Four new NHL expansion teams? Vegas, Seattle, Toronto and Quebec by 2017: Report

[KamaAina]

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-expansion-to-las-vegas-and-the-dumb-deal-on--done-deal-065603703.html

There are few topics in the NHL that get people buzzing like expansion and relocation do. Drop some morsel of news in the dead of August, and it’s like tossing the last bite of a Shake Shack burger to a flock of pigeons in Central Park.

On Tuesday, Tony Gallagher and Howard Bloom chucked their meat and the flock went crazy. Gallagher said that NHL expansion to Las Vegas was a “done deal,” and then Bloom upped the ante by claiming that the NHL will add Vegas, Seattle, a second Toronto franchise and Quebec City by 2017, the 100th anniversary of the League....

Look, we’re all in total squee-mode for a team in Vegas. Or really any declaration that expansion is going to happen. But the proliferation of this “done deal” report – by Tony Gallagher, no less – is the most Hockey August moment in the history of Hockey August....

Which leaves us with the biggest decisions of all: The nicknames! Seattle Sasquatch, Las Vegas Craps, Quebec Nordiques (‘natch) and Toronto Rakes (the sworn enemy of Leafs)!

Sasquatch?! As it happens, Seattle has a hockey history: the Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917 (which is more than San Jose can say ). Rakes is kind of cool, but why a second team in T.O. instead of one in nearby Hamilton (the Alexanders? the Beach? )

[El Supremo]

1. The Avalanche already have that (alternative) logo.

[KamaAina]

2. And the shoulder patch.

[shenmue]

3. Wow!

You beat me to the post. I just saw the story on the CBC website.

I don't know how I think about adding four teams - that seems to be a lot - but on the other hand, I do like to see cities get a team that haven't had one in quite a while.

[caraher]

4. Sadly the most likely expansions are the least desirable IMO

Vegas? Does the NHL know something the other major sports leagues don't? Plus I hate to see teams where there's no real winter (personal bias)

I agree that Hamilton would be far better than "other Toronto." The CFL has both cities.

I'm cool with Quebec but worry that if the economics didn't work before they may just get into trouble again. Maybe they can get the Avs back?

The virtue of Seattle is it will reduce the number of Vancouver fans...

[KamaAina]

6. DUzy!!

The virtue of Seattle is it will reduce the number of Vancouver fans...

So which expansions are the most desirable?

[caraher]

7. Just from my quirky perspective...

I'd like to see a team in Quebec City and, for the aforementioned reason, Seattle. No use for Vegas. And while Leafs fans feel like they're without a team, I'm not thrilled about the Rakes unless they're in Hamilton.

But since the NHL is seeking investors with more money than sense, I'm guessing Vegas is high on their list, followed by Toronto.

[KamaAina]

8. Works for me. And the fourth team should be...

[caraher]

9. Works for me too <nt>

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I Thought Expansion Was An Indicator Of Overall Saturation and Success

That's ridiculous. These small markets won't improve TV money and won't increase continental exposure.

OK, vegas is not a small market but still. Since nearly everyone there is a transplant, the hockey fans there are already fans of another team.

That's massive expansion for a sport that has a growth curve that flattened more than a decade ago.

[JonLP24]

10. I have doubts the story is true

The NHL insists expansion is not imminent.

"Nothing has happened to change the status quo," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a telephone interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. "There continues to be interest from some markets, and we continue to be interested in discussing the possibilities, but there is no plan moving forward in terms of expansion."

The NHL has not expanded since the 2000-01 season when the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets became the 29th and 30th franchises in the league. After last year's realignment, the Eastern Conference has 16 teams and there are 14 in the Western Conference.

Seattle, Toronto, Quebec City, Las Vegas and Kansas City have been mentioned as markets that might land a new team in the league.

"If we get to a point where there's enough interest in enough places that it warrants consideration, then the Board of Governors may well invoke a formal expansion process and we'll look at everything," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said. "I don't think this is something you do on a piecemeal basis."

A person with knowledge of the league's plans, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said reports of a possible four-team NHL expansion were news to him and "I don't believe it."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11420347/nhl-says-expansion-not-imminent-interest-discussion

Vegas may not be a small market media wise but they have fewer people than small-markets in Oklahoma City and Milwaukee. Also what scares the other leagues away is the competition for entertainment dollars. I really don't see Quebec and especially Toronto.

I see Seattle as the only possibility I see. Kansas City already has a nice arena but I have doubts anything serious in the near future but it puts them ahead of many other cities.

However, economically the league is as strong as its ever been.