Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
New NHL Expansion Team Likely Coming to the Metro Division After Arena Approval Deal
Photo credit: Edit from the Toronto Sun
The NHL is ready to expand again after approving an arena deal, and no, it is not to Quebec City or Houston like many had hoped, but rather to Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta may have its third opportunity for an NHL franchise. After losing the Flames (now in Calgary) and the Thrashers (now in Winnipeg) previously, the city is once again a leading candidate for NHL expansion.
Other locations like Kansas City, Houston, Quebec City, and even Arizona have been brought up as possibilities, but Atlanta took a giant step forward.
The arena deal approval puts Atlanta at the top of the expansion list
A staggering $3 billion development plan, including plans for a new NHL-ready arena, has been approved. Krause Sports CEO Vernon Krause stated this moves Atlanta a lot closer to being in a position to make a legitimate NHL expansion bid.
"This vote marks a pivotal moment. We can go to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and ask him to start a process for expansion, which we're hopeful he will do."
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman hasn't been reticent about his desire to grow the league to 34 teams, and while Atlanta may not be at the front of the pack, the facilities and market backing that are now in place put it in a good position to be the league's 33rd franchise.
In recent remarks, Bettman indicated that if Atlanta were granted a third opportunity, the outcome could be different this time.
With growing momentum for the new arena and with local investment, it's starting to look less like a long shot and more like a matter of when, rather than if, the NHL returns to Atlanta.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 12 | 179 ANSWERS New NHL Expansion Team Likely Coming to the Metro Division After Arena Approval Deal Is Atlanta the right choice for the next NHL expansion city? | ||
| Yes | 43 | 24 % |
| No | 136 | 76 % |
| List of polls | ||