6 NEW Cities The NHL Is Expanding To?!

[@icebox.hockey]

What cities did we miss on this list? Do you think the NHL is going to keep expanding in the near future?

[@moody9442]

we just move a team beacuse they couldnt fill a a 5k seat arena and their new home is just as sus... and were talking about expansion? are we mental? one thing at a time or else the nhl is gona burry itself in problems.... but i think thats what the nba loving betman wants. a league to keep the nba from being at the bottom. wounder what i mean look at the betmans job prior to 93 and tell me he has any intrest in the nhl actualy thriving. expansion is a mistake.

[@michaelk9284]

Isn't adult that uses the phrase sus mental

[@jacobtoadstool492]

I think the Florida Panthers should relocate to Quebec City.

[@TimFrith24]

Hartford, Houston, Kansas City, and Quebec City

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

Please get someone to do your spell check.

[@Chiefsfansince-qb1kt]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH...for including Kansas City on your list of 6-potential expansion cities!!! It's about time SOMEONE put together a video like this. I was one of those people who went to Scouts games as a young man and was heartbroken when they left town for Denver in the summer of 1976. Kansas City NEVER got a fair shot at NHL success. During the 1970's the WHA was actively stealing players who could've played for the Scouts and helped them become a competitive team, but instead, those players took increased pay from the WHA teams (many of them weren't worth what they were paid but it helped the WHA become competitive for a few seasons) but as a consequence, the Scouts were stricken with a ridiculously increased salary structure that kept them from being competitive. At the same time, the Economy during the 1970's was bad-to-terrible and this caused an inflationary spiral that ended many businesses all across North America. For the 2-seasons the Kansas City Scouts were in the NHL they averaged 7,450 for the 1st season, then 7,800-plus in the 2nd with all games played at Kemper Arena. Crowds were climbing at the end of their tenure but they weren't given a chance to gain a fan-foothold the way the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes have been by current NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL partner teams who have kept the Coyotes alive financially for the past 10-seasons. During the 1970's Clarence Cambell was the commissioner and his "sink-or-swim" attitude left the Scouts with very little chance at survival. Kansas City deserves another chance, the same way Atlanta (seriously, a 3rd chance?!!!), the Bay Area, Winnipeg, Minnesota and Denver have been allowed. And I think Quebec City needs another chance too! C'mon Gary! Get rid of your attitude about markets like Kansas City being inferior to other markets and give them another shot! MSA population of Kansas City is 2.25 to 2.5 million people, which is larger that 7-current NHL cities! The money is there, the Corporate Sponsorship potential is there, the fans are there, the building is there, the geographical fit for the NHL's Central Division is PERFECT! Make it happen before you retire and had the torch off to Bill Daly!

[@michaeloneil1975]

Quebec Nordiques would be the best addition to the league.

[@StephEWaterstram]

They would have to make a new logo for the new franchise but they can use the old one as an alternative jersey. Winnipeg got their new Jets from Atlanta.

[@dougwinegar01]

Quebec and Hartford

[@jd.3493]

Let’s take Kona, Hawaii! 🤣 you Canadians are so ridiculous. You think money is there? That’s a joke. Let’s make a team in billings, Montana! Everyone will love, so much passion for the sport… 🤣🤣🤣

[@bufnyfan1]

No Way. Players won't want to play there (as Eric Lindros made very clear). There is the language issue, the horrendous tax burden (Quebec has the highest tax rate in North America) and there are very limited opportunities for endorsements etc. There is also the belief that behind the scenes the Montreal Canadiens do not want to share the Quebec fan base/TV deals etc with Quebec. Think about it. Here you have the Arizona team that could have moved to Quebec (a brand new arena would await them there) but they picked a far smaller city (Salt Lake City) to relocate.

[@johnmbrown7515]

What a sloppily made video. Facts, wrong graphics, several major typos. BTW, if you can’t get to snow within 75 miles, no go for expansion. ATL and HOU would be remaking mistakes again

[@aarongreiner5851]

Milwaukee Wisconsin. Because cheering for the back hawks or the wild is just too awkward.

[@dvferyance]

Where would they play? The Fiserv was only designed for basketball.

[@SantaDog81]

Are the Admirals ready for NHL?

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

​@@dvferyancethe arena can be fixed to accommodate them too.

[@jeffcurtis5470]

I like the Green Bay Puckers better.

[@dvferyance]

@@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736 then they should have kept the Bradley center.

[@Alan-lv9rw]

Bring back the Hartford Whalers! Their merchandise still sells like crazy!

