Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reveals that the NHL will be adding more expansion teams

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Hunter Bowman
August 26, 2024 (2:15 PM)

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Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated in a recent interview with Elliotte Friedman that another expansion in the NHL is likely.

Ever since Gary Bettman took over as the NHL Commissioner and in 1993 the league has expanded all over the United States, with a total of eight teams being added since his tenure, Florida, Anaheim, Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus, Minnesota, Vegas and Seattle.

Utah will eventually be added to the league this coming season, but through a relocation of the Arizona Coyotes, as their former owner Alex Meruelo stepped away.

Even though 32 NHL teams seems like the perfect amount of teams, as their is 16 Eastern Conference teams, and 16 Western Conference teams. However, the league has made it clear that there will be another expansion, but no official confirmation on when that will happen.

Here's what NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly discussed with Elliotte Friedman:

"Daly was most interesting talking about expansion. It's coming - and the union believes that as well - but was very careful not to be pinned down. "At the appropriate time" was the phrase he used. It's clear the league sees legitimate interest and is putting together a proper process, taking meetings and gathering information. He pointed out that, in the United States, the NHL is in fewer markets than its professional brethren, while Seattle and Vegas prove there is "a model that works, a model that allows you to be competitive out of the gate. Doesn't mean that it's imminent, doesn't mean that it's going to happen in the next year or so." Friedman said.

It will definitely be interesting to see what the NHL decides to do, as with how many teams they will add and where these teams will be located.

Source: Bladeofsteel
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reveals NHL expansion is likely