Elliotte Friedman, in his recent edition of 32 Thoughts, shed light on the likelihood of Salt Lake City becoming the next NHL expansion location.
Securing the Olympics could pave the way for the NHL's expansion into Utah, especially with Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, expressing his desire to bring an NHL team to the state. This development puts Salt Lake City in a favorable position for an NHL team.
Current discussions also include Quebec City as a potential contender for NHL expansion. Quebec City, already equipped with a suitable arena and a community eager for the return of an NHL team, remains a strong candidate. However, there seems to be reluctance from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league in adding another team in Quebec.
Salt Lake City, on the other hand, presents a more viable option, especially with the possibility of hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics. Introducing an NHL team to Utah would mark a significant expansion of the league in the United States, as the state has never hosted an NHL team.
