What Would a 40 Team NHL Actually Look Like?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- Let's get the board out and have some fun with this idea. I don't think it will ever happen. It's just fun to look at for now.
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Honestly, I hate living in Wisconsin and not having an NHL team. Wisconsin is one of the most sports devoted states and an NHL team would prosper. With the new arena, I feel the net Expansion team should be Milwaukee... Like why would it not be besides the obvious change of fans who like Chicago and St. Paul. Milwaukee would be my #1 team to add. Plus Wisconsin fans hate Chicago teams and most hockey fans here cheer for Nashville. The AHL Admirals are always one of the most attended in the AHL and College hockey is Die-hard here. Idk It would even out the confrences and would automatically hav more attendance than Arizona/Carolina/Sunrise. This is just my opinion tho.. any thoughts anyone?
Minnesota or Chicago
RobotZapper where’s your arena & owner? You have the marketplace, from a Hawks fan in Chicago, but what about the other 2 aspects?
Kyle Luken Fiserv Forum was built with ice surface capability in mind, and it’s a brand new building that the NHL should be drooling over to have games played in. Honestly I’ll take an owner without the last name of “Pettit”, since they were too cheap to pay fees the last time when Milwaukee was considered for an expansion team (You’re welcome Ottawa). I guess the Bucks ownership group, or Herb Kohl would be the first two guesses, but this are just guesses.
@@yodadog54 I feel like Milwaukee could be run similarly to Green Bay with the fans have stock in the team. I think a 50% split between the fans and an owner could work to get the team there. I have no doubt that the people of Wisconsin, from all over, would quickly get on board with the idea. Just thoughts though...
@@yodadog54 It wasn't that Lloyd Pettit was too cheap to pay the fees. He objected to the discount the owners of the San Jose Sharks were given AFTER the NHL announced the franchise fee was to be at $50million. Plus the Sharks were able to raid the Minnesota North Stars farm system for players that created what Pettit termed an unfair advantage. It was a done deal that Milwaukee was to be awarded the franchise instead of Ottawa, but Pettit wouldn't back down from his principles when Gary Bettman wouldn't back down from the franchise fee issue.
Seattle thunderbirds. Portland lumberjacks. Kansas City scouts. Houston outlaws. Salt Lake City mountaineers. Milwaukee admirals. Hamilton bulldogs. Toronto st pats. Hartford Whalers. Quebec nordiques.
The Hamilton Bulldogs are kinda already an OHL team. I'd say a team like the Hamilton Blades would work in order to cater to their steel/factory based economy
The Milwaukee Admirals are already an AHL team. And bring back the metropolitans for Seattle.
I'd go with Salt Lake Pioneers or Utah Pioneers
I have a lot of teams just like yours, but i just saw it after i commented mine so don't think i imitate you
Houston Outlaws is already taken though
I'd say replace Toronto II with Baltimore and you basically get what I would do.
Baltimore would be great considering its a blue collar city with true fans, but I wonder how much of a draw it would be considering the Ravens and Orioles there. People dont think about it but you not only have to compete with the rest of the league, but the teams in your city. Pittsburgh fan here and I'd love another Pittsburgh/Baltimore rivalry.
I'm from Toronto and I'd love to see a Baltimore team in the Metro division, when it comes to that division I usually route for the Jackets (Only because they impressed the hell out of me last season) and I feel like Baltimore would be another solid rivalry for them. Though odds are Washington or Pittsburgh will be their biggest.
Baltimorean here, I don’t think we could support an NHL team. Most people here are just Caps fans. Many others don’t care at all about hockey. Our arena is also too small for NHL. There were plans to build a new one, but the man pushing for the project passed away a few years ago. Baltimore will probably never have an NHL team. Now if they brought back the Skipjacks and they were the Caps minor league franchise again I could see them having enough support (10-12k/game.)
I live in Baltimore and I would love to see a team there, but I was born in D.C, so go Caps
NHL would certainly require Baltimore get a new arena. Unlikely they have the $$$ for that.
I would think it would make more sense to put the Whalers in the Atlantic, given that their hardcore rivalries were with MTL and BOS
I for one would like to see more teams in Canada. I'd love to see 2 teams return more importantly (Hartford and Quebec)
I hope that you can keep expanding on this idea, i don't know what you could do, but explaining and showing an example of a full season of work on that thing you used to do i would love to know about it
Alexandre Daigle Bust
I would prefer a 32-team NHL. 40 teams sounds cool, however, I would hate to see only East or only West.
same
i hope there will be a 32nd team, an odd number like 31 just seems weird
I'm sure that they have the intention of adding in a 32nd team.
