No Love for Canada When It Comes To Upcoming NHL Expansion
Photo credit: KSL News Radio
NHL expansion rumors swirl this offseason, agent Allan Walsh has revealed that two American cities are leading the way to land the 33rd and 34th franchises in league history, which means there will be no love for Canada, the country where ice hockey originated.
Walsh, appearing on the September 4 episode of the Agent Provocateur podcast, revealed that Houston and Atlanta are the top contenders to land new NHL teams.
According to Walsh, expansion is «100% happening,» though it may take a few years before the new teams are introduced.
"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," Walsh said. "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."
If Walsh's information is correct and Houston and Atlanta become the next cities to land an NHL franchise, that will follow the ongoing trend of Commissioner Gary Bettman's preference for U.S. markets.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and it's a logical place for a potential league expansion with franchises in all other major leagues. Atlanta, for its part, previously had an NHL franchise, the Thrashers, which relocated to Winnipeg in 2011 to become the Jets.
Many will criticize the additions of more American based teams when their are many part of Canada in which a National Hockey League team can thrive. Fans may be disappointed in the eventual out come. Poor Québec City and there attempts to secure another franchise.
Source: Athlon Sports
Report: No Love for Canada in Upcoming NHL Expansion
Report: No Love for Canada in Upcoming NHL Expansion
| POLL | ||
9 SEPTEMBRE | 33 ANSWERS No Love for Canada When It Comes To Upcoming NHL Expansion Will the NHL ever bring another franchise back to Quebec City? | ||
| YES | 8 | 24.2 % |
| NO | 25 | 75.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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