Two American cities reportedly become front runners to land newest NHL expansion franchises
NHL expansion has taken place twice in the last seven years, and now, according to a top source, we could be looking at not one but two more teams very soon.
The Utah Hockey Club officially became the NHL's 32nd team this off-season when the Arizona Coyotes were relocated, but just three years after the introduction of the Seattle Kraken, we may soon be facing team No. 33. That is according to NHL player agent Allan Walsh at least, who says that the money that expansion brings the NHL will keep them pushing for more, with teams 33 and 34 coming sooner, rather than later.
«It's not a question of 'If?', it's a question of 'When?' for the next NHL expansion process, and we will reach 34 teams. I predict that the price to pay for each of the two new franchises will be $1.5 billion for the franchise purchase, more than double what Seattle had to pay in 2021.»
- Allan Walsh
- Allan Walsh
This comes as no surprise given the amount of cities that were in the running to receive the relocating Arizona Coyotes, with Walsh believing that the two favourites to join the NHL next are the cities of Atlanta and Houston. This would be a major blow for the Canadian market, as there have long been calls for a second team in Toronto, as well as a return of the Quebec Nordiques in Quebec City, which don't seem to be a priority for Gary Bettman.
Ultimately, there's still plenty that could change between now and official bidding beginning for the NHL's next team, but at this point, the NHL appear intent on having a second team in Texas, as well as returning to Atlanta for the third time after the failure of the Thrashers and the Flames.
| POLL | ||
8 SEPTEMBRE | 223 ANSWERS Two American cities reportedly become front runners to land newest NHL expansion franchises Which of these cities is more deserving of a new NHL team? | ||
| Atlanta | 6 | 2.7 % |
| Houston | 28 | 12.6 % |
| Quebec City | 168 | 75.3 % |
| Other | 21 | 9.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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