[@p.g.944]

same problem as the nordique, nhl can make insane profit with 0 cost with these teams

[@ZakhadWOW]

It was a killer logo, to be sure.

[@larrydale5733]

A potential owner would have to strike a deal with the ownership of Carolina. The Hurricanes still own the intellectual property of the Whalers

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

That Whaler logo is just the best! People buy their stuff without even knowing what it is. That said Hartford is too small to get a second chance sadly especially given how close they are to NYC and Boston.

[@donsmith8614]

always liked their jersey's

[@TonysMusic1974]

2:54 why is there a photo of Portland Oregon during a discussion about Houston?

[@paulrath7764]

Nordiques must be added next. I'm not Canadian and I live nowhere near Quebec. Yes, the franchise will be successful and it will sell-out the stadium immediately, which Betman and the owners most understand - BUT more importantly, the NHL needs to consider it an investment in the culture, long history and soul of hockey. The Nordiques represent this. Besides being an exciting game, fans want to be a part of long and storied Canadian history and culture of the NHL

[@hippomancy]

the league wants American markets. Quebec City or Hamilton are good picks, but far less media funding possibilities.

[@buggernut3643]

The big American cities also have more gamblers who are the target market of much of the NHL's sponsorship and advertising, right? I don't think the sport's tradition in the city matters that much anymore.

[@moody9442]

lies. salt lake has 0 media funding. the betman simply doesnt want the nhl to succeed. hes a former nba top brass and his job from day one was to keep the nhl at the bottom. one way of doing that is keeping the nhl out of citys who love hockey like Quebec City or Hamilton and giving them to cities like arizona or salt lake who have 0 intrest in hockey. the top nhl brass realy have alot of people thinking cities that dont care about hockey should have teams and fu*k the rest. this is a failing stratagy.

[@josephroman2126]

The league wants MONEY, doesn't care which market it comes from.

[@bufnyfan1]

Ask a fan of the Rangers to point out on a map where Hamilton is and he wouldn't have a clue. And the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres will not want Hamilton in their geographic area

[@buggernut3643]

@@bufnyfan1 Once upon a time, they probably couldn't point out Edmonton either.

[@reconsoldier135]

add enough teams in the west so that Nashville can move to the Eastern Conference and not have to travel so damn much

[@craigrohn9938]

I'll add my two cents here. Expansion has only ever worked when overall population increases can support the added number of teams. Case in point: MLB. It did not expand until the early 1960s. The US population grew from 76 million, mostly concentrated in the Northeast to 180 million by 1960. Much of the growth was in the south and west but still only the same 16 teams you had in 1901. Yeah, there were a few moves in the early 1950s but not out to the west or south, the infrastructure for rapid travel across the continent didn't exist yet. By the 1950s the reality was California had no teams and was already one of the largest states. The South also had no teams - the rail network the teams relied on to travel wasn't as robust in the South. At first, expansion into the West and South was a non-starter because of logistics, so there was a push to make the Pacific Coast League a major league. Jet air travel, making it possible to travel from the East to California in hours instead of a week, ended that idea and the Dodgers and Giants, escaping bad stadium situations in New York, moved out west which cemented the PCL's place as just another minor league. But, NYC no longer had a National League team, so the Continental League was proposed, a third major league which, of course, would have a second MLB team placed in NYC (No way would someone in Brooklyn or Queens EVER root for the Yankees) MLB finally decided to expand in 1961 and 1962 so the reason for the Continental League vanished. Football as well, the NFL was concentrated in the northeast with on or two outliers, possible only because pro football teams only play once a week. But the point is that the NFL didn't keep up with population trends and the AFL came along because Lamar Hunt wanted a team and he found many more people who wanted teams. The AFL became so strong the NFL had to accept them to survive. But the point is, the league HAD to expand because of greater demographic trends. The WHA succeeded as much as it did because NHL owners wanted to keep their slice of the pie. That's also why the 1967 expansion happened as it did, the NHL expanded kicking and screaming. This situation is OVER for now, in all sports, until the US population reaches a billion and cities like Kokomo can support teams. If Quebec wants a team, wait until there are 100 million people in Canada. 32 teams is enough given North America's current population distribution. Sports leagues and teams have to make money, y'know

[@ultrametric9317]

The Flames did not leave from lack of support. The owner made some bad real estate bets and needed quick cash. I was there.

[@josephroman2126]

If Atlanta was viable, why didn't someone step up to keep them there?

[@ultrametric9317]

@@josephroman2126 Do you remember the economy in 2005-2007? Or 1977? Both times the country was in a deep recession. That's why the owners had problems to begin with.