I would like to see 34 teams but I agree 40 is too many.
I've got some news for you
Seatlle is curantly in the mix of a possible expansion
mexico city musics, Denver oilers, Hartford nuggets, montreal technos, Alaska silver-spoons, Halifax Onions, Washington Spice, boston grill, Anaheim denny's
ICantThinkOfAName well the actual name suggestions aren't far away from your humourous suggestions
I am an avid hockey fan, I haven’t even watched the video yet and LOVE the idea on the title alone but first things first: a 40-team NFL
Ive said the exact same thing. People talk about which city should get the next expansion team but i say with 32 teams, the balance is perfect. I know it's unrealistic but if they want to expand then they should add 8 teams all at once, for the sake of balance.
Why not have Indianapolis as a Metro team, lots of people have wanted a team here for years and Bankers Life seats 20,000 which is albeit small but optimal for a NHL team and Indiana has had a long history of Minor league teams like the Ice, Fuel, Checkers and Komets
Yes, I had them on my list as well. You could bump out Toronto team #2 for Indy for sure.
That's exactly what I was thinking, Indianapolis Roadsters, maybe?
And racers?
I don't know how much interest there would be there, it may work but it's hard to know as I live in Indianapolis.
I’m originally from Indiana and I think I was one of 200 hockey fans in the state.
Does Regina/ Saskatoon ever have a chance of getting a team? Just seem like the odd province out in the middle of the country
Their population being low combined with the weather conditions in the winter make a pro team there a challenge. I would love to see it, not sure that the NHL would take that chance.
True about the population. The winter weather is very much the same as Winnipeg though for the most part.
Sorry2Baked the weather is actually better than Winnipeg
The Hockey Guy I live in Saskatchewan and you seem to be ignorant to the fact that the riders sell out every game and are one of the most successful sports franchises in Canada. Trust me, people in sask love hockey more than football and people would be willing to drive to Regina/Saskatoon to watch games just like they do with the riders. I feel Saskatchewan is the most deserving place for a team considering it has no other teams besides a CFL team and we produce the most NHL players in the world per capita..
Yes, a rich guy from Saskatoon bought the St.Louis Blues with the intent of moving them to Saskatoon, but the league blocked it.
I don't like the idea of East and West teams not playing against each other. My 2 best friends are fans of the Wild and the Predators, and they would never play ottawa... Plus, I love watching Edmonton vs Toronto (leafs) Because of McDavid and Draisaitl, and then Matthews and Marner.
Honestly it adds a fun aspect to All-Star games. I'd be find the finals more interesting if they had to go up against a team that they aren't used to.
you wouldn't be use to them anyway playing 2 games all season against them
If New York state can have 3 teams (BUF, NYI, NYR) with a team close by in New Jersey, than Ontario can most definitely have a 3rd NHL team.
Judson L Skynar in sudbury!
The population in NY is about equal to the entirety of Canada.
Judson L Skynar
Philadelphia is closer to nyc than buffalo......just saying
Fyrside The hockey fan base of Ontario would equal nearly the same amount of people as NY I would think.
This, also the population of NY? How many of them care about hockey? 10 or 11% ??
Hartford Whalers, Seattle Totems, Quebec Nordiques, Houston Aeros, Kansas City Scouts, Hamilton Tiger Skins, Ontario Legacy, Portland Ice Pilots and Atlanta Thrashers. (3rd and last chance.)
If they actually did this, I think the big loser would be the KHL. More spots for money and talent to be spread around. I doubt it ever happens though.
I would like to see the NHL team in Wisconsin as Milwaukee Admirals as of proposal expansion team. Milwaukee does have 5 interstate highways in the big city and they are: I-41, I-43, I-94, I-794, and I-894. It is more than 100 miles north of Chicago Illinois. Milwaukee is a good location for an NHL team, and besides it need more NHL teams in the north which has winter for most of the year, not the south, like Houston, San Diego, and Jacksonville (Florida) as future NHL expansion teams where they have no winter at all. There are 10 NHL teams in the south already and they are: Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently, 9 out 10 NHL teams of the south (except for Arizona Coyotes) do have a good chance to be in the playoffs for 2018.
Admirals bad ass logo
It would be bad. The talent would be so diluted down the good teams would constantly beat up on the bad ones. It'd be free wins.
TheFastStacker19 I think there are a lot of good players who get looked over for whatever reason.
My expansion draft (Western Conference)
Pacific Division:
Adding Seattle and Salt Lake City to the division.
