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Toronto Maple Leafs Next Rivals: 3 Potential Expansion Cities

By Stephen Nixon

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Kasperi Kapanen #24 and Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate after Hyman scored a third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Kasperi Kapanen #24 and Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate after Hyman scored a third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 14: A Quebec Nordiques fan shows his support for their return to the NHL at a game between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on January 14, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 14: A Quebec Nordiques fan shows his support for their return to the NHL at a game between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on January 14, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images) /

#2. Quebec City

There’s probably no city more deserving for an NHL franchise than Quebec City.

Having been in the NHL from 1979-1995, the Nordiques had some of the best jerseys in league history. Not only that, but they’d built up a nice rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens for the years in attendance.

The worst thing about the Nordiques originally leaving town is what happened one year after they left.

After having a solid young core of Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Adam Foote and Mike Ricci, Patrick Roy would get traded to the newly named Colorado Avalanche and the team formerly known as the Quebec Nordiques would win the Stanley Cup in 1996.

That’s a tough pill to swallow if you were a Nordiques fan.

Imagine the Toronto Maple Leafs moved to a new city and they finally won a Stanley Cup with all of the same players you love, but in a new town? That’s gotta hurt.

Ever since the city lost its franchise, it’s been trying to get one back.

Every time the word expansion or relocation comes up, Quebec City’s name is always brought up, but they never seem to truly be in the mix.

A few years ago, Quebec City even invested in a new arena that would be perfect for an NHL team, but for whatever reason the league has yet to make Quebec City a serious contender for a franchise.

For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, another Canadian team in a close proximity would be awesome for road-trips for fans and to create another rival, but until Gary Bettman is done being the Commissioner of the NHL, this may be a pipe-dream.

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