[@richardtwaddle759]

that's tr5

[@michelleblanc6377]

@@ultrametric9317 If the market would sustain the team it would have stayed. There would have been public support and financial interest to keep the team locally. Things might be different today but back then we from the exterior did not feel that there was a huge support to keep the team in Atlanta.

[@oldguysrock2170]

The one thing the NHL that makes it different from other pro sports league, is that there is an abundance of quality players between North America and Europe. Expansion will have only minimal drop in talent per team. Six teams is a lot of teams, but placed in the right markets, it could work!

[@theCranesUS]

I use to work for a minor hockey team in Amarillo several years back. Hockey fans are fantastic and loyal. That said as a native Houstonian hockey is not that big here in Houston. Those that love hockey have their favorite teams from “back home”. Houston will suffer from attendance drop off like the Aeros did in the past after 3-5 years unless they have a perennial playoff team. I like hockey, but not enough to watch it on tv. Attending a game would be more of novelty for most Houstonians. Our MLS team only gets decent attendance (actual butts in seats not sold seats #s) only when the team is winning.

[@L0v3_Murd3r_0n3]

No to Atlanta. Seriously, don't do it. We all want Quebec Nordiques back. Give Canada a chance to compete and give Toronto someone else to root for. Maple Leafs are just a dumpster fire and maybe a good metro rivalry will give them a reason to not suck.

[@bufnyfan1]

Quebec has language issues/horrendous taxes (the worst taxes in North America) and little to no opportunities for players to make money from endorsements etc. And although this isn't reported the Montreal Canadiens do not want to share the Quebec market with Quebec City.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Dude look into it, but the quickest path to a new Canadian franchise is for Atlanta to get a team and then it moves to Canada. Keep giving Atlanta temas until Saskatoon has a team.

[@digbybaines7813]

Atlanta is not the only city to have lost two NHL teams. Montreal (Maroons and Wanderers) and Quebec City (Nordiques and Bulldogs) have also done that.

[@colinpeach4232]

Man thoses where all pre great depression teams the bulldogs and wanderers where around before the original six

[@ZakhadWOW]

Correct, these are astronomically different situations.. Atlanta lost both in 30 years (1980-2011). You cannot compare those other two AT ALL.

[@craigrohn9938]

Apples and oranges. The Flames and Thrashers didn't have a Great Depression causing them to collapse.

[@sampicano]

You had to go back to world war 1 for that fact. Fun Fact Georgia has 11 million people and less hockey players enrolled than the smallest province PEI (with 150 thousand people)

[@gamma21285]

It's NHL's loss, not Atlanta's

[@thephantomeagle2]

Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers. that Whalers uniform is one of my favorite uniforms in all of sports.

[@Alexander-vp8gc]

Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Portland Ore, Quebec, Hartford- places where it actually snows.

[@dogcowrph]

Kansas City, Houston, Quebec City, Hartford, SLC, Portland, Hamilton, Indianapolis,..

[@rayharrison724]

Houston is the largest market without a team

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Yeah but how much do Texans actually care about hockey? The NHL keeps on trying to force their way into non hockey markets instead of going to places that actually like hockey. The result is that they are ruining hockey to make it more marketable.

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

​@@IusedtohaveausernameIlikedwhen the WHA Houston Aeros arrived the hockey team was going to set up in Dayton, Ohio. That deal fell through and the Aeros needed a place to go so Houston was Chosen along with the five other WHA teams.

[@Acccountable]

@@IusedtohaveausernameIliked Well Dallas does pretty well, not sure Houston would. Atlanta was because of ownership, nothing to do with attendence.

[@sampicano]

Mexico City and Tokyo are larger...what's your point. Go to Quebec City, Milwaukee, Portland a REAL HOCKEY MARKET

[@rayharrison724]

@sampicano I was replying to someone who said Atlanta was the biggest market without an NHL team which is obviously wrong and Mexico City and Tokyo will never get an NHL team.

[@vwm8534]

If Portland would support it that would make a nice rivalry game with Seattle.

[@97is100]

Hamilton, Ontario…already has an NHL ready arena Copps Coliseum (or whatever it’s likely been renamed) that has a capacity exceeding 17,000. The Greater Toronto Area needs a team that doesn’t suck… the most profitable team in NHL, the Leafs, suck so bad that they haven’t won a cup since the original 6 era….pathetic.

