Earlier this season, rumors were swirling about potential NHL expansion, and two cities were in the spotlight: Atlanta, Georgia, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Now, it seems things are heating up as groups from Atlanta and Houston are meeting with the NHL in New York City with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman today to discuss further possibilities.
Atlanta, in particular, has been a topic of interest, with former NHL player turned broadcaster Anson Carter actively seeking investors to bring an NHL team back to the city. While initially involved with the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators, Carter's Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group has now formally applied to the NHL for an expansion team.
Atlanta's hockey history is pitiful . The Atlanta Flames, now the Calgary Flames, had a brief stint from 1972 to 1980, without much success. Then came the ill-fated Atlanta Thrashers, lasting from 1999 to 2011 before moving to become the Winnipeg Jets 2.0. Despite producing players like Marian Hossa, the Thrashers' playoff history was dismal.
