the NHL not putting a team in Quebec. To be fair, Utah is an untapped market and they can "grow the game" but I am tired of a city that is NHL ready, has a legitimate NHL past, and has a rabid fan base not being considered because it won't draw new fans or whatever.

Bryan is a Leaf fan, not a hockey fan. A few weeks ago he was calling Slafkovsky a bust because he never sees the kid play.

Salt Lake City also has had an ECHL team for decades. They are averaging more than 6000 fans per game this year. Hayes only knows about the GTA, and even then it is a stretch.

Canada’s school systems are lacking if your producer, on air talent and guest don’t know that Utah isn’t in the south

Salt Lake City's metro area (1.3 million) is double the size of Quebec City's. And does it really make sense to move a Western Conference team to Quebec and not the booming western city? Does it make sense to ignore the billionaire owner with the checkbook out who already owns a team that's selling out games consistently? Ignore the fact the state of Utah has $900 million of government money earmarked for a new arena? Nah, it's just big meanie Bettman ignoring you! Poor victim!

everything down from Canada is southern US imo

“Canadians always support The NHL.” Is that why Winnipeg is having trouble selling out an undersized arena, while the team is having one of its best seasons in their history?

Bettman doesn’t want to spoil us as Canadians! We are the true fans ❤ I so hope a Canadian Team wins the Stanley Cup and slap 👋 to you know who!

Quebec city has a population of 600k, and not growing significantly. I understand why the NHL wouldn't go there

When $ 1.00 US buys $ 1.36 Canadian -- (as now) you can see the problem. Canadian dollar is trading at 30 % less, and players are paid in US dollars. Very, very tough situation, for a smaller Canadian City. If the currencies were on par, or equal, the deal is makeable. Add to this, that a franchise costs are $ 750 million dollars, "US" dollars, so add + 30 % to that = $ 1 billion dollars. Do you think Quebec City with a population of 700,000 can afford that ?? If the Canadian dollar rises to equal that of the US dollar, like it was about 8 years ago, then the deal could make sense $$$.

taxes bro, taxes..

If we set aside the “canada or us” for location debate, and focus on potential revenue growth, Southern Ontario has to be considered. It’s crazy that we haven’t put a second team in the Greater Toronto Area. Markham, Brampton, Hamilton, or the Waterloo region all could carry a franchise.. Hell, you could put a team in all 4 of these areas (together) and they would all sell out. NY has 2 LA has 2 What’s the hold up Bettman 🤷

Make it two teams in the US when the Yotes owner claims the expansion franchise it is promised...within 5yrs.

Hayes is striking out all over the place. First of all, Salt Lake City isn't southern at all. And it's rapidly growing, unlike Quebec City. And he doesn't even mention they have supported the MLS team for years. And Smith already said he's willing to make upgrades to the Delta Center to host hockey.

Salt Lake City is a 9 hour drive from Canada 🤣🤣🤣. And the NHL is trying to increase viewers in the American market, which this move will do.

You guys seriously dropped the ball on this and you should delete this ASAP 🤣

Everyone that’s ragging on the geography… have you ever talked to an American about Canadian geography? 😂

My US geography is pretty dodgy but I'm pretty sure that Utah isn't in the south.

It is a hybrid of relocation/expansion cause the NHL os buying the team amd laundering it to the Utah owner....for a 200 million dollar profit. And the Yotes owner will make.enough on thw sale to buy an expansion franchise within 5 yrs. So, it is an expansion, in a way.

NHL not expanding in Canada because No major corporate sponsors in quebec city, saskatoon, regina, or kamloops.

SLC literally has twice the metro area QC does. Not to mention the strength of US dollar vs. The canadian doll.

SLC, hasn't had any other sport history outside the Jazz? does this guy live under a rock, Olympics in 2002, and is the top location for an Olympics in 2030 or 2034, hope he does this for free because if he's getting paid for this, he's ripping TSN off! SLC/Utah is growing city/state, and growing fast, keep crying! Smith and his group are bringing in young blood to the ownership something this league needs, he is motivated and I think when the players meet him and converse they will see this is a breathe of fresh air, and will find opportunities to give these players a chance to win

Salt Lake City is as far north as Ohio and Ohio is usually considered north.