[@bufnyfan1]

Toronto and Buffalo do not want a team in Hamilton and if it ever happened they would have to be compensated BIG TIME. And a franchise now costs >$1 billion. There is no one in Hamilton that could pay that. And Hamilton doesn't support a team for long--both their AHL and OHL teams have left. An NHL team would be a "novelty" for a couple of years and then attendance would fall like stone.

[@sampicano]

@@bufnyfan1 An NHL team in Hamilton would generate more money than one in Buffalo...and no nobody has to be compensated...that's not how expansion works. I understand how territorial rights work. So you can lose 50 million in Buffalo.... Or generate 100 million in Toronto-Hamilton... Why on earth would you purposely fail in Buffalo, makes no sense...you don't understand basic finances.

[@VladimirBattle-li1pw]

After the successes of the last two teams, I am so excited to imagine any of these teams 😊 I would like to see Quebec and Houston 🙂

[@billkeon880]

The league’s expansion planes. Airplanes?

[@TonysMusic1974]

6:44 Just a heads up . . . the word PLANS is not spelled with an E :-(

[@michaeldriscoll8537]

My guy, proofread your video before posting. It’s a good piece but I counted at least 3 obvious spelling mistakes. Sloppiness makes the whole thing look off.

[@fantasticvoyage262]

I always wanted to visit Tronto.

[@icebox.hockey]

spelling mistakes? in the subtitles or what? i auto generate these with ai bro who has time to proofread that :P

[@buggernut3643]

Probably automated with voice recognition.

[@jamesirwin2048]

Atlanta has already blown it twice, no more chances!!

[@outbackigloo6489]

Washington blew it twice in MLB but the Nationals appear to be there for keeps. So, yes, Atlanta should get another chance as it is the sixth largest metro area in the U.S. And if they blow that, there are northern cities, either in the U.S. or Canada, to relocate to.

[@coreyhill681]

There are also talks about Salt Lake City as a expension team as well, surprised you didn't mention them

[@icebox.hockey]

Definitely another big contender! Do you think that they are a bigger prospect for a franchise than a city like Hamilton?

[@tudormiller887]

Yep! That's a real possibility, as well as Omaha, Atlanta (again) Maybe another team in Ontario, probably.. Milwaukee ? It would be great if The Nordiques were back in Quebec, but another NHL expansion team in Canada, is even less likely, especially when there's serious talk regarding The Jets leaving Winnipeg (again) 😢

[@tudormiller887]

​@@icebox.hockeyI think so. Bettman isn't really thinking of bringing any NHL expansion teams to Canada. The big money is in all the US cities, as far as he's concerned. So a new NHL expansion team in Ontario is less likely compared to a team in Utah.

[@icebox.hockey]

@@tudormiller887 Well, after the season the Jets have had, I feel like those moving talks seemed to shut down a bit. I highly doubt that they would move a team like the Jets when it has a fanbase (sure it's smaller), when a team like the Coyotes exist. I'd love the Nordiques here, my parents were raised in Montreal, and he always said that it was the best rivalry in sports.

[@icebox.hockey]

@@tudormiller887 Yeah I unfortunately agree. It would really be great if we could have another one, I mean there's so many arguments about players hating playing in Canada because of pushback too, that even they may prefer an American team. It's just sad to see.

[@Cerby1979]

Oklahoma won’t get an NHL team despite both the Paycom center (OKC) and BOK Center (Tulsa) having the capacity to host games.

[@teamsaunz]

Apparently you don’t know where Ottawa is located. You had the Sens logo in northern Ontario and they are located in eastern Ontario.

[@HawklordLI]

Doesn't know where Kansas City is located either.

[@lrimmf]

@@HawklordLI I don't think geography was the primary point of the video...

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video. From what I have heard, The Quebec Nordiques had the bad luck & were on the way to winning A Stanley Cup, which they did, but, I believe it was their first season after the move, The Colorado Avalanche - somebody let me know if I'm right - I'm pretty sure that it's in their first or second season in Colorado. Therefore, they likely deserve another shot. I think that the Third Time's A Charm might bring opposite results, if Atlanta is given another shot. I think that they'll likely go with Salt Lake City, especially since The Arizona Coyotes may or may not relocate there.

[@Shadowwolf7774]

They will not even play Dallas Stars on the NHL Network!!!

