The 33rd team: A Nordiques Franchise (NHL 22)

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After almost 30 years, Quebec City will see the return of professional hockey.

A surprise move by the league, likely motivated by massive losses due to Covid, an announcement was made that will see the Nordiques join the league as the 33rd expansion team.

Rarely a man who makes snap decisions, NHL commisioner Gary Bettman surprised many in attendance at today's league wide owners meeting, but a unnanimous vote has allowed Quebec City to join to league through the expansion process.

The team will hold an expansion draft within the next couple of weeks, followed by a minor league draft, where they'll be able to sign up to 10 young prospects that aren't protected by their franchises.

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Difficulty: All-Star
Period Length: 6 Minutes
Sliders: AlTito's with a few changes based on my own gameplay
Roster: Shanster and alkostopolus Present: True Depth Roster 22 for PS4

Expansion draft house rules:
-Can't pick anyone signed this past offseason.
-Can't pick any players under 23 years old.
-Any players that would have likely have been protected over other players (ie. Sergachev) will not be chosen.

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Nordiques announce Kantor as head coach

Rookie head coach Cody Kantor has been hired to lead the Quebec Nordiques into the 2021/22 season.

Kantor, a surprise hire, was the assistant coach for the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers this past season. With a reshuffling of minor league affiliates in the Maple Leafs organization, Kantor and the entire coaching staff in NFLD were replaced.

Not much is known about him, but in a short interview he made clear that he prioritizes structured defence in his own end, but encourages creativity offensively.

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Expansion draft results:
ANA: Rickard Rakell
ARI: Viktor Soderstrom
BOS: Jake Debrusk
BUF: Zemgus Girgensons
CGY: Sean Monahan
CAR: Jesper Fast
CHI: Sam Lafferty
COL: Sam Girard
CBJ: Gustav Nyquist
DAL: John Klingberg
DET: Givanni Smith
EDM: Slater Koekkoek
FLA: Patrik Hornqvist
LAK: Blake Lizotte
MIN: Kappo Kahkonen
MTL: Jonathan Drouin
NSH: Connor Ingram
NJ: PK Subban
NYI: Kieffer Bellows
NYR: Alexandar Georgiev
OTT: Austin Watson
PHI: German Rubstov
PIT: Alex Nylander
SJ: Radim Simek
STL: Rob Bortuzzo
TB: Mathieu Joseph
TOR: Travis Dermott
VAN: Guillaum Brisbebois
VGK: Nick Hague (To leave Reilly Smith)
WSH: Lars Eller
WPJ: Logan Stanley

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Nordiques swing blockbuster with Bruins, 3 way with Yotes & Oilers

BOS: Jeremy Swayman, 2022 2nd round pick, 2021 1st round pick (22 OA).
QUE: John Klingberg, Travis Dermott, Lars Eller, 2021 3rd round pick (69 OA)

Future division rivals Quebec City and Boston made a pre-draft trade that solidifies the Bruins lineup for the upcoming season, and adds to the Nordiques currently non-existent farm system.

After a strong professional start, Swayman was pushed to a 3rd string role with the Bruins, after seeing the signings of Linus Ullmark, and Tuukka Rask. With a 2 way contract, he was likely to spend the year in Providence (AHL), but Quebec struck early, sending out a massive package.

To EDM: Georgiev
To ARI: Koskinen (50% retained by Quebec), 2022 4th (QUE)
To QUE: 2022 2nd (EDM), Josef Korenar

In a move made to create the cap space required to sign Evander Kane, the Edmonton Oilers shipped out Mikko Koskinen.

The move allows Arizona to upgrade their goaltending, while taking on minimal actual salary commitments.

Quebec, who retained 50%, received the Oilers 2nd round pick in 2022, as well as 23 year old goaltender Josef Korenar. Korenar, who debuted in 2021 with the Sharks, is on a 2 way deal, and looks like he'll be heading to the AHL to start the season, to share the duties with Connor Ingram.

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Nordiques draft Ramsey

With their franchises first ever draft pick, Quebec has picked Easton Ramsey, a 5'11'' American defenceman.

Considered a reach with the 3rd overall pick, head coach Cody Kantor was adament that Ramsey has the potential to be a huge asset as soon as 2022, and could see himself in the lineup during the spring.

Ramsey is committed to the University of Maine for the 2021 season, as he will play his freshman season for the Black Bears.

Other picks:
-LW Manny Meyer (2nd) NCAA
-G Kari Piiroinen (4th) Liiga
-C Jon Percy (5th) USNTDP
-D Vesa Jekimovs (6th) KHL
-LW Matt Boll (7th) USNTDP

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Quebec City announce multiple minor league signings

Nordiques fill out minor league roster

-Kirill Maksimov
-Adam Ginning
-Xavier Simoneau
-Marc Del Gaizo
-Viktor Ejdsell
-Dominik Kahun
-Thomas Gregoire
-Santeri Virtanen
-Giovanni Vallati
-Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson
-Jason Demers (NHL contract)
-Linus Omark
-Alex Gallant
-Brett Gallant
-TJ Tynan

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Nordiques announce opening night lineup

The following is the lineup for Quebec City's opening night game against the Philadelphia Flyers:

Drouin-Monahan-Hornqvist
Nyquist-Lizotte-Rakell
Debrusk-Tynan-Joseph
Watson-Girgensons-Fast

Hague-Girard
Simek-Subban
Koekkoek-Bortuzzo

Swayman
Kahkonen