Seattle coming in 2021...

[26CRDS]

https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-nhl...22/c-302581450

As a Canucks fan, I'm happy this is happening and love the city of Seattle...Just happy the league is growing as well.

[dudical]

Makes sense that they get a team. Now just have to add Hamilton and Quebec and we're good to go.

[Thick McRunfast]

I think 32 teams is enough!

[jogesc2]

I'm thinking they'll move Arizona to Houston if they don't get a new arena in Phoenix and then move either Carolina or Ottawa to Quebec City at some point.

[30ranfordfan]

I'm thinking they'll move Arizona to Houston if they don't get a new arena in Phoenix and then move either Carolina or Ottawa to Quebec City at some point.

I think 32 teams is enough!

Makes sense that they get a team. Now just have to add Hamilton and Quebec and we're good to go.

Next round of Expansion: Houston, KC, QC, Toronto #2

:)




Worst kept secret in the league, that Seattle was getting a team. Balancing the size of division will be good..... Now wait for a slightly extended playoff format.

My bet: The "wild card" teams (as we know them right now) will be done. It will all be in division.... with the top 3 making the playoffs, and the 4th & 5th getting a "play in" single game elimination (hosted by #4).

[odjickfan]

Next round of Expansion: Houston, KC, QC, Toronto #2

:)




Worst kept secret in the league, that Seattle was getting a team. Balancing the size of division will be good..... Now wait for a slightly extended playoff format.

My bet: The "wild card" teams (as we know them right now) will be done. It will all be in division.... with the top 3 making the playoffs, and the 4th & 5th getting a "play in" single game elimination (hosted by #4).

I think the league will max at 32 teams for a while. Some losing money teams might be moving under a new sky. The plan is to sell a couple of new franchises at the maximum price.

[30ranfordfan]

If they can get more people to line up, at $650m (or more) USD a pop, I believe the league will keep expanding.

Having a city or two, where a team could move at a moment's notice (i.e. QC) is good for the league though. They can use use QC as leverage, to help with new arena deals in Calgary & Ottawa (for example).

I wouldn't expand any further expansion to happen for a while... if Seattle is coming in 2021, I can't see another round until 2025... but I can't see them waiting until any later than 2030 (if there is interested buyers).

Expansion is such a win-win thing for owners & players. It adds 23 more jobs to the NHLPA, while giving the owners MILLIONS of dollars they don't have to share with the players. Seattle just put 20+ million into the pockets of 30 NHL owners.

If the NHL opted to add four more teams between the years 2025 & 2030: That's 92 more player jobs, and (I'm betting) a cool $100m into the pocket of 32 owners.

I think the league will max at 32 teams for a while. Some losing money teams might be moving under a new sky. The plan is to sell a couple of new franchises at the maximum price.

[TheLastOlympian07]

Expansion to 32 teams is great. Vancouver Seattle will be a great rivalry. It will be interesting to see where the NHL decides to go in the future. Especially now going to be tied with the NFL for most teams in their league. If they continue to add or just relocate unless some teams pick up their socks lie Arizona, Carolina and Florida.

[30ranfordfan]

If they expanded again - I would being willing to bet they bring one more team to Canada (Quebec City), try desperately to find someone to give Atlanta a third kick at the can, get into Houston.... and then one other western city: I'd expect KC would get it, if an owner was there.

Expansion to 32 teams is great. Vancouver Seattle will be a great rivalry. It will be interesting to see where the NHL decides to go in the future. Especially now going to be tied with the NFL for most teams in their league. If they continue to add or just relocate unless some teams pick up their socks lie Arizona, Carolina and Florida.

[Thick McRunfast]

Why doesn't the NHL just save everyone a whole lot of trouble and create a team that rotates its location every season? That way, Kansas City, Quebec City, Toronto, Cleveland, Atlanta, and any other city in North America can say they've got a team to root for every few years. Players who sign a multi-year contract would be guaranteed to see parts of the country they've never seen. And imagine the money they'd make selling jerseys and other merchandise!