In an unexpected turn of events, Gary Bettman silences expansion rumors and shuts down all speculation
Photo credit: USA today
In an unexpected turn of events, NHL comissioner Gary Bettman silenced all expansion rumors and speculation during an interview.
There was a general belief among the hockey community that the NHL was seriously looking to add more teams to the League. Indeed, last week, insider Andy Strickland revealed in a post on X that the NHL owners should meet soon to approve the start of the expansion process, with Houston and Atlanta leading the charge.
Unfortunately for the fans who were hoping to see more teams in the NHL soon, it looks like the League isn't planning on expanding for the moment.
On Sunday night, the Comissioner Gary Bettman stated in an interview during an event promoting Amazon Prime and it's ascension in the hockey scene that all the expansion rumors are false.
Here's what he said to the Toronto Star:
"Everything that's been written in the last week is categorically wrong. We're not going through an expansion process. And other than updating the board on Oct. 1 as to places that have expressed an interest, there's nothing else that's going to be done on expansion."
"Everything else was either speculation, or I don't know what to call it, but it had no basis in fact."
"Everything else was either speculation, or I don't know what to call it, but it had no basis in fact."
Many cities around North America really want to get an NHL team. Outside of Houston and Atlanta, we heard places like Quebec and Kansas being reportedly very interested in joining the league.
The demand is there, and the League is clearly interested, but it's just not happening right now. Like we saw with the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Utah, things can happen quickly if everyone's on board and on the same page.
Thanks to Bettman's declaration, we finally have confirmation, and the speculation can finally stop for the moment.
| POLL | ||
24 SEPTEMBRE | 40 ANSWERS In an unexpected turn of events, Gary Bettman silences expansion rumors and shuts down all speculation Do you think the NHL will expand to 34 teams before 2030? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 85 % |
| No | 6 | 15 % |
| List of polls | ||
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