I can understand the reasoning back then. French Canadians, or Canadiens, many couldn't speak English, and all had such a strong cultural attachment to Quebec. With only six teams, so what if they got dibs on Quebec born players? There was all of NA and Europe to glean other players.
But so many great players came out of Quebec in those days that it turned out to be a huuuuuge advantage. Their Cup runs proved that.
Still.....in Bettmans greed to temp Las Vegas to adopt the NHL as its first major league sports team, the pot was sweetened to the point of can't lose. Other teams only could protect 11 players. Down from 2000 when the Blue Jackets and the Wild came in, and it was 15. Even 4 players more taken off the protected list is a huge advantage. And the rules were so loose that those kinds of backroom deals to protect certain players was allowed. It wasn't a few more Quebec born prospects every year advantage, it was gleaning players from 30 other teams, or what they could extort for not taking the preferred one. Guaranteed draft position for years.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-hands-knights-a-golden-opportunity-402569645.html
On top of that, the Knights will also get an exclusive head start on NHL free agency next summer and a very favourable draft position — the Knights will draft no worse than sixth overall and have the same chance at the first overall pick next summer as the third worst team in the league this season. Plus, the Knights are guaranteed the third pick in every draft round after the first.
I'm just a bitter Canucks fan. Don't mind me. A team that has struggled to win the Cup since 1970. Been to the Final round 3 times, but never won. If we have to suffer for 50 years, not reaching that first SCF until the 80's, surely Vegas fans should suffer at least for a few years.
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