Two Major US Cities Are Being Considered for NHL Expansion

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Joshua Deeds
September 8, 2024 (6:51 PM)

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With the expansion to Salt Lake City, Utah officially complete, NHL expansion is a hot topic that has been brought up by one personality. The agent has predicted that the NHL will again grow soon.

With the off-season solidifying the Arizona Coyotes move into Utah, expansion continues to be a top we discuss.

When we do discuss the topic, it is generally how Gary Bettman likes to ignore Quebec, in favor of markets in the United States. Bettman and company haven't done anything to quell those rumors either, as the next markets the NHL moves to are US-based.

According to Agent Allan Walsh, it's a matter of it not when, that the NHL will expand into Atlanta and Houston.

«It's not a question of 'If?', it's a question of 'When?' for the next NHL expansion process, and we will reach 34 teams. I predict that the price to pay for each of the two new franchises will be $1.5 billion for the franchise purchase, more than double what Seattle had to pay in 2021.»

- Allan Walsh

With the cost of entry higher than it has been in past years, as Seattle's fee was $650 Million, and Utah's now $1.2 Billion, it'll be hard to see if Quebec could divert Bettman's attention to Canada once again.

But as Walsh has reliable sources in the league, it could turn out that the NHL is getting two more US cities in the league, before Quebec gets another shot at a franchise.

Source: Hockey Patrol
Two major cities surface as finalists for NHL expansion per source