Beloved Former Hockey Night in Canada Broadcaster Don Cherry Calls out Bettman for Ridiculous Expansion Plans
Don Cherry, even at 90 years old, is among the most revered and beloved people in hockey, and when he talks, fans listen. He has now commented on NHL expansion.
It has been widely reported that the NHL plans to return to Atlanta for the third time upon it's next expansion.
The NHL has failed twice in Atlanta already, the first team being relocated to Calgary, and the second being relocated to Winnipeg.
Despite this, Gary Bettman believes in the large Georgia market; Don Cherry, however, does not.
I remember going there with the Boston Bruins. And we always had fights in there, but I don't, I don't understand it. I don't understand why they're going back to Atlanta."
Cherry, who played one game in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, has much more fond memories of Quebec City, who many believe should earn an expansion franchise over a non-traditional hockey market.
Quebec City has an almost brand-new arena, Centre Videotron, while Atlanta is still in the preliminary planning stages for a complex:
Despite this, Gary Bettman's feelings are known, and he is unlikely to put the legendary Grapes' opinion into consideration.
If a team were to return to Quebec City, likely a revival of the beloved Nordiques brand, it is certain that fans would flock to the arena. That cannot necessarily be said for a new era of Atlanta Thrashers hockey.
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