They'll have an easier time getting funding for an arena after the locals have had some time to miss hockey, especially with the possibility they could have Vegas or even Seattle type success right away.
I think they'll be in the 35/36 expansion group and that'll come around quicker than people think.
I doubt we will ever see something like that ever again. GMs and teams learned from those two expansions. And they were done with outside conditions that allowed them to happen.
And if the team has to rebuild straight away than it will be a fail anyway.
Of course we also have to consider what second team the east would get if there is an expansion to 36 teams. Lets consider that houston and Atlanta come in. And Phoenix would be an option.
then they are 35 teams. But that would make the schedule bad. So they want another team in the east. Where? Quebec?
And all of this is only possible if there is an arena in AZ. And i doubt that.
While AM gets 1b. He can use that to finance part of his proposed district. but where does he get the rest of the money without a franchis? I doubt there will be many people willing to lend him money. Especially when all the infos come out about his ownership of the yotes, after they move.
Oh and he would have to pay the league 1b for the expansion team. Which means that he will most likely cancel the bid. Or the state will cancel it because they see whats going on.
Which means that there needs to be another person willing to A) build an arena B) have the money for an expansion and C) work with Ishbia on a combined arena and district.
I cannot see that happen. It is way more likely that this will be the end for NHL hockey in AZ for a long, long time. If not ever.
