Potential NHL owner surveying fans for team name in Utah

Expansion has been the talk of the hockey world in the last several months, with cities like Atlanta, Houston and Salt Lake City among the locations interested in an NHL franchise.

Salt Lake City has been arguably the most aggressive of the group, going as far as asking the National Hockey League to begin the formal expansion process. However, that hasn't happen...yet.

On Monday, Ryan Smith, who would be the owner of an NHL franchise in Utah and current owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz, unveiled a survey that he's put out to fans asking what they should name the team if granted one by the league. Click here to participate in the survey (U.S. residents only).





There's no doubt that Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League are intrigued by the idea of having a franchise in Salt Lake City, Utah and it only seems like a matter of time before the formal expansion process begins. The cost for an expansion franchise is also something that other owners are likely excited about, with the expected cost being in the range of $2 billion USD, $1.35 billion more than what Seattle paid to enter the NHL in 2021.

If Smith is granted a franchise in the coming years, the team will likely play out of Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, which has hosted three NHL pre-season games and will hold another in September between the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights. However, a new arena is expected to be built with Salt Lake City reportedly going to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Do you think the NHL should grant Utah an expansion franchise? Let us know what you think in the poll below.