Utah in south ....wtf

As a Canadian/American I understand that Americans are generally uneducated about Canadian geography. But do you have to return the favour? Salt Lake City is in the Rocky Mountains and is, in fact, further north than Denver. It is nowhere close to being a southern city and in fact, has hosted the Winter Olympics, because it is a winter sports mecca. Meanwhile the TV market in Salt Lake is 1.15 million households. Des Moines is 472,310. Sioux Falls is 276,580. I understand this is supposed to be a "hot take." But does it have to be so stupid?

I am in the U.S. and I cant stand these southern U.S. teams, I would love to see more Canadian teams, I miss the days of the Quebec Nordiques, it would be great if Coyotes moved to Canada instead

It snows in SLC. The 2002 Winter Olympics were in SLC, and they’re likely to host another future Olympics. It’s not a “southern US state”

I dont know why this is hard for Canadians to understand, the NHL is all about the money... Their is absolutely no new money they can make in any canadian market... Those fans already exist and thats just the cold hard facts!

"they will always support the nhl" brosephine...winnipeg, like a month ago, talked about moving lmao.

I started losing interest in the NHL 2-3 years ago...No Canadian team has won a cup in 30 years so why watch if you don't stand a chance? Seriously, I went from watching up until 2021 75-82 Leafs games per season plus maybe 30-40 other Canadian team games down to 15-20 Leafs games per season and maybe 2-3 other Canadian team games. I'm cancelling my cable package probably for good after this post season, the only reason why I ever had cable was for NHL hockey....now my interest is going right out the window.

Houston, Hamilton, Quebec, 2nd team in Toronto and Atlanta AND AND AND..... a television contract that makes sense and that fans can find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a Canadian from the prairie, I can understand why the NHL is not bringing another team to Canada….the point is to grow the game and there is no need to grow the game in Canada, also a second team is Toronto is absolutely ridiculous… Oh and Brian…. if you’re so confident in attendance in Canada, then why is Winnipeg having problems getting decent crowds with a solid team? Quebec would have sellouts for two years and then if the team sucked they would cast it aside just like the Nordiques

I'M A DIE HARD KINGS FAN BUT WOULD EXPAND TO CANADA. BRING BACK QUEBEC NORIQUES, HAMILTON TIGERS OR HAMMERS, WINDSOR AVIATORS, HALIFAX LIONS, SASKATOON CARIBOU, AND VICTORIA VOYAGERS.

Id love to Que City get a team back and have one on the east coast.

People are forgetting the expansion draft if held in Quebec would even the field. This isnt the 90s. But does it draw new fans. Small new generation at most. So many factors

I could literally think of over 20 markets in Canada that deserve an NHL franchise before Quebec City.

Saskatoon Blades that is all

As someone who want the return of the Quebec Nordiques. It makes no sense for the coyotes to move to Quebec since it will make the league 22 east vs 20 west.

I read somehwere that Winnipeg is having a difficult time ?

I think if the Yotes moved to Quebec City it might cause some extra disruption. They would (I'm guessing) become part of the Atlantic division & force (I'm guessing) Detroit into the Central division. As a fan it would be fun to see more chances for Montreal/Quebec & Chicago/Detroit to murder each other, but I'm not sure if the Redwings would want to move to the Central division because of perceived increase in travel time central division teams. Also, my understanding is that Gary wants to make the NHL into a league on par with the other big three, and in order to do that he needs to expand into new markets, not established markets. I would personally love to see Quebec City get the Nordiques back, but I don't think it would really expand the brand.

Good luck selling hockey out there Bettman. The population of Salt Lake City is 204k., I live in the town of Oakville Ontario which has more people than that.

Wait, Canada has cities? Do players want to play in Canada?

You will need major American markets in expansion to support bringing in smaller Canadian ones. Expand to 36 teams. Salt Lake City, Houston, Atlanta and Quebec.

Coyotes had to stay somewhere out west to keep the conferences balanced. Red Wings and Blue Jackets are never moving back.

