NHL expansion on the horizon: which cities could host the next teams?
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Hockey is on the rise, and there's no better sign of that than the rapid growth of the NHL. The league is expanding, and the value of new franchises is climbing fast.
While the NHL hasn't officially announced plans for more teams, NHL player agent Allan Walsh recently shared his thoughts that expansion is on the horizon. During his podcast, Walsh confidently predicted that not just one but two new franchises would be joining the league in the future.
The NHL is going to expand,» Walsh said. «It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Two more teams. The NHL will go to 34 teams.
Walsh is convinced that the value of NHL franchises is set for a massive jump.
I'm telling you right now, write it down-NHL franchise values will double in the next three years.
If he's right, the price for new owners to buy into the league with an expansion team is going to be steep. Walsh predicts that the franchise fee for the next two expansion teams will hit $1.5 billion, which is more than double what the Seattle Kraken paid.
Should the NHL officially expand, it's likely Quebec City, Houston, Kansas City, Portland, and Atlanta for a third time would be the top candidates.
Given Walsh's deep connections in NHL circles, his confident prediction likely means we could see these changes happening sooner rather than later.
Given Walsh's deep connections in NHL circles, his confident prediction likely means we could see these changes happening sooner rather than later.
Source: Hockey Feed
Two more expansion teams are coming to the NHL.
Two more expansion teams are coming to the NHL.
| POLL | ||
2 SEPTEMBRE | 117 ANSWERS NHL expansion on the horizon: which cities could host the next teams? Which city do you think is most likely to be chosen for the next NHL expansion team? | ||
| Quebec City | 44 | 37.6 % |
| Houston | 53 | 45.3 % |
| Portland | 8 | 6.8 % |
| Other | 12 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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