The issue of possible expansion in the National Hockey League (NHL) is causing a lot of discussion among observers and fans, but we must not forget that the players also have their opinion on this subject.
In this regard, the media The Athletic carried out a survey among skaters on the Bettman circuit and they would prefer to see training in Houston rather than in Quebec. In fact, the Texan city received 54 votes, compared to 47 for the Quebecois.
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“Houston,” one player said. It’s the fourth largest city in the United States and they still don’t have a city. We cannot go to a Canadian market now, especially not with the situation of the Canadian dollar. You can’t go to Quebec. The Canadian dollar is crap. The Winnipeg Jets should be relocated.”
“Let’s get out of Canada, we need income,” said another athlete surveyed. Houston. There are five million people. Quebec is a superb city. But I don’t think it’s big enough for an NHL club.”
What’s more, of the 159 players who voted, 80.5% would like to see a 34-team league. The reasons stated? There would be more work, but above all more money.
No more transparency
Also, the players are opposed to the circuit being more transparent in terms of injuries, since there is in particular the fear that players who suffer an injury will be targeted by their opponents.
“If you know a guy has a bad knee, it’s not hard for the other team to give that knee a few extra hits and damage it a little more.”
Finally, 98.1% of the 156 players surveyed would like to see Alexander Ovechkin beat Wayne Gretzky’s goals record. The first city is only 27 goals away from breaking the record of the former Edmonton Oilers.