I understand what Bryan Hayes is saying and I would love to see the rebirth of the Quebec Nordiques. However, moving the Coyotes to Quebec City is not practical as it would solve one problem and create another: realignment. The NHL does not want to have to deal with realignment again. What Eastern Conference team moves to the Western Conference in order for both conferences to be balanced? Detroit? Columbus? Or does Quebec City take Arizona's place in the Central Division.

He sure is Jealous of a city he obviously knows absolutely zero about.

Hey Bro does Quebeq city have a billion us ready to go?

Salt Lake City is north of the great southern U.S. market of........Denver, Colorado.

I'm a Canes fan. Quebec hockey fans were such jerks to us when our attendance was struggling. I am loving the NHL in 2024! Canes are thriving and Quebec once again gets passed over for expansion/relocation, ha ha ha!!

Quebec City should have, and deserve a team. But the NHL would never relocate a western team to a eastern market when the conferences have 16 teams each and exactly half of them makes the playoffs.

If the NBA had ten teams in Canada, and only six in the U.S. They would say the US is too familiar with Canada.

Bettman is moving the entire city to the southern US. Now we need new maps.😢

Quebec City deserves the NHL. However, it's all about population, and the regional economy. I'd have liked to see Onrait compare the two. QC has a metro population of 840,000 . SLC is 1,200,000. SLC has a much more diversified economy and more tech. Why was the NHL in the infernally hot, dry Arizona desert in the first place? Phoenix is a boom town. QC is a beautiful, charming, historic place. But it is very old, and tired. SLC has grown from the foundation of the church to thriving metropolis. However, I don't know if hockey is a good bet for SLC. The ABA Utah Stars came to SLC because of the legacy of Mormon Ward Ball. Also, they do softball. Minor league baseball has been popular there. Hockey is just something to fill dates at the Jazz building. There's scant connection of the community to hockey. Baseball is a better bet.

QUEBEC QUEBEC QUEBEC this is what makes the NHL so SAD 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

I remember hearing or reading a story several years ago about why Quebec isn't getting a team again. Not anytime soon anyway. Apparently the owner has said some nasty things in the past and has had a long history of trouble with the Molson family, who own the Canadiens. That Canadiens owner is on the Board of Governors for the NHL, and the Hockey Hall of Fame Board, as well as several others. There's no chance he wants Quebec in the league. On top of all of that, Quebec would be cutting into the Canadiens revenue and Molson definitely does not want that But I strongly dislike Bettman as much as most. So maybe he IS actually the one to blame

Canada make sure and fill the building in Winnipeg before complaining. They have a great product and it doesn’t matter.

Bettman - Focus on Southern Markets & ignores hockey communities. Also Bettman “Why does everyone keep booing me?”

Bettman needs to go. The NHL isn't his to do what he pleases. Someone else needs to step in and remove that corrupted bastard.

Every year they make the same argument even though they know exactly why it won’t happen. Stop beating the dead horse, please.

It's all about media markets - of which Canada, the population size of California, has only a few major ones. More than half the franchises are worth less than a billion (USD). SLC is a growing metro (1,257,936 pop) in a winter sports mecca ... Metro Quebec City has 800,296. There are five Fortune 500 companies surrounding SLC. No contest, sorry. Tampa Bay is an attendance beast and one of the most valuable franchises - along with the Kings. We can always split the league - like the NFL and CFL. Let's see where the $$$ talent wants to go play.

At least it's not a f*cking desert! 🙄

Atlanta? Again?! Really? Bring back the Nordiques. I’m a Yank.

To all those thinking any small Canadian market could support an NHL team…. Understand there’s a reason why neither Tuscaloosa, AL or Athens, GA don’t have NFL teams. Now apply the same logic.

Dude, this guy is obviously so salty Quebec is overlooked. First of all, Salt Lake's metro is almost double Quebec City's at 1.4M and America overall has much bigger cities so even though SLC is a medium size city in the US, it would be considered a major one in Canada. Also, Salt Lake is the northern US.

