Gary Bettman and the NHL to approve 2 new expansion teams today
According to NHL insider Andy Strickland, NHL owners are meeting today to formally approve the start of an expansion period, which will see the league grow from 32 to 34 teams.
Strickland reports that Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, are the frontrunners for these new teams.
Some fans are surprised by the idea of giving Atlanta a third chance at hosting an NHL team, considering the city's two previous failures. The Atlanta Flames relocated to Calgary after just eight seasons, and the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg after 11 unsuccessful years. Many are questioning why the NHL wouldn't just move a team to Quebec City instead, especially since the city has been eager for an NHL team since opening the 18,000-seat Videotron Centre in 2015.
While Houston's hockey scene is not well known, the city has a large population and a strong sports culture. It already supports major teams like the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), Rockets (NBA), and Dynamo FC (MLS). The potential Houston NHL team would likely be owned by Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who also owns the Toyota Center in downtown Houston.
Despite Houston's potential, some fans are skeptical about Atlanta getting another chance. They point out that Quebec City, with its large, modern arena, has been pushing for a team for years. However, the NHL seems more focused on markets with strong corporate support, which Quebec currently lacks.
Though recent expansions to Las Vegas and Seattle have been hugely successful, fans hope the NHL doesn't overlook the struggles faced by teams in markets like Arizona, Florida, and Columbus, where hockey hasn't always thrived. Expansion is not a guaranteed success, and the NHL will need to consider that carefully as they move forward.
| POLL | ||
19 SEPTEMBRE | 165 ANSWERS Gary Bettman and the NHL to approve 2 new expansion teams today Are you excited to see Houston and Atlanta get new NHL teams? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 17.6 % |
| No | 136 | 82.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