Central Division:
Adding Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Houston to the Central.
(Eastern Conference)
Metropolitan Division:
Adding Cleveland and Hartford.
Atlantic Division:
Adding Atlanta, Quebec, (or maybe) Virginia.
Do you agree?
Instead of a second Toronto team, id put a team I’d put a team in Baltimore
Add more teams in the Sun Belt Region like Houston, San Diego, and Albuquerque. The latter will have to wait when the Metro of Albuquerque reaches with a population of 1,250,000 or more people. They should add more teams in the Snow Belt Region, such as Hartford, Quebec City, Milwaukee, and even Toronto may have a second NHL team.
A forty team league would mean most teams would have almost no chance of winning the cup, not that the odds are great now also the talent level and competitive balance is pretty good right now maybe the best of the four major sports
I think a neat thing to think about in dilution of talent.
There seems to be more people interested in hockey 15 years ago then there was 30 years ago, and more now than 15 years ago.
in 2011 there were 21 players in the first round who played 100 games or more.
In 1996 there was 18. Keep in mind the age difference and how many more opportunities the now mostly reitred players got.
Another example.
2010 there were 22, they could easily tack on to that, Howden is 3 games away from 100 and Forbert is 4.
1995, a fairly deep draft, 21. This draft had players like JS Giguere, Shane Doan, Iggy, etc. On top of that there were less players in the first round than today.
Those were literally the first 2 years I picked. Granted, it's not the best methodology as someone could play 100 games on a bad roster and be in the same classification as someone who played 1500 games for the same club. But my point is that the talent dilution wouldn't be as effective as people are thinking. A player like Nico Hischier is expected to be getting ~45 points this year, that's not very much to people now. Rick Nash put up 39 points his first year, Eric Staal, 40, Phil Kessel got 29. Then you think about players like Matthews, Eichel, Laine all who put up 56+ Points in their first year. Then you have someone like Tkachuk getting 48, picked 6th Overall. People in the past would have been calling him a steal, and a surefire superstar of the future. After all, he put up more points than 2nd Overall Eric Staal who went on to put up a 100 point season. Matty boy isn't being thought of as much as Matthews, Laine, Eichel, because those 3 are putting up superstar caliber numbers in their rookie years.
Final thoughts, Talent is going up with more people playing at a younger age, whether you consider population growth or love of hockey growth, or maybe it's the fact that a media has allowed kids like Matthews and Matthew to grow at a young age from Brady's dad, Keith.
What about a team in the east like Halifax?
Derrick Vivarais god I wish!
That would be amazing!
Economy isn't strong enough to support a team out there
im from halifax, the hcokey fanbase is hardcore out here and if a new arena was built i 100% feel like they could support a team
sorry, but if you think people in the maritimes have salaries large enough to fill an arena game in, game out you are sorely mistaken. people living in those provinces are already living close to the bone, throw in a brand new 20,000 seater rink that taxpayers are expected to help finance, along with the incredibly high ticket prices there's simply no way a team could succeed out there.
I really don't understand why Canadians believe the NHL would give expansion teams to Canada. The NHL will never expand there, it's pretty clear that giving Canada a team is like pulling teeth to them. There is absolutely no way in hell that Canada will get a new expansion franchise.
Unless Buttman is fired and replaced; he has been set on bringing teams to the the American west coast (Arizona, Anaheim, San Jose, Las Vegas) since he started.
SPENCER HEISLER
San Jose was around before Bettman began commissioner.
The only additional Canadian teams that would work would be Quebec City and perhaps Halifax.
Quebec, Hamilton and the GTA are the only markets that can support professional sports. These 3 locations can take on NHL teams, but that's about it for Canada if teams ever expanded or relocated within the NHL from it's current state.
I’m highly skeptical of Hamilton to Toronto #2.. Canada can really only support 8 teams- Quebec will work.
Seattle Rush, Portland Overtons, Kansas City Scouts, Utah Miners(Salt Lake), Milwaukee Admirals, Hartford Whalers, Ontario Beavers(Toronto), Hamilton Steel, Quebec Nordiques
-Seattle Metropolitans
-Portland Pioneers
-Houston Lonestars
-Kansas City Scouts
-Utah Chiefs/Milwakee Gray Wolves
-Hartford Whalers
-Toronto Marlies (with a small fee to the Maple Leafs for the naming rights of the new franchise)
-Quebec Nordiques
-Hamilton Bulldogs
It breaks my heart that Saskatchewan will probably never have a NHL team even though we could EASILY support it...😥😥😥
Auston Matthews It would be cool for them to have a team.
