Two major markets revealed as finalists for NHL expansion
Photo credit: Sportspro
National Hockey League expansion has been a hot topic this off-season, with speculation rising about which cities might land a new team.
Recently, the NHL expanded into Salt Lake City, as the Utah Hockey Club took over the Arizona Coyotes' spot. With that move fresh, attention has shifted to the next possible expansion city.
Criticism has mounted against NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for focusing more on U.S. teams, and it seems like that trend is continuing. Despite hopes for a return of the Quebec Nordiques, renowned agent Allan Walsh recently revealed that Houston and Atlanta are now front-runners for the next NHL teams.
Walsh confidently predicted that expansion to 34 teams is a certainty and could happen in the next few years.
«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
Given the hefty cost of entering the league, a strong bid from Quebec might still sway things, but for now, Walsh's report suggests we'll see two more U.S.-based teams before a Canadian city gets its chance.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 256 ANSWERS Two major markets revealed as finalists for NHL expansion Which city deserves an expansion team the most? | ||
| Atlanta | 9 | 3.5 % |
| Quebec | 202 | 78.9 % |
| Houston | 29 | 11.3 % |
| Other | 16 | 6.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
