Plan For the Next Two NHL Expansion Teams Leaked by Insider
Photo credit: NHL Media
NHL analyst John Shannon recently said he thinks the NHL will soon expand beyond its current 32 clubs to 34 and even potentially more in the next few years.
Traditional NHL fans have been worried about the thought of expansion beyond the current 32 team format could potentially dilute the talent pool of professional hockey, but that isn't stopping talks of further expansion.
NHL analyst John Shannon recently said that he thinks that the NHL will expand beyond its current 32 clubs to 34, and even suggested that it could be as many as 35 teams by throwing in Houston and Phoenix.
I think in the next five years we're gonna be at 34 teams; I suspect we're gonna see Atlanta come in let's say 2028, and then Houston or Phoenix, if Phoenix gets a new arena, in 2030.
But what do the people at the top have to say about it?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made a recent appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' and didn't exactly sound like he was in a hurry for more NHL expansion.
I'm not going to issue an edict that says, if you want an expansion team, file your application by this date. I think the most important things at 10,000 feet in expansion are ownership ... market, arena and what does it do to make the league stronger, improve our footprint?
If somebody can check those four boxes and wants to do a deep dive, then I'll take it to the owners and we'll consider it. I'm not pressuring anybody.
If somebody can check those four boxes and wants to do a deep dive, then I'll take it to the owners and we'll consider it. I'm not pressuring anybody.
NHL fans will have to wait and see what comes next.
Atlanta Set to Get New NHL Team, Arizona Must Compete for Second Spot With Houston
Even though Atlanta has already lost both the Flames and Thrashers, they're reportedly interested in seeing if the 3rd time will be the charm.
The Forsyth County Commission in Atlanta recently approved agreements for a $3-billion project that includes construction of an NHL-ready arena that will be used to try and lure a franchise back to the city for a 3rd time.
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