Same with Halifax tbh, although it's probably a little more likely
Larry Lunchbucket ya I agree. And it would give the NHL a better idea on how they would sellout NHL games easily
I was thinking that Cleveland should be on the list of expansion teams. They've a good size market and Quicken Loans Arena have a good capacity for ice hockey. The only issue could be that people in Cleveland are quite poor considering the crime. However, I think that a team would still work well in Cleveland and they would replace a 2nd Toronto team in the Metropolitan Division.
Instead of having two teams in Toronto, they could have a team in Cleveland and make a rivalry between Columbus and Cleveland.
The Hockey Guy It will be Salt Lake City, Houston, Kansas City, Missouri, Hartford, Connecticut, a second team from Toronto, Hamilton, Ontario and Quebec City in the NHL in the future.
Pacific: all good
Central: replace Salt Lake City with Milwaukee, natural rivalry with the Hawks and Wild.
Metro: Cleveland and Baltimore, Natural rivalries with the Jackets and Caps respectively. Cleveland is a huge sports city and St. Louis was about to go to Baltimore when Founded before the Hawks got involved.
Atlantic: All good
You could easily replace either Hartford or Toronto 2 with Cleveland
Enjoying your posts...Cleveland instead of another Toronto team? Bring back the Barons! 😁
Also the Nordiques and Whalers should absolutely get their teams back
Whale needs to go in the same division as the Bs. I'd love a team in NOLA.
Toronto fans are too devoted to the Leafs to support a second team in the city. I don't think a second Toronto team would work, most of their ticket sales(In my opinion) would be when they play the Leafs and it would be 99.999% Leafs fans in the crowd
they should just expand to 32
I will settle with 36 teams in the NHL. In the Eastern Conference, they should add Hartford Whalers, and Quebec Nordiques, and in the Western Conference, they should add Houston, and San Diego, since Seattle did have a 32nd team in the NHL, and they will start in the 2020-2021 season.
I vote"YES" for 40 teams-maybe then some my fave teams will be back(i.e. Hartford,Quebec,for sure)!!!And cleveland will finally get another team!!!
I’ve already done an Awesome name list for the new NHL teams if they were to become a real life franchise.. 1.Kansas City Scouts. 2.Milwaukee Elks 3.Atlanta Thrashers 4.Utah Cougars 5.Hartford Whales 6.Oklahoma Owls 7.Houston Steers 8.Québec Nordiques 9.San Antonio Stallions 10. San Diego Sea Lions 11. Kentucky Steeds 12. Mexico City Arrows 13.Portland Wolves. 14.Ontario Orcas 15.Alaska Glaciers 16.Virginia Herons 17.Indiana Racers 18.Baltimore Badgers 19.Maine Bobcats 20.Cleveland Barons”21.Sacramento Seals These are all the Top Franchise Team names that would fit there criteria based on Demographics of there cities narratives.. Animals, historical figures and landmarks..
Cleveland Barron's fails the already existed clause. Cincinnati stingers is a better option
I would love to see Québec, Seattle and other team from Canada and Hartford Whalers
If we had this type of expansion, wouldn’t the regular season be extended to about 90 or so games?
Why would it be the NHL be the pro league in north america to go to 40 teams and the NFL MLB and NBA who are much bigger are just at 30 32?
Oh I agree. This is just a fun look at "what if?"
Because of the Canadian teams. It's the only league that could have 30 American franchises as all the other leagues do but the addition of the Canadian teams means more teams.
ahh youre right! didnt think about Canadian market
The NBA will go to 32 teams soon and I could see the NFL going to 34.
NFL will have the most trouble expanding. As in a given season their isn't 32 QB's worth starting.
Not gonna lie.... At first I was just going to move on to another video. But then I really wanted to hear about the East. You nailed it. 👍
I think Halifax makes more sense than a second Toronto team. Hamilton and Buffalo could move out of the Atlantic and the Rangers could join it. Milwaukee seems more likely than Salt Lake City to me. Hockey is growing fast in Wisconsin. I would love to see a team in Saskatoon but I don't see the population rising enough. I would call the Halifax team the Privateers. I like the sound of Bears for a team in Milwaukee even though its taken in another league, Wolves would be good too. Hamilton would bring back the Tigers of course. Wranglers works nicely for Houston. Portland could bring back the Rosebuds or go with Lumberjacks but I think Eagles would be best, not sure how that works with Colorado's AHL having the same name. Interestingly Rockies could work too. Kansas City might be tough. Brining back the Scouts works but could be controversial. Quebec would definitely bring back the Nordiques.
