Bettman says Quebec City could end up in the Western Conference

With the expected approval of NHL expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Quebec City, we now turn attention to the continued imbalance between the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Prior to expansion, there were already two more teams in the East.  An ideal geographical scenario would have been Las Vegas and Seattle, creating perfect balance.

Bettman shared this info with the Boston Globe:

One option — which, again, is not optimal, would have Quebec City playing in the West to even out the conferences.

“The answer is that’s something we would obviously have to consider,” Bettman said of putting Quebec City in the Western Conference. “The experience with Winnipeg in the Southeast was less than ideal. The experience over time with Detroit and Columbus in the West — and they’re farther west geographically — they couldn’t wait to get into the East.

“So geography is an issue. But the fact that we identify it as an issue doesn’t mean we’ve reached a conclusion. It means it’s one of the things that has to be considered.”

Now granted, he only says that it would have to be considered.

But it is a horrible idea.  And unlikely to happen.  Detroit and Columbus struggled to travel out West.  Winnipeg was a horrible fit with the Southeast.  And this decision would involve more significant travel than the other three.  Maybe as much as the other three combined.

If there is hockey in Quebec, then they better be playing Montreal as often as possible.  Let’s restore that rivalry.