NHL Expansion expectations

With rumors circling the NHL community about expanding the league in the near future, many have begun to speculate about which cities may be the homes of the NHL’s newest teams.

At the NHL board of governors meeting in June 2025, commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the league is not formally pursuing expansion, but five cities have expressed interest in hosting the 33rd franchise: Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Indianapolis and New Orleans.

These cities would continue the trend of expansion to the US, which Bettman is notorious for, much to the chagrin of fans who believe Canada is due for a new franchise. With a hefty fee of $2 billion, the next NHL city will be the one with the best ownership group, but maybe not one that the NHL fan community wants.

3 probable cities:

3. Hamilton, ON

In the unlikely event that the next NHL franchise is based in Canada, it will likely call Hamilton or one of the surrounding cities home. The “golden horseshoe” region of Ontario is the most densely populated area of Canada and is home to numerous junior teams with passionate fans.

From 2009-2011, three proposals were made for golden horseshoe cities such as Vaughan, Markham and even a second team in Toronto proper. Hamilton was home to the Tigers in the NHL’s early days, and lost an expansion bid in 1990 to Ottawa and Tampa.

A Hamilton team would obviously have huge competition for attendance with the Leafs, but a Rangers-Islanders/Kings-Ducks situation would likely occur, where similarly large metro areas successfully split between two teams, and a rivalry would be created.

2. Houston, TX

With the huge surge in fan interest and competitive dominance of southern US teams in the modern NHL, the league is more likely to entertain potential expansion to the south.

Houston has generated buzz with its NHL-ready arena: the Toyota Center. Houston-based billionaire and Everton FC owner Dan Friedkin has already been meeting with the NHL about bringing hockey back to Houston.

H-town supported the WHA’s Aeros from 1972-72 and won two championships led by NHL legend Gordie Howe. A second Aeros franchise played in multiple minor leagues from 1994-2013. America’s 6th-largest TV market would provide a strong geographic rivalry with the Dallas Stars.

1. Atlanta, GA

Atlanta has been talked about for NHL expansion since 1972, when the Flames franchise was founded in Peachtree City. They lasted 8 years before heading north to Calgary. In 1999, the league tried again with the Thrashers, who lasted 11 years before heading north to Winnipeg.

The third time could be the charm, with Krause Sports & Entertainment CEO Vernon Krause pursuing a huge development in Forsyth County called “the gathering”, which would include an NHL-sized arena.

If he can secure an NHL franchise, he would receive almost $400 million in public funds for the construction project. The ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators have a passionate fanbase who are nostalgic for the Thrashers days, and would form a rivalry with the Nashville Predators.

3 fan-favorite cities:

3. Portland, OR

The NHL’s Newest team, the Seattle Kraken, immediately saw huge success in terms of attendance, proving the Pacific Northwest is hungry for pro hockey. Not many American cities have junior teams, but Portland does, with the WHL’s Winterhawks, whose fans would be eager to welcome a pro franchise and start a rivalry with Seattle.

The NBA’s Trail Blazers play at the Moda Center, which could easily be fitted for dual use. Expansion to Rip City is highly unlikely, due to the lack of an established ownership group or formal proposal, but it would be appreciated by fans who want to see more expansion to northern cities.

2. Halifax, NS

Canada’s Maritime region lacks a pro team, but is the frontrunner for Canadian Football League expansion. If a future CFL team proves the market can support a pro franchise, the NHL could be next.

The region has a huge hockey culture, as it hosts many junior teams and has produced NHL greats like Sidney Crosby and Nathan Mackinnon.

As for an arena, the QMJHL’s Mooseheads play at the 11,000-seat Scotiabank Centre, which would be the smallest in the league by about 4000, but the team would have TV dominance across the four Atlantic provinces.

1. Quebec City, QC

Ever since the departure of the Nordiques in 1995, fans have yearned for the NHL to return to Quebec City. Home to the 18,000-seat Videotron Centre and Canada’s 7th largest population, all it needs is a top-tier ownership group to meet the massive expenses and convince the league to look away from the southern US.

If they can overcome this obstacle, there’s almost no doubt the team would be wildly successful in terms of attendance and renew the NHL’s French Canadian rivalry. If fan interest dictated expansion, the Nordiques would immediately become the 33rd team.

Gabe Eisenberg is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email gfe5080@psu.edu