I don't mind having more teams at all! Especially in Canada. After all, we're the ones bankrolling those oddly located American teams anyway aren't we? I remember one of your videos showing Canadians being responsible for about 2/3 of all NHL revenues and thinking how is that even possible and if true, how come Canada has only seven teams??
How about the Montreal Maroons? Montreal could support a second team too! Besides, that one has an actual history and even Stanley cups! Two of them! And 3 conference finals! 😃😉
I circled back to this video today because it was in my recommended videos for some reason lol
Hamilton Tigers
Quebec Nordiques
Hartford Whalers
Toronto Aces
Seattle Magicians
Idk what else...
Salt Lake City Saints.
I stayed up all night waiting for that bed time story, still haven't slept...
Cities/places that need to be considered: Seattle, Milwaukee, Saskatoon, Quebec City, Hartford, Indianapolis, Houston, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Portland, Kentucky or Virginia, Baltimore,
Etc.
Coming from Minnesota, Houston would be the #1 North America pick as of today (2022). Ridiculous population, and also the Aeros did relatively well there for a minor team. I do not think a second Toronto team would make sense if Hamilton were to get a team as well. Which adds to my argument that two Minnesota teams both located in the Twin Cities would ever work. Milwaukee seems like a perfect location, but I would like to add in Indianapolis as a contender.
Instead of a second Toronto team I would've went with Cleveland. And it's a tossup between Salt Lake City and Milwaukee
My schedule
5 team divisions (8 total in east and west conferences)
6 Games x 4 division rivals = 24
4 Games x 5 designated in conference division teams (yearly rotation among divisions) = 20
2 Games x 10 rest of Conference Opponents = 20
1 Game x 20 other conference teams = 20
84 Games Total
2 more games/year in exchange for hundreds of new jobs, NHLPA will agree
Hartford, Quebec City, Anchorage, Milwaukee, Portland, Salt Lake, Kansas City, and Hamilton should be the eight expansion teams in my opinion.
Hey man. Can you do a top 15 NHL fan bases and why. In your opinion. Thanks.
Jesus Is Lord how about 5 or 10 that's literally half the league
I believe a big problem is that if western teams didn't play eastern teams then less fans would go because a bunch of fans ( especially not die hard fans or fans of rebuilders) want to see the superstars of other teams like Mcdavids and Crosbys and they wouldn't be able too if the conferences didn't play each other
Crazy thought Minneapolis having a team.If they were branded the north stars, the wild would have a big problem in their hands. Walking around MN you still see as much nstars gear as Wild. Also to those who don’t think it’s possible, Dallas doesn’t own the nstars brand, the nhl does. Will likely not ever happen but interesting thought.
Toronto Nats! Red leaf vs the blue leaf. Mint!!!
BRING NHL TO HOUSTON,
Here's my idea to Expand to 40
Houston Aeros
Milwaukee Admirals
Kansas City Scouts
Seattle Kraken
Portland Grizzlies
Cleveland Monsters
Hartford Whalers
Hamilton Bulldogs
Quebec Nordiques
On Dec 7, 2018 - NHL guru of TSN Bob Mackenzie stated that Austin, Texas is probably the leading candidate for the next expansion team (#33) even ahead of Houston, Texas.
This makes perfect sense as Austin, Texas is the largest metropolitan city in the United States without a major 4 sports team. No NFL, no NBA and no MLB and they have a population estimated to be 2.6 million by 2024 which would rank ahead/above Vegas, Pittsburgh, Columbus or Nashville and they can also draw from San Antonio which is just 80 miles (1 hour) away and an additional 2.5 million people (for over 5 million). Austin is the fastest growing LARGE city in all of the United States (23% growth in 7 years), strong rich economy ... and the only BUT is... they
need an NHL size arena and there are rumors of a new NHL size arena being built in Austin. Here's to the NHL's 33rd team - Austin, Texas - if and when.
Maybe 2023.
I can not see Hamilton and Toronto 2 working - one or the other.
36 teams - Houston, Austin, Portland and Toronto 2 and maybe Quebec City if one team relocates (maybe Arizona) then Nashville moves East.
Milwaukee has an decent outside chance. Portland ahead of Milwaukee due to economy of city, growth of city, potential for new hockey fans vs established hockey fans in Milwaukee and Portland is also a bigger market at 2.45 million vs Milwaukee's 1.33 million.
If the idea is for four separate conferences, have 30 non-conference games (one game per opponent) and 54 conference games (6X round robin) for a total of 84 games. Everyone plays each other at least once, and plays in every arena at least every other year.