[@STEVEGOTITPOOL]

I still say bring the Hartford Whalers back

[@sampicano]

2022 - Georgia was ranked 56th out of 60 in hockey registration per capita . Out of 60 provinces and states...Georgia was ranked bottom 5. 1970 - Hockey registration in Georgia was 0% By 2022 - Hockey registration in Georgia was 0.02% 52 years = 0.02% growth rate That would be like having 100 people play hockey in 2024, and in 26 years you only have 101 people playing….by 2025 only 101 It is mathematically the worst hockey market in America. Fun Fact: The least populated province in Canada (Prince Edward Island) has more hockey players than Georgia. - Georgia population - 10,711,908 (2,078 hockey players) - Prince Edward Island - 154,331 (5,557 hockey players) PEI has twice the hockey enrollment...but only 150 thousand people. But more hockey players than the state of Georgia (10,711,908). Also Fun Fact: Every major population center in Canada (except one) ALREADY HAS AN NHL TEAM. It's literally just a matter of time: 1 Toronto Maple Leafs (5,647,656) 2 Montreal Canadiens (3,675,219) 3 Vancouver Canucks (2,426,160) 4 Calgary Flames (1,305,550) 5 Edmonton Oilers (1,151,635) 6 Ottawa Senators (1,068,821) 7 QUEBEC (839,311) 8 Winnipeg Jets (834,678) EVERY NHL TEAM IN CANADA GENERATES REVENUE FOR THE LEAGUE Fun Fact: Atlanta Thrashers set the NHL record for most money lost by any NHL team in history. -$130,000,000 = Atlanta Thrashers (Atlanta - 6,307,261) [Atlanta lost $130 million in 5 years from 2005 to 2010] #NeverAtlanta #NevaATL

[@icebox.hockey]

nice.

[@exeter1985]

There's no way that the NHL expands in Canada right now. With an exchange rate of $1.00 US to $0.70 Canadian right now, there's no potential owner that is going to want to earn Canadian dollars while paying expenses in US Dollars. The NHL would be better off as a league to figure out how to compensate NHL Clubs in Canada for the money that they are losing. Clubs like Montreal and Toronto should be able to ride things out and hope that the Canadian dollar comes back up. Clubs like Calgary and Winnipeg may need help if things keep going in the current direction.

[@bufnyfan1]

How about NO new expansion? there are far too many teams now. Some teams shouldn't even exist. Carolina, Miami, Buffalo, San Jose etc should be folded and a dispersal draft held. Focus on the stronger teams/rivalries not extending hockey into areas that don't support it.

[@larrydale5733]

I beg to differ with Carolina being included here. They have won a Stanley Cup and have been contenders every year for at least the past 5 years. They are also supported quite well in Raleigh. Matter of fact it was rumoured that the Canes were moving to Charlotte and the people in Raleigh responded with a big HELL NO

[@jumbolarge108]

Next should be Quebec City, Arizona, Houston, Atlanta. Then I’d like to see Hamilton, Milwaukee, Portland, San Francisco.

[@matthewbrueckner8374]

Tronoto??? (8:28)

[@billschipper1718]

Quebec City didn't lose its team because of attendance but it's old arena. I think it's the best bet for a new team. Atlanta wow didn't the NHL learn anything from the first two mistakes.

[@craigrohn9938]

The weakness of the Canadian dollar at the time had a LOT to do with the decision to move to Denver. It wasn't lack of support, especially after the Lindros trade and the subsequent winning. No doubt if Quebec could've hung on for another couple of years Coupe Stanley would be paraded on the Plains of Abraham.

[@patbrennan6572]

Send Betman to Gaza, maybe he could start a new league there. The J.H.L.

[@ryanfriesen4366]

lmfao at toronto having another garbage team

[@dmc009]

32 teams. It's perfect. We're good.

[@gamma21285]

Well you're not the commissioner or on the board of governors so what you say doesn't matter

[@dmc009]

@@gamma21285 oh, yeah. Forgive me, my guy, who in fack are you?

[@TonysMusic1974]

8:28 Holy crap man!! Did you really Spell TORONTO wrong? Who edits this crap? How embarrassing. Bush league stuff bruh.

[@brianjones7660]

tell me you aren't serious about this without telling me you aren't serious about this.

[@TonysMusic1974]

@@brianjones7660 are you referring to me or the guy who made this crap?

[@Jacksonhutchins69]

5:08 how are Kansas City fans passionate if most of them are 12 year-old girls who love Taylor Swift

[@tahuyachris]

As a loyal Seattle sports fan, I would be happy to see Portland get a team. I've lived in Oregon for 22 1/2 years, but I still root for the Seattle teams.

[@Giuseppe_1994]

HARTFORD WHALERS

[@outbackigloo6489]

Would love to see it as I live in Connecticut. I think an NHL team would be successful there, but there are too many larger markets for that to be realistic.

