The NHL Thinks That Atlanta Would Be A Good Expansion Candidate
"There are potential markets that may be suitable for NHL hockey, so our policy is really an open-door policy," Daly said "If you are interested and have a plan, come see us and certainly we'll evaluate it from there. If it becomes something our owners are interested in, we can pursue it. Nothing has risen to that level currently, but that could change."
One of those potential markets is Atlanta, where the NHL has failed twice in establishing a franchise through expansion. The Atlanta Flames played from 1972 to 1980 before relocating to Calgary. The Atlanta Thrashers played there from 1999 to 2011 before relocating to Winnipeg to become the second coming of the Jets.
This is GREAT news for everyone who wants the Quebec Nordiques back in the league. The quickest route for Canada to get a team is by a failure in Atlanta. Start saving for those season tickets in 2030, Quebecois!
Love the NHL chumming the waters for new owners. Come on down. We aren't super interested right now...unless you have $2Bn to splash around for the right to play in our league. Inflation is out of control. 7 years ago you could get an NHL franchise for $500M. Thanks to Biden that number apparently has gone up 200%.
The NHL probably wouldn't expand by just one. It'll be a plan for either 2 or 4 teams. Four teams paying a minimum of $2B a piece...that will keep the Coyotes solvent for another 10 years!
As far as Atlanta as a market...I don't get it. I don't think the fans were the biggest issue in Atlanta. They never really had a chance to latch on because the team was so pathetic and the ownership was more concerned with suing their partners in court than winning on the ice. Big city, easy travel destination for the majority of the country, and plenty of infrastructure around a potential team. Atlanta and Houston probably make the most sense for expansion if done right. With the success of Vegas and Seattle I think you can make an argument that the NHL has a much better process for expansion than they did during the previous generation's expansion wave. Atlanta could actually work this time. Not opposed.
If the league goes to 36 eventually my votes would be
Atlanta, Houston, Quebec, Salt Lake City. Four divisions of 8. Top 4 in each division make the playoffs. Divisional playoffs. Put the Wings and Hawks back together somehow. I don't think that is too much to ask.