The NHL will expand again simply because the existing 32 owners will happily pocket the expansion money. The problem is that 34 teams will cause another unbalance but 36 is workable.
It is becoming obvious that Atlanta 3.0 will happen
Gathering at South Forsyth district gaining steam as 2023 concludes, NHL analyst relays
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The NHL has a willing suitor in Salt Lake City with the owner of the NBA Jazz.
Then we have Houston
Team 36?
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Personally the idea of a 36 team NHL makes me ill but the NHL BOG has historically
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Can I make a case for Atlanta 3.0? Yes because it wasn't lack of fan support that caused the Flames and Thrashers to move.
Salt Lake? The owner of the NBA Jazz wants a NHL team.
Houston? Second largest state in the US and a natuaral rival with Dallas.
Quebec? A huge Francophone TV market that would embrace the team.
Bettman at this point will not walk away from Phoenix.
Obviously the best market for a NHL expansion team is Toronto or the Golden Horseshoe but...............