New locations have entered the fray as expansion of the NHL beyond 32 clubs is increasingly discussed, and American cities appear to be receiving the advantage.
Due to the recent success of NHL expansion, additional communities are now considering the possibility of hosting an NHL club. Another possibility is to transfer a club like the Arizona Coyotes.
Friedman says on 32TP that if the arena vote isn’t in Arizona this week, does the NHL go to Mat Ishbia and say, Can we do something here? Yes, we have to remodel your yard, but there’s a lot of money at the end of it all for you. Do we have a partnership here?
– NHL Watcher (NHL_Watcher) May 15, 2023
Sacramento is one of the most recent cities to show interest. Sacramento, a city in California, doesn’t initially seem like the most viable location for a new team, especially with three current NHL teams based in the state (LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks).
NHL officials and insiders have speculated about Sacramento’s potential as a hockey market due to Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadevi’s pursuit of the Ottawa Senators.
Friedman on 32TP: “That Ranadivé thing (probably bidding on the Ottawa Senators) made people wonder about Sacramento.”
– NHL Watcher (NHL_Watcher) May 15, 2023
With an arena that can hold over 17,000 people, it would take some changes to the infrastructure to put a hockey rink in the arena but that is not a very difficult task since there are many arenas that house NHL and NBA teams.
Friedman on 32TP: “We reported on Ryan Smith, owner of the Jazz, and I think Salt Lake City is interested in an NHL team somewhere down the road, and they’re expected to get a new rink if they win the Olympics in 2030 or more likely 2034..”
– NHL Watcher (NHL_Watcher) May 15, 2023
One of the main questions to ask is the feasibility of having more American teams before other Canadian markets such as Quebec get a team. Obviously Quebec could support an NHL team but they seem to be behind because of US markets like Sacramento or Salt Lake City.
It makes sense that the NHL would want to expand further given the success of the Kraken and Golden Knights, but they should think twice before making too many hasty moves.