NHL Board of Governors to approve opening of expansion process; Atlanta and Houston believed to be leading candidates

[tucker3434]

60 year difference, one is ancient, one is not.

Both cities lost franchises before I was born and I’m not exactly young anymore. There are only a handful of NHLers older than me. I don’t see how either are relevant in 2024.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

People arguing talent dilution when hockey is the second-most played sport of the big-5 in the world

More countries play hockey than basketball, baseball, and American football combined

Just admit you dont know shit if youre arguing talent dilution lol

100%. There are so many decent players (not superstars obviously) in Europe/KHL and probably in the AHL aswell who could find a role in the NHL.

Everytime we have an expansion somebody like William Karlsson or McCann suddenly gets an opportunity to emerge.

Also with the potential talent dilution the superstars will end up standing out even more. I thought fans enjoyed the increase in scoring but now it's sudddenly a problem because people just feel the need to be negative?

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

cant wait for atlanta to fail again tbh be another team for canada that and the atlanta posters on here are smug af lol goodluck with your 3rd try . and welcome houston if it happens

coming from a sens fan is crazy you guys make the league no money whatsoever , only arizona generate less revenue than you and they have just ceased to exist

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

100%. There are so many decent players (not superstars obviously) in Europe/KHL and probably in the AHL aswell who could find a role in the NHL.

Everytime we have an expansion somebody like William Karlsson or McCann suddenly gets an opportunity to emerge.

Also with the potential talent dilution the superstars will end up standing out even more. I thought fans enjoyed the increase in scoring but now it's sudddenly a problem because people just feel the need to be negative?

Not everybody enjoys the inflated increased scoring. And not everyone wants a watered down league. Some of us enjoy watching the cream of the crop compete against eachother. So you can understand why people don't want 50ish non NHLers joining the league

 

[Profet]

I really do think the NHL as a whole would love to put another team in Ontario, but they're not about to force the Leafs to accept one and they have a veto over GTA2 and Hamilton.

They got the Rangers to accept the Islanders and Devils. Crazy to me that the Leafs would be capable of blocking this.

 

[dj4aces]

They got the Rangers to accept the Islanders and Devils. Crazy to me that the Leafs would be capable of blocking this.

They convinced the Rangers to accept the Isles, with indemnification, because the WHA was viewed as a threat.

As for the Rangers (and Isles, and Flyers) accepting the Devils, it took years of negotiation between the four organizations before something was finally settled and the Rockies were able to move east. Again, indemnification. The Devils paid out a hefty sum.

Considering how valuable the Leafs media market is, it won't be cheap. Rest assured, MLSE will want every penny they feel they deserve.

 

[Tawnos]

They got the Rangers to accept the Islanders and Devils. Crazy to me that the Leafs would be capable of blocking this.

I don’t really see how decisions 40-50 years ago are relevant, TBH. The Leafs are a $3B company that brings $300m revenue in each year. The economics are different.

 

[Whalers Fan]

I can't believe Atlanta is any serious discussion. I say go to KC before giving Atlanta a chance at a 3rd failure.

Houston makes a bit of sense. Wonder if you could make somewhere like Boise, ID work to try to capitalize on the rocky mountain region?

Denver and Salt Lake City have that region covered. Don't think Boise is big enough. It's metropolitan area is about 750,000 people.

 

[njdevils1982]

They convinced the Rangers to accept the Isles, with indemnification, because the WHA was viewed as a threat.

As for the Rangers (and Isles, and Flyers) accepting the Devils, it took years of negotiation between the four organizations before something was finally settled and the Rockies were able to move east. Again, indemnification. The Devils paid out a hefty sum.

Considering how valuable the Leafs media market is, it won't be cheap. Rest assured, MLSE will want every penny they feel they deserve.

yep. the devils paid 12.5M to the rangers, islanders and flyers... (40.8M in 2024 dollars)

 

[dj4aces]

Denver and Salt Lake City have that region covered. Don't think Boise is big enough. It's metropolitan area is about 750,000 people.

While I agree that Boise is small and covered by Utah and Colorado, Boise is growing at a pretty decent clip. It's population went up by over 100k (616k -> 764k) between 2010 and 2020, and is estimated to have increased by another 100k (to 865k) in just the four years since.

If this growth continues (and let's be honest here, most of that growth is folks from California -- and most of that from LA) and they can get companies to move their regional HQs to the area, they could be competing for a team in ten years or so.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

I don't think the talent will be diluted or anything like that. It's not right now and 2 more teams won't make the difference

but I feel like this will lead to the NHL eventually adding a play-in round for the playoffs which . . .

 

[hockey20000]

coming from a sens fan is crazy you guys make the league no money whatsoever , only arizona generate less revenue than you and they have just ceased to exist

coming from a montreal fan whos fans usually got the biggest egos in the league mind your own buisness lol