(10-07-2026 05:18 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Are there any NHL teams with arena issues that would be in the potential market for a relocation?

It looks like a lot of arenas were built in the 90s and early 00s so I would be shocked if there wasn’t a push to see major renovations or replacements for some of these buildings soon.

Unsure about arena issues but last year's numbers for attendance had Utah, Winnipