What if...Quebec never moved to Colorado?

Question

The Nordiques were one piece away from being an Eastern Conference monster in 1994-95. Already brimming in talent with the Calder trophy winning Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic entering his prime, a strong defense, Owen Nolan, and solid drafts on the horizon, the Nords were ready to challenge the Pittsburghs, Philadelphias, and New Yorks of the Eastern Conference. Then Marcel Aubut pulled the plug. The erstwhile owner of the Nords sold the team to Denver interests, all but sealing the reality of a move out West.

The question here is, what if the Nords never moved? Would the trades of Sandis Ozolinsh and Claude Lemieux have happened? Furthermore, would the one deal that eventually put the franchise over the top-Patrick Roy (and Mike Keane)- even been remotely possible? In other words, was Quebec the Eastern Conference power that never was?

Answer 1

Yet another great question. I think that if the Nordiques stayed in the East, it might have been even easier for them to win Cups. In the west Detroit was a great dominant team, and if it wasn't for them the Avs would have had another Cup. In the east, no team was as dominant. I think the Nordiques might have done better. However, that's considering Roy getting traded there, which probably would never have happened therefore ruining all the hopes the Nords had.

To whoever said that Roy would've stayed in Montreal if the Nordiques stayed, you are wrong. Roy was real pissed that one game, and the way he said it to the owner, there truly was no chance he was playing for the Habs ever again. He would definitely have left for some other team. Bottom line though, if the Nords stayed, hockey wouldn't have flourished in the state of Colorado, and that would've sucked a lot.

Answer 2

The Nordiques lost $23MM in 1993-94 ($6MM) and 1994-95 ($17MM). The failure of Aubut (a separatist) to get Parizeau to build an arena led to the Nordiques being put on the block and sale to somewhere other than Quebec City inevitable.

Keep in mind that the 'deal' was more Colorado being a benificiary than anything else. The only reason Roy became available were the events in Montreal, although to hear Patrick Roy tell it, they just wanted to run him outr of the city before his next contract came due.

Now, had Aubut not found an owner.....No, Montreal never would have considered Quebec City as a home for Roy.

Answer 3

2eighty8 is right. There is no way that team stays in business in Quebec City. They wouldn't be able to keep the young talent they had and wouldn't have the money to get Roy (No way Montreal lets him go to Quebec either). Sadly they would have gone down the same road at the Montreal Expos and been nothing more than a pro farm team for the rest of the league. Always with young talent because of repeated high draft picks and couldn't afford them once they got good.

Awesome Bill - That would have been one hell of a good rivalry. The NHL could use one like that now.

Answer 4

Quebec had already had a sniff of success duing the Stastny brothers era, so they knew how to handle pressure. Prior to the move to Co. they gained a LOT of talent just from the Lindros trade. This probably added more than the Roy deal on its own but it was definately Roy who put them over the top. I believe its quite safe to assume the Roy deal is a no go if the team remained in Quebec. With Montreal on a down swing, talent wise, and assuming they were going to trade Roy to someone, Quebec definately would of had the provincial faithful on their side. IMO, they still win at least one cup without Roy and in a weaker conference, maybe more.

Answer 5

If they never moved, I think the Nordiques would've been the first modern-day pro sports team to close up shop and fold. The Loonie was getting its butt whupped by the USD so they wouldn't've been able to pay for players like Forsberg or Sakic. They would've had to trade them off for number one picks. As for Roy, I highly doubt that he would've gone to Quebec City (but imagine that!). That's like the Leafs and Sens or Oilers and Flames making a deal. (On a side note, I was very surprised when the Habs traded away Doug Gilmour to the Leafs five, six years ago.)

However, say the Nordiques did make it out of the '90s alive, they would've done much better now. Bush has screwed up his economy so much that the Loonie is now worth $1.04ish USD; practically a 1:1. Cities like Quebec City and Winnipeg can support an NHL team in today's day and age. If they had a decent GM, I think the Nordiques would've been parallel with the Oilers' timeline. They would've had to trade away their top guys (like, Guerin being traded by Edmonton) to relieve some financial stress, and adapting to the new CBA.

Answer 6

I am a HUGE habs fan, and when i heard about Patrick Roy leaving the habs i was devistated. If the Nords never moved then the Patrick Roy trade would have never happened, if they were never moved they would definatley be a force to reckon with today.

Answer 7

Interesting point, I have my doubts the Habs would have sent Roy to Quebec but we'll never know for sure. If Quebec had won the Stanley Cup would the province have voted to separate?

Answer 8

You forget who was the goalie at the time. Fiset was still one of the strongest goalies at that time.. If the Nords would have stayed in Quebec for even one more year they still win it all.

I hated that move anyway. It took away my Grizzlies from Denver and made them move to Utah.

Answer 9

I don't think there is ANY way Montreal would have traded Roy to provincial rivals Quebec. And you are right about that -they were already strong but the Roy trade was the one that put them over the top.

Answer 10

The Habs would never, ever let Roy go to the Nords.