For two conferences with divisions, play one time through the opposite conference (20 games), twice through the other division in your conference (20 games), then the remaining 44 games against your division rivals (5X round robin except for one opponent)
NHL Europe
North Division: Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga, London
Central Division: Paris, Berlin, Cologne, Zurich, Prague, Vienna
South Division: Madrid (Barcelona?), Rome, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Sofia
Lets revist this with all the talk of Atlanta and Quebec City!!!!
Milwaukee Cheeseheads 2021
I think the best Logical thing would be if Canada gets their own Pro Ice Hockey League, and just let the NHL remain a U.S. "only" based Pro-Ice Hockey League, along with their Minory League affiliates.
I wonder how the Major Minor Pro or Junior Pro Programs having to have a proper system where League Champion gets promoted and the Last Place Team Gets Demoted? Or return to Regional Leagues (Eastern, Northeastern AHL, IHL) as opposed to having to jetlag or sea leg the better players in the Minors.
A Halifax highlanders team for the Maritimes would be nice
Pacific:
-Seattle Thunderbirds
-Portland Pirates
Central:
-Houston Galaxy
-Saskatchewan Spartans
-Kansas City Scouts
Metro:
-Hartford Whalers
-Hamilton Tigers
Atlantic:
-Quebec City Nordiques
-Halifax Buccaneers
TheHockeyGuy I think the second Toronto team should be put in Cincinnati it’s far enough from Columbus so they won’t be in their back yard and they won’t have the NBA to compete with and I’m sure you know as well as most people do that many NFL fans also tend to like the NHL as well and the Bengals clearly have been successful in Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Reds are one of the most iconic franchises in MLB so there are fans in Cincinnati although I don’t know if they have an arena suitable for the NHL but it doesn’t sound as crazy to me if the NHL put a team in Cincinnati than in Toronto. The biggest problem I see with 2 Toronto teams is the Leafs have been around too long no one is going to want to give up their allegiances to the Leafs.
also they could further have another cincy vs pitt rivalry and have a cbj rivalry
I can see the added teams being:
Hartford Whalers
Seattle Krakens
Houston Astronauts
Salt Lake City Yeti
Atlanta Thrashers
Portland Lumber Jacks
Hamilton Blizzards
Quebec Nordiqes
Sorry if I miss spelled the team for Quebec
I’d expand to Quebec, Houston, Hartford, Portland, Kansas City, Hamilton, Halifax and Saskatoon, and move the Blue Jackets to Cleveland
saskatoon thunder? Houston Gamblers, Quebec Nordiques, Kansas City Scouts, Hamilton Bees Salt Lake Bears, and this sounds like a long shot but an NHL team in Anchorage, Alaska?
I'd love to see Oklahoma City get a team. They have a huge passion for any sport that comes in.
Why not Louisiana? New Orleans has an arena, they're in a good location and they did support the ECHL team when they had it and they might be able to pull in Atlanta fans.
Cleveland!
If it goes to 40 I'd like to see the eastern split between the north and south east. A big fan of interconference play, so I'd say no to the 40 team idea if that's what it takes to happen. Would love to see a team in QC again but unless you move a failing franchise (AND NOT FROM THE WEST BECAUSE OF CONFERENCE IMBALANCE) I doubt it happens
The Leafs do have grounds to block another franchise from operating within 50 miles of the city's corporate limits; however, the league feels they also have grounds to overrule section 4.3 of the league's constitution but it would likely be a long legal battle between MLSE and the league. Also, I really don't think the league would want any more Canadian teams as their expansion choices and would attempt to expand into the US unless absolutely had no choice but to do the former.
Last point-No chance there's both a Hamilton and second Toronto team expansion. Both within Leafs Territory, and I think it's unlikely one of the franchises comes into existence, nevermind both.
Toronna mayor wants to bring another team here, I could easily see another NHL team in Ontario, Kitchener/Waterloo area has grown over last 20 years, we almost got a team, Jim Balsillie tried to bring the Penguins here, that would've been awesome
Put a team in Saskatoon, SK. Good hockey town. Currently home to the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. Have an arena, but it is small 15,000 seats) but it could work in the short term while a new NHL quality arena is built. Could fit in right by the Expo Centre. Would give central Canada a team to cheer for.
You know this is the first "central" based team I've seen proposed for a Canadian expansion. Does Saskatoon have any natural rivals in that conference or would rivalries occur from long games during the season.
