Three Cities Identified for NHL Expansion in Next 5 Years: Another Blow to the Nordiques
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
It seems that it's only a matter of time before the National Hockey League announces that it will move forward with a new wave of expansions.
As reported by John Shannon on Inside Sports, there could be 34 teams within five years.
And while the arrival of a team in Atlanta is looking more like a formality, there may be a surprise regarding the identity of the other city that could join the NHL.
NHL Expansions in Atlanta, Houston and Phoenix?
Here's another major blow in the Quebec Nordiques file.
According to well-known insider John Shannon, it would come down to the cities of Houston and Phoenix for the 34th NHL franchise - but under one condition.
"I think in the next five years we're gonna be at 34 teams; I suspect we're gonna see Atlanta come in let's say 2028, and then Houston or Phoenix, if Phoenix gets a new arena, in 2030."
- John Shannon
- John Shannon
The NHL could therefore very well return to Arizona only a few years after the Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City, where the team is now called the Utah Mammoth.
This statement from Shannon is surprising, since many experts agreed that Houston was the favorite to land the league's 33rd franchise.
Meanwhile in Quebec, there is no news about a potential Nordiques return, but if we go by the veteran journalist's comments, it's clear that the NHL leadership's priority is to favor the development of new U.S. markets - even if some of them (Atlanta and Arizona) have already had teams in the past.
We already know how it ended in both cases.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 24 | 1333 ANSWERS Three Cities Identified for NHL Expansion in Next 5 Years: Another Blow to the Nordiques Do you think the Coyotes will return before the Nordiques? | ||
| Yes, and it's ridiculous | 862 | 64.7 % |
| Yes, and it's normal | 178 | 13.4 % |
| No, the Nordiques will return first | 293 | 22 % |
| List of polls | ||
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