Hamilton checks more boxes than Quebec City does. Household incomes are higher, the media market/catchment area has way more people, and more large corporations are headquartered nearby. Hamilton is better equipped to be the next Canadian NHL market and would be much more resistant to downturn.
However, last 2 months have absolutely thrown the prospect of any more teams in Canada down the toilet. Tariff conflicts are going to cause real economic pain which is bad for gate-driven leagues like the NHL. US markets are also way bigger, way stronger economically, and will suffer less than we will. League executives and owners have also recently highlighted that they have concerns for Canadian markets under a trade war recession. As much as it pains me to say, serious US candidates like Houston, Atlanta, San Diego, Austin, Portland, and Sacramento, in addition to potential dark horse candidates like Phoenix (lol), Orlando, San Antonio, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, all could likely present a much better business case than Hamilton or Quebec City.
The Hamilton arena, even with upgrades, won’t meet NHL standards. The upgrades will certainly get it to a better place that would require less investment later down the line if OVG wanted to make it NHL ready, but it is ultimately additional investment that would have to be made.