4th to 6th top candidates with Quebec City as a relocation team. (Milwaukee, Kansas City, Atlanta and San Francisco are 7-10 in no order)
4) Toronto 2nd Team: 6.62 million - Toronto is a vibrant economic city that is hockey crazy and can easily support a second NHL team, but there is no 2nd arena or billionaire owner in sight yet. Scotiabank Arena can be shared with the Maple Leaf’s to start and many rumors of a second arena have been in works for years without any approved plans. Maybe just a matter of time.
5) San Diego: 3.47 million. No NBA team and now no NFL Team and the AHL hockey team leading their league in attendance. The Rich economy, high household income and stable growth rate of 9.4% over the last 7 years - makes San Diego a prime for expansion city but unfortunately no NHL size arena in place but talks have started but no owner is in place. Medium Household Income (2019): $79,673
6) Salt Lake City: 1.29 million (2.76 million within 50 miles) - SLC is a fast-growing city of 12.7% growth, solid, prosperous economy with even faster-growing affluential suburbs of Provo-Orem and Ogden-Clearfield that add 1.33 million more potential fans under 40miles/70km away. Winter city and former host of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics looks the part. NHL size arena exists in Vivint Smart Home Arena the home of Utah Jazz and minor league hockey. Can SLC support NBA and NHL at the same time? Medium Household Income (2019): $74,865
My names won't be good but here are some.
Seattle Rainers (Mt Rainer/Tacoma Rainers MiLB team name)
Hamilton Tigers
Quebec Nordiques (if possible)
Hartford Whalers (if possible)
Portland Seals
Salt Lake City/Utah Bears or Cougars or Milwaukee Generals
Toronto/Ontario Beavers
Houston Aeros (Named after the WHA team)
Kansas City Scouts
I think the league should kick start a European League. The two leagues would operate like MLB and have the European champ play the NHL champ in the Stanley Cup final. The two leagues wouldn't play each other in the regular season but maybe in the preseason have teams from North America do a tour of Europe and vice versa. You could have all-star game of North America vs Europe to determine the home ice for the Cup final.
Indiana should get a team. One reason is there is 3 cities that could support NHL. I think first you put the team in Indy but if it doesn't work throw them up in Fort Wayne. They have one of the highest attendence in Minor league hockey at least the ECHL. I know it would work because Every time I go out now I always see a hockey fan. 4/9 people support hockey in Indianapolis mainly the suburbs. 6/9 people support hockey in Fort Wayne. 3/10 support in Evansville.
if the nhl came out one day and went "oh hey btw we're expanding into Europe with the London Lions coming in in 2025" i think i would have a heart attack
Would the teams you choose change if you didnt look for what makes sense with the current divisions? Say 40 but conference/division restructuring is in play after.
Portland Buckaroo, Oklahoma city Outlaws, Houston Aero, Quebec, Hamilton Bulldog, Hartford what ever
any they call them these city I think best bet for NHL team
My pick from Dave Simpson
I'd say NHL will probably get to 32 or even 36 teams eventually but probably not forty
40 teams but with relegation like in Europe. 20 teams in the NHL and 20 teams in the NHL2.
But then Canada would not have an NHL team ;)
no
PJH 1999 i would actually love seeing promotion relegation in american sports. although it needs to be added to the mls first before anything else
Super Becker Maybe the union could fall to the 2nd division so I could see them win something for once.. :(
I was surprised to see no mention for Kingston ON. The area is quite populous and would be able to sustain its own franchise. Rather than put a second franchise in downtown Toronto, it seems like it would make more sense to expand laterally to Kingston and Hamilton.
I think there would need to be a little bit of shuffling in the Eastern Conference in a 40 team NHL. I'd have Tampa and Florida go to the Metro and Columbus to the Atlantic. Personally I'd rather bring back the name divisions. So in this scenario let's do that.
Patrick: NYI, NYR, NJD, PHL, WSH, PIT, TBL, FLA, CAR, (BALTIMORE? ATLANTA again?)
Adams: BOS, MTL, TOR, OTT, BUF, DET, CBJ, *QUE, *HFD, *TOR2
Norris: CHI, MIN, STL, WPG, NSH, DAL, COL, KC*, HOU*, (SLC* or MIL*)
Smythe: LAK, ANA, SJS, VGK, ARI, VAN, EDM, CGY, SEA*, PRT*
That's stretching things though. I don't think there will ever be 40 teams. I think they should max out at 32, but they need to relocate Arizona and Florida first. I'm good with Seattle getting a team, but I think they should relocate Arizona there. Just like Florida should go to Quebec. Those moves will minimize any shuffling of franchises within their divisions. I would then swap Tampa and Columbus' divisions. I'd give the expansion team to a Central Division market such as KC or Wisconsin. Let them do the homework and see where might work better. This is what that scenario would look like.