Yee haw partner. Let’s load us up some beer in our tailgates and go on down and watch some HOCKEY. Your darn tooting right. Come on billy bob let’s go

Bettman really hates the idea of hockey being associated with Canada. The fact that Canada gives the NHL less players makes him really happy. And he doesn't care that most of the American NHL teams make little money. None of them are great markets and they bring little revenues.

Don’t blame him. Who wants to deal with Quebec?

all those saying Utah isn't south.... compared to Canada, it is!!! hahahahah

Ownership of professional sports teams in the last quarter century, has been about real estate ventures, not the love of the sport. Isn't it just convenient for Bettman that a dude has got the money for an NHL team in Salt Lake, and that they have plans to finalize a new rink in time for the Olympics. Life is all about timing.

Atlanta’s population since the Nordiques left Quebec City has grown by more than a 3 million. Quebec City presently only has 850k and in 1995 the city had only 667k. Atlanta now has 6.2 million plus a higher average income making Atlanta 8 times larger market. Winnipeg is the same size as Quebec City and presently has 2,500 empty seats per game in the smallest arena in the NHL after the Mullet Arena. Plus their is no owner willing to pay 1 billion dollar expansion fee and the 100 million/year salary cap plus employee required for an NHL team and think a profit can be made in Quebec City long term.

It's all about cash. The game no longer matters...

The reason Bettman focuses on the "Southern US" (Utah apparently teleported) is the revenue potentially is significantly higher. I also think Legault constant language war pretty much kills any interest the NHL would have in Quebec City.

I think Halifax is a great candidate. If you disagree, listen to the fans there at the world juniors with Bedard on the team.

As a Canadian hockey fan I can't stand the complaining about Canadian cities getting overlooked. Salt Lake City has a metro population of roughly 1.2 million, it has money, and some of the best demographics. I think it will work very well as a NHL city. Canadian hockey fans need to accept that their are factors that make Canadian locations unrealistic. The 1.3 Billion that Salt lake is going to pay would be nearly 1.8 Billion Canadian. Hamilton is too small and does not have the corporate sponsorships or ownership, same with Halifax. Quebec City has a Metro population of about 800k and is much more French than Montreal. No free agents would ever sign there. They don't have a solid enough ownership group either. Then there is the second team in Toronto (Markham). Again, I dont think the NHL is interested in having another team in Toronto. They want to attract new fans and new markets. It would likely be stopped by the Leafs and it just does not make sense. Canada has a lot more taxes than the states and its much harder for teams to survive in Canada. I would love to see a team in Quebec City, and I am not completely ruling it out, but Salt Lake City makes far more sense than any Canadian city.

Quebec city will get a team by 2030

Canada is poor as fuck. Lots more money to be made in the US. Winnipeg is bleeding money. Quebec doesn't have $$$. Hayes is just looking to generate clicks. He's smarter than this.

“Canadians support the NHL” Look at Winnipeg pal. Going to a city that’s even smaller than Wpg will really work out in a decade when the hype wears off, grow up.

Ummmm Salt Lake isn't a part of the South...

Look let's be real, TSN guys don't care about Quebec anyway... And the Habs organization don't want another Quebec team

The business potential for another southern state team outweigh Quebec or any Canadian market. The goal for the league is turn the populace into hockey fans, combine with a big market like Atlanta or Houston and the reward is hard to resist. After the success of Las Vegas and Seattle I’m not surprise the league is overlooking Quebec.

Like calling Winnipeg Central Canada. Just looking at a map and not knowing anything about the country, or more to the point pretending not to. 'The real fans are in Canada' give me a fucking break.

Quebec City will never get an NHL team unless a team needs to relocation right away in the Eastern Conference. Also the NHL gets more American TV money for more American franchises. It’s the new reality. I miss the Nordiques and want them back. I just don’t see it happening.

As a Canadian yeah, i wish Hayes did a little research before having those full condidence takes and spewing. But he wasnt totally wrong about the background , just bias

maybe one team in U.S. and one team in Canada?

CANADA NEEDS TO FIX ITS ECONOMY IF THEY WANT A NEW NHL TEAM. like cmon fellas....