There are quite a few similarities between that team and this Utah team. The team was in a market (Quebec) with an untenable situation - a combination of ownership and the political climate. They had never really won much as the Nordiques (they did win one WHA title). But thanks to really sucking, their fortunes turned when a potential superstar (Eric Lindros) refused to play for them - they spun it into an opportunity to build the foundation for a Cup.

Denver was a lot like Salt Lake City at the time, hockey-wise. The Nordiques were energized by the new situation (and it didn't hurt that they were loaded with young talent). The Broncos were always the city's passion. But the Rockies were just getting started, and the Nuggets had been bad for a few years. The city was excited to suddenly be a player in the NHL and MLB. Denver hockey fans are still hated by some old-time hockey fans because they didn't "pay their dues" by experiencing a lot of losing. It was crazy. All of a sudden, we have a hockey team. And right away, we have a Stanley Cup. (And then, within the next five years, we finally had a Lombardi Trophy - to this day, one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me 🙂 ).

I'll stay loyal to the Avs. But I'll be rooting for Utah, when they aren't playing us. It's fun to have them here.