Back in April, Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos responded to low attendance figures and Quebec relocation rumors by stating the following:
“The Hurricanes will not become the Nordiques and I can guarantee it.”
Well Karmanos might not want to make any more guarantees, because he has reportedly decided to put the future of the Hurricanes in Raleigh, NC squarely in the crosshairs. A Montreal radio station has reported that Karmanos wants to get his cash out, even if the Hurricanes leave North Carolina. A lawsuit is currently being settled between he and his three sons which allege that Peter hasn’t paid back or paid interest on a loan which drew out of the sons’ trust fund to finance the Hurricanes. If the settlement is for big money, then no wonder he would start to think about getting out.
With a brand spanking new building waiting in Quebec City, the Hurricanes could very well become Nordiques 2.0. There is also high interest in Seattle, and I’m sure the old Hartford Whaler fans would love a reunion, although chances of that are slim at best. Question then becomes: How hard will Gary Bettman fight to keep a franchise drawing 12,000 in North Carolina (last in the league so far this season at just over 11,000 with under 60% capacity), having seen Winnipeg draw 17,000 a game (at well over 100% capacity) and knowing full well that Quebec fans are starved to have the Nordiques back.
Also, a fun fact: If the Hurricanes do move, they would be the first NHL franchise to move after winning a Stanley Cup. A relocation decision still seems a ways away, but it seems a little closer now than it did before. And I’m sure people in Hartford are getting their schadenfreude ready.