[@inconnu4961]

@@outbackigloo6489 Like Phoenix & Atlanta? LOL

[@outbackigloo6489]

@@inconnu4961 - Yes. Like Phoenix and Atlanta. The 10th and sixth largest metro areas in the U.S., respectively. (Hartford is 48th.) As long as they have a suitable arena and capable owners, a team in those cities should do well.

[@lamarsmith5971]

As an Atlanta native of 60 years, let me tell you, the Flames were doomed to begin with because at that time, Atlanta wasn't an International city, just a big city in the South with not that many Northern transplants. The owner did make some bad business deals, too. Secondly, the Thrashers were great and we loved them. I had season tickets and the place was crowded. It was the ownership that wrecked the team, not the city, not the fans. If another team was to be brought here with good management, the team would thrive.

[@nathanhileman3848]

Whitehorse needs a team. Yukon Gold, only 1,200 miles from its natural rival Edmonton Oilers. The entire town could pack the arena. This story writes itself.

[@REVERY85INC]

THE NORDIQUES WHERE THEN SOLD TO BECOME THE AVALANCHE AND THE SAME PLAYERS WON THE STANLEY CUP WITH THE AVALANCHE! IF NORDIQUES WOULD HAVE STAYED IN QC THEY WOULD HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP!

[@fantasticvoyage262]

Canadiens would have still traded Roy to a rival?

[@dreamcage1801]

Stan Kroenke wants to put an NHL team in San Diego

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

He owns the Colorado Avs.

[@dreamcage1801]

@@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736 but he now owns the 90 percent of the new SD arena

[@sethjaffe9095]

Atlanta is not the only city to lose 2 teams. Montreal lost the Wanderers and Maroons.

[@sampicano]

Fun Fact: Maroons folded after the great depression...1938. And Montreal Canadiens are the SINGLE GREATEST HOCKEY FRANCHISE IN HISTORY....you want to compare Atlanta to Montreal? you lose Atlanta Thrashers set the NHL record for MOST MONEY lost by ANY franchise in NHL history...$130 million losses between 2005 and 2010...

[@30ShotKid]

36 teams. Salt Lake City, Houston, Atlanta & Quebec City

[@robertyoung3992]

Salt Lake City is getting a team the Arizona Coyotes are relocating there

[@dvferyance]

@@robertyoung3992 Replace SLC with Phoenix and I think you have the likely 4.

[@robertyoung3992]

Phoenix is relocating to SLC

[@SharksOregon]

Would be so excited about Portland! Currently it’s an 8hour drive to Seattle or San Jose from Central Oregon so going to a game is all but off the table

[@stevenbauer4799]

nhl needs to explore untapped markets like houston, or markets with little competition like slc, sd. or return to hockey mad cities like qc. Or try saskatoon. No need trying to shove atl. 3.0 into nhl to fail again. Or continuously prop up az. because bettman has a hard on for az. kc, cincy, omaha have no ownerships groups named so bettman just throwing cities out there to get expansion bidding/price for expansion set.

[@danielficarra2557]

Don’t need another team in Toronto I’d rather have Salt Lake City

[@icebox.hockey]

This was actually a city I was contemplating about on this list. It was either going to be Hamilton or Salt Lake City, both are compelling markets, but I also wanted to put another Canadian team out there. Maybe I'm a bit biased as a Canadian but who knows.

[@mattlorentz1988]

If New York can have the Rangers Islanders and the Devils Toronto can have another team

[@TheChiefWahooGuy]

Quebec Nordiques and Cleveland Barons. Columbus and Nationwide screwed Cleveland over with the nhl commissioner

[@crocodile1313]

Atlanta is a terrible idea for ANOTHER NHL failure! I personally like Atlanta, and the city does very well for national-level events---like the Super Bowl, Final Four, Olympics, etc---but there have been times when the Braves (MLB) and Falcons (NFL) could not even sell out their respective stadiums for playoff games. Seems that good choices in the US would be (besides SLC) Kansas City, Cincinnati or Houston. In Canada perhaps Sakatoon or Quebec City?

[@stephenjohnson5398]

What about San Diego, they are now in the process on building a arena.

[@AJAXRAIDER]

GOOD GAWD, NOT talk of Atlanta AGAIN!

[@Acccountable]

Again, Atlanta lost because of ownership issues. They outdrew the Hawks, it was not about making or losing money.

[@AJAXRAIDER]

@@Acccountable Sure, but that is not my point. My point is they have had two, and lost two. Let's move along. How many times do they get a shot? There are other places that have not had a single opportunity to this point.