Patrick: NYI, NYR, NJD, PHL, WSH, PIT, TBL, CAR
Adams: BOS, MTL, TOR, OTT, BUF, DET, CBJ, *QUE
Norris: CHI, MIN, STL, WPG, NSH, DAL, COL, KC* or MIL*
Smythe: LAK, ANA, SJS, VGK, VAN, EDM, CGY, SEA*
Houston Aeros. No other name would sound right. So much history behind the Aeros name.
Having Leafs / New Toronto / Hamilton / Buffalo all at the same time is death for at least one of them. Not that there isn't a population to support them, but I don't believe there is a will within the GTA to support that many teams. In the end I think either Buffalo or Hamilton would end up very much hurt if all four teams existed.
Bringing back the Nords and the Whalers is a no brainer.As for the other clubs:
Toronto Toros
Houston Aeros
Seattle Sonics
Portland Stumpies ( for some reason the some people in the U.S. refer to the place as Stump City)
Milwaukee Keggers
KC Scouts
Salt Lake Black Bears
Hamilton Hammers
Toronto Mounties
I know I revisited the WHA with some of these nicknames but the WHA was good Olde Tyme hockey.
Hamilton - I'd suggest that "Tigers" would be a better moniker.
I would LOVE to see a team in Alaska! Talk about Home Ice Advantage! Any chance Ever?? 🤣🤣🤣
I love that idea!! It’s past due” Alaska needs a team like now!!! I would call them the Alaska Seals paying homage to the Oakland Seals or they could be called the Glaciers.. 🤷🏽♂️ Polar Bears would be nice also. But Polar Bears is to long of a name..
NHL
Western
Northwest: Calgary, Edmonton, Portland*, Seattle*, Vancouver
Southwest: Anaheim, Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose
Mountain Range: Colorado, Minnesota, Salt Lake*, Saskatoon*, Winnipeg
Mississippi Valley: Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City*, Milwaukee,* St. Louis
Eastern Conference
Southeast: Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Washington
Great Lakes: Buffalo, Columbus, Detroit, Hamilton*, Pittsburgh
Northeast: Boston, Hartford*, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Quebec City*
Atlantic: Montreal, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto
*=possible expansion teams
Big changes if 40 teams: Atlantic, Metro, Central, & Pacific Divisions will split in half. Plus, Nashville moving from West to East.
Scheduling: 2*Conference opponents (30 games) +2*Opposite Conference (40 games) +3*Division Opponents (12 games)= 82 games
Playoffs would be 1st place auto (but not officially locking in top seed), next 4 spots per Conference are based on points, if any wildcard has a higher point total than any division leader the division will be visitors in 1st round.
32 is enough, imagine going your entire life without seeing your team win a Cup, the more teams we have the more likely it is
Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) Shockers: (A “shocker” is a person that harvests wheat, which the province of Saskatchewan is known for.) While Wild Bill Hunter tried and failed to lure the St. Louis Blues there back in the 80s, I feel sorry that the only thing from the province in terms of professional sports is the Roughriders.
Maybe Albuquerque NM because they have no pro teams and people their would love to have one. It might get people exited about Hockey in New Mexico as well.
Seattle Metropolitans (SEA)
Portland Loggers (POR)
Kansas City Scouts (KC)
Houston Colts (HOU)
Utah Grizzlies (UTA)
Milwaukee Mavericks (MIL)
Hartford Whalers (HAR)
Baltimore Bulls (BAR)
Hamilton Bulldogs (HAM)
Quebec Nordiques (QUE)
I if i had to choose 8 new nhl teams beyond Seattle 4 teams in each conference for the west I go with Portland, Kansas City, Houston, and Milwaukee and for the east I go with Quebec City , Hartford, Toronto, and Atlanta.
I personally want to see the NHL get bigger, so the NHL gets more popular.
I think you move Hamilton to the Metro for the same reasons you put the alternate Toronto team there and add Atlanta back to the Atlantic. I prefer Milwaukee over Salt Lake City but Salt Lake City over Portland. I like the picks but I would just move them around a bit.
Could Vancouver island support a team? Greater Vic area seemed quite good in my time there? Just to boost Canadian content ya know. I would like a team in sk here. But between two top cities? There's less than 500 thousand folks? That does seem low strength number. But van island? Even if it is actually lower number? Just seems like more movement? With planes n ferries n mountain bikes? I think they'd be good choice for NHL over sk.