"He Said What?": NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly Reacts to Senators’ Owner’s Bold Quebec City Comments

Published: Jan 29, 2025, 11:45 AM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 8:04 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
The Videotron Centre in Quebec City

The Videotron Centre in Quebec City (Photo by populous.com)

Ottawa Senators team owner Michael Andlauer raised some eyebrows and seemingly caught the NHL off guard this past Monday.

In a press conference announcing that his team will host two preseason games at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City next September, Andlauer didn’t pull any punches on his feelings about the NHL potentially returning to Quebec City full-time.

“Quebec deserves, in my opinion, an NHL team, but that will not be on my file,” Andlauer told the assembled media.

Andlauer wasn’t done, though, and what he said next surprised NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

“In the future, I hope we can play a few regular-season games in Quebec City,” the Senators owner said.

“If we can play in Sweden, we should be able to play in Quebec City. That's a decision the NHL must make.”

In a phone conversation with RG, Daly didn’t have an issue with Andlauer’s sentiment on a potential return to the city they left for Denver back in 1995 but seemed taken aback at the suggestion of playing regular-season games at the Videotron Centre.

“He said what?” Daly asked when notified of Andlauer’s comments. “Well, I don't have any inside information here; all I read is that there was an announcement that Ottawa would be playing some preseason games in Quebec City.”

After clarifying what the Senators and former minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens said, Daly offered his take on Andlauer’s idea and the potential for a permanent return of NHL hockey to the former home of the Quebec Nordiques.

“So, that was the first I've heard of it, and I think it's the first I've heard of that,” Daly told RG. “We talk to Michael on occasion about potentially playing games in Quebec City, so I don't view the Quebec City news as big news because we played preseason games there in the past, including last September with L.A. and Boston. I mean, it should be newsworthy from a novelty standpoint.”

Daly however didn’t rule anything out, saying that more discussions needed to be have before he and the league could promise anything moving forward.

“Look at the end of the day; it's a beautiful facility, the Videotron Center, and we know they're passionate about hockey there.

It only makes sense if you're looking for places to play preseason games, in particular; that would be a logical location to look at,” said Daly. “Again, I haven't given much thought to whether we think of it as a neutral site for regular season games. I wouldn't rule anything out, but I don't think it's anything that we've given much thought to.”

The main obstacle to bringing NHL hockey permanently back to Quebec City has always been the city's financial infrastructure, but now, combined with the rapidly declining Canadian dollar and the likely $2 billion expansion fee, any return for the NHL to Quebec City seems like a pipe dream.

“There hasn’t been anyone who has stepped up and been willing to pay a $2 Billion expansion fee. Until that happens, it’s a non-starter,” a high-ranking NHL executive source told RG. “Even the government, who in the past has promised they would help finance a new team, has yet to deliver. Until that happens, it’s all pure speculation.”

NHL Reporter

With 24 years of experience (SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, ESPN Boston, NESN, NHL.com, etc.) covering the Bruins, the NHL, NCAA and junior hockey, and more, Jimmy Murphy’s hockey black book is filled with Hall of Famers, current players, coaches, management, scouts and a wide array of hockey media personalities that have lived in and around this great game. For 22 of his 24 years as a hockey and sports reporter, Murphy covered the Bruins on a daily basis, including their victorious 2011 Stanley Cup run and their runs to the 2013 and 2019 Finals. Murphy is currently a co-host, along with Pierre McGuire, on The Eye Test Podcast.

Interests:
NHL

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Hockey
07/12/2025
Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Michkov Is Done With Lacrosse Goals: “One Season Was Enough”

“One season was enough,” says Matvei Michkov on lacrosse goals. The Flyers winger now has one goal: end the playoff drought.

Michkov Is Done With Lacrosse Goals: “One Season Was Enough”
Hockey
07/09/2025
James Murphy
James Murphy
Source: Leafs Among Multiple Teams Interested In Erik Karlsson

According to an NHL source, one defenseman on the Maple Leafs’ trade radar is Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.

Source: Leafs Among Multiple Teams Interested In Erik Karlsson
Hockey
07/09/2025
Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
Kochetkov Reflects On Playoffs, Emotions, And Future With Hurricanes

Hurricanes netminder Pyotr Kochetkov opens up on playoff struggles, personal growth, biohacking routines, and learning from veteran Frederik Andersen.

Kochetkov Reflects On Playoffs, Emotions, And Future With Hurricanes
Hockey
07/08/2025
James Murphy
James Murphy
Source: Devils Listening to Dougie Hamilton Calls But Not Shopping Yet

The Maple Leafs, Stars, Red Wings, and Mammoth are all believed to have looked into Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, but no trade is imminent.

Source: Devils Listening to Dougie Hamilton Calls But Not Shopping Yet
Prev
...
Next

Hockey Writers

Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Senior News Editor

Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.

Meet All Our Experts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.