[@Acccountable]

@@AJAXRAIDER Valid, but its the fans that lose because of ownership stupidity. I would like to see Quebec and Hartford get their team back.

[@AJAXRAIDER]

@@Acccountable 100% Those two teams were CLASSIC and deserve to be back!

[@bearforce187]

No, No, No to Atlanta, it just does not work there no matter the population. The other cities would work possibly, also could see Milwaukee and a return to Hartford.

[@elvinmasih]

The league wants USA markets I think Houston is a good prospect bye the way you misspelled Toronto not Tronoto

[@robmclaren664]

But as long as Bettman is the commissioner a Canadian city will never win our cup

[@brianjones7660]

Make it so!!

[@spencermiller2032]

My opinion: Atlanta, Houston, Hamilton, Quebec City

[@Acccountable]

Agreed, 100%.

[@brianjones7660]

Quebec is too small $$ wise, and ATL is old news.

[@crazyblade8991]

I think like Green Bay should get one or Milwaukee

[@ZakhadWOW]

Well, as of April 24, the ex-Coyote players attended a huge event at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. 13k++ fans in the building (fire capacity hit, doors locked - 7-8k more outside). Note: This is considering a quarter of the arena was nonaccessible, given the stage setup etc. considering those outside, the arena would have hit full capacity of 18K for this event.. It was love at first sight both ways. I feel terrible for PHX fans, but you must get a different owner if you want a fresh start. That man has burned every bridge in existence at this point.

[@J4K41]

Atlanta has a basketball team, the Hawks

[@fantasticvoyage262]

Seravalli said on his show Phoenix will eventually get another team.

[@craigrohn9938]

The history is being kept in Arizona, but I bet they only get a team through relocation, because expansion won't make economic sense for many years to come.

[@fantasticvoyage262]

@@craigrohn9938 A billion dollar expansion fee always makes economic sense.

[@janellek21]

If I had to pick 6: Quebec City (the fans passionately supported the mismanaged Nordiques and there's a natural rivalry with the Canadiens), Kansas City (arena already existing, would be only indoor pro sport in town), Milwaukee (hockey mad state, strong youth hockey programmes), San Diego (would be the only pro team in the city playing between October and April), Hamilton (just far enough away from Toronto to develop its own fan base), Minnegadishu (the hockey mad Twin Cities can support 2 teams).

[@billschipper1718]

During the 70's there was the North Stars and the Saints. Both teams struggle with attendance.

[@brianjones7660]

Quebec taxes / Anglophobia / no TV market. Sorry. Buffalo will move to Hamilton soon,solving many problems.

[@williammoore27]

NHL can just have a brand-new hockey expansion team in Cleveland, Ohio, this hockey made in the CLE!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🏟🏟🏟🏟🏟🏟🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒

[@Unholy_Louie]

6:44 Come on dude lol

[@Unholy_Louie]

+ "TRONOTO" :D hehe

[@icebox.hockey]

@@Unholy_Louie whoopsies

[@bostonspencer2979]

Atlanta Flames was never WHL they started NHL. The 4 teams who came out of the NHL was Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers already wrong.

[@billschipper1718]

I think it was the Alberta Oilers and the New England Whaler's.

[@craigrohn9938]

Weren't the Flames placed there to deny the market to the WHA? The same way that the Cowboys and Vikings both owe their formation to the AFL. So no the Flames were not WHA but they owe their formation to the WHA

[@outbackigloo6489]

@@craigrohn9938 - The Atlanta Flames were still in the NHL in the first season (1979-80) after the WHA merger, so when they moved to Calgary the following year it had nothing to do with the WHA.

[@craigrohn9938]

@@outbackigloo6489 No, that's not what I said. Read my comment again, if you are able. The NHL EXPANDED TO ATLANTA to deny that market to the WHA in 1972. That is what I referred to, not the 1980 relocation to Alberta. The ATLANTA Flames would never have existed, or would have been created much later, were it not for the birth of the WHA. The Atlanta Flames were specifically created to deny the Atlanta market, one of America's fastest growing at the time, to the WHA. If you read my comment more carefully you would have known I was referring to the 1972 BIRTH of the Atlanta Flames, not their later relocation to Calgary which yes, happened after the merger and had nothing to do with the WHA, except perhaps being encouraged by the NHL to give newly admitted Edmonton an in-province rival and an instant rivalry

[@outbackigloo6489]

@@craigrohn9938 - I should thank you for the clarification, but in your comment, you were a real ass. The Flames were “placed” twice. In 1972 and in 1980. Somehow I read your comment and thought 1980. As for 1972, I think both the Flames and Islanders were created to attempt to thwart the WHA.

