NHL Insider reveals the NHL has reportedly already picked the next two cities they'll expand to
A few days ago, multiple reports surfaced that the city of Atlanta will soon be revisited in expansion. ESPN reporter John Buccigross, as well as Twitter account @NHLRumoursDaily both confirmed that the Atlanta Thrashers could make a comeback soon, citing factors of growing demand, larger market, and a strong potential ownership group.
Now, NHL Insider Kevin Weekes appears to have confirmed this report of expansion in Atlanta, and even further goals of expansion in the city of Houston.
Weekes shared a picture of two old franchises from each city in a tongue-in-cheek post about keeping the secret of NHL expansion. Although it'd be amazing to see, there's no confirmation that either franchise would be a revitalization of the now defunct IHL and NHL teams, the Houston Aeros and Atlanta Thrashers.
With several reports emerging in the last few days, it seems like we may get more than some tacit confirmations soon - it's possible the process to integrate these teams have progressed further than we know to this point.
One thing of note, these will be expansion franchises, not relocations. Although there are markets that look primed for relocation, being Arizona and Florida, the entry price for teams to secure a place in the NHL has been valued too highly to pass up in favour of relocation.
| POLL | ||
MARS 6 | 212 ANSWERS NHL Insider reveals the NHL has reportedly already picked the next two cities they'll expand to Does the NHL need to continue expanding? | ||
| No, it dilutes the talent | 146 | 68.9 % |
| Yes, it's good to grow the game | 66 | 31.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) controls the puck during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530840.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) controls the puck during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images")
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![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and forward Anthony Cirelli (71) try and find the loose puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530722.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and forward Anthony Cirelli (71) try and find the loose puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images")
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![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530544.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530571.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
