HIGHLIGHTS
- See the cities that could get an NHL team next
- Is the third time the charm in Atlanta?
- Read below for the complete list of potential NHL expansion cities
The NHL has quickly expanded from 30 teams to 31 in 2017, with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken making it an even 32 after debuting in the 2021-22 season.
Things are ramping up quickly after a 15-year hiatus of no new NHL teams, and there’s no end in sight.
Where could the NHL’s next expansion teams land? Let’s take a look at the top three future cities likely to get an NHL team next.
Potential NHL Expansion City – Atlanta
Ah, Atlanta. The home of the Atlanta Flames from 1972 to 1980, until they moved to Calgary. Then there were the Atlanta Thrashers from 1999 to 2011, and they, too, moved north of the border as the Winnipeg Jets rose from the ashes.
Could the third time be the charm for Atlanta?
Things seem to be trending in that direction. Forsyth County in Georgia signed off on documents for The Gathering in South Forsyth earlier this summer, which could pave the way for hockey’s return to Atlanta.
It makes sense. Atlanta is a city that has teams in every other major sports league, with the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Braves (MLB), and even Atlanta United FC (MLS) and the Atlanta Dream (WNBA).
The Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators are proving that hockey works in non-traditional markets. It’d be hard to see the NHL not giving Atlanta another chance in the coming years.
Potential NHL Expansion City – Houston
They say that everything is bigger in Texas, so surely the Lone Star State is large enough to have two NHL teams, right?
Although the city of Houston doesn’t quite have the same history with hockey as Atlanta, it was the home of the Houston Aeros from 1994 until 2013. They were first in the International Hockey League (IHL) before that league had problems, but the AHL was there to scoop them up.
Unfortunately, with the expansion of the Minnesota Wild as their affiliate, the Aeros were eventually moved after the 2013 season and have yet to return.
There has been a recent movement to bring the NHL to Houston, led by Billionaire Dan Friedkin, ESPN reported back in March.
Much like Atlanta, Houston also has teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS.
And it’s not like Dallas is that close to Houston, despite being in the same state. The cities are separated by nearly 250 miles. For reference, Philadelphia to Boston is just over 300 miles, and there are the Flyers, Devils, Rangers, Islanders, and Bruins in that area.
Potential NHL Expansion Citiy – Quebec City
The current economic climate may not be ideal for adding another team in Canada, but it’s easy to argue that the country that gave birth to our great sport deserves another team.
Of course, it has already been proven that the NHL can exist in Quebec City with the Quebec Nordiques.
Originally in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1979, the Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979 until 1995, when they moved to Colorado to become the Avalanche. The Avalanche found near-immediate success in their new home while hockey fans in Quebec were left empty-handed.
The NHL has tested the waters in Quebec in recent years, though, with preseason games selling out in the Northern city. The Ottawa Senators are actually scheduled to play two preseason games at the Videotron Centre in Quebec.
“In addition to playing two games in front of passionate fans, this short trip will allow our players to spend a few days in a beautiful city as they put the finishing touches on their preparations for a new season,” Senators owner Michael Andlauer said.
The two games are scheduled for September 28 against the New Jersey Devils and September 30 against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Videotron Centre, which opened in 2015, has over 18,000 seats, so it’s plenty big enough to house an NHL team.