[@chrissimms-vs7ry]

What about Knoxville Tennessee??

[@Acccountable]

Not big enough to support.

[@outbackigloo6489]

I think another city worth considering is Milwaukee which have supported their Admirals for many years. I don’t see the NHL expanding to 38 teams for a very long time, although 36 teams, six divisions of six teams each, are possible in my opinion within 5 to 10 years. I think the four most likely cities for expansion are Houston, Atlanta, Hamilton, and Phoenix or Kansas City, depending on if a suitable NHL arena is built in the desert.

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

Utah now has the Coyotes

[@outbackigloo6489]

@@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736 - except that Arizona has dibs on the Coyotes name. Utah currently has the Team With No Name.

[@robinchase2141]

Quebec City's metro area is over 800,000 people.

[@matthewfein]

Atlanta's third time will be the charm!!

[@billkeon880]

Super Ball champion KC Chiefs. I love the NFL championship called the Super Ball

[@JohnSisk-kk7qb]

Welcome salt lake City

[@WilliamPalmer-nd2jo]

I like Atlanta, Houston, Quebec, Kansas City

[@williamhuebner8740]

Milwaukee should be in the discussion too

[@itszilo7436]

As a Stars fan I’m hoping for Houston so we can finally have a clear rival

[@MattHisagi]

I would like to see Houston and Kansas City to get nhl teams.

[@MotleyM1381]

Unless those cities are Hartford or Quebec I don’t wanna hear it.

[@brianjones7660]

don't worry you wont.

[@murdock8068]

I know we are small. I would love to have another hockey team in Lexington Ky. We had the thoroughblades and had a hell of a lot of people going to games. I was in my early teens and didn't know the politics of it but people still talk about them to this day In our area.

[@stevesmith246]

THINK GARY HOCKEY ALWAYS SELLS IN CANADA

[@JimM-uh7kn]

Either Quebec or Houston

[@jamduke7885]

Quebec would be the best choice for the next expansion nhl team but ill keep say as long as bettmen is commissioner of the nhl that won't happen cuz hes very anti Canadian its why I'm shocked when he approved the Atlanta team to move back to Winnipeg he won't ever approve another Canadian city 2 another nhl team!!!

[@joshd007]

Move Arizona to a different market. That franchise would have folded over a decade ago if it weren't for profit sharing. They cant even sell out a 4500 seat arena

[@icebox.hockey]

Absolutely agree on this one haha

[@truckermikemct1]

I always wanted to visit " Downtown, Kansas|.

[@iron-farmer]

Dumb not to put quebec city back. Ita 500 kms outbof new york, LA is 4000kms. Pretty sure they can make it work..

[@brianjones7660]

No TV market there. Try again.

[@kevindavidson2833]

Hamilton used 2 have an nhl team

[@johnmacdonald6220]

Hamilton never had a team from 192025.

[@Hellodarknessmyolefriend]

I like it when u had the original 6. Gotten out of hand. Old time hockey coach.

[@panagiotisfotopoulos3228]

What about a team in Alaska? It’s only Logical!

[@outbackigloo6489]

Not enough people. Even if you put a team in Anchorage, it would be a much smaller market than Québec. The team would either fold or relocate to a bigger market within two or three years.

[@RobertoLopez-xb1mj]

Houston Aeros. If not, how about Apollos or Stallions? Houston is long overdue to have an expansion team right now.

[@lynnkernighan]

Godda Be The Areos 2 Avco Cups Howe Popeil What A Power House I watched them

[@TerryOxford-t9e]

Quebec

[@jeremyschep3589]

38 would be way too much. I think it’ll be Atlanta and Houston and no more. 34 is pushing it as is

[@DontUputThatEvilOnMe]

I’m glad salt lake is getting the coyotes I think winter sports are much more popular in salt lake. You know, since they actually have a winter compared to phoenix.

[@CarlosVazquez-p4c]

Can Cincinnati trade their minor team Cyclones for a NHL team?

[@lonniealexander5208]

Houston! Give us hockey!!!

[@SmartyPantsDumbShit]

🏒🤷‍♂️🔫 💂🏿‍♂️

[@dennisproulx3215]

Quebec et Houston

[@robb7733]

Utah rocks!

[@joeecontant7490]

Bring back the Quebec nordiques

[@brianjones7660]

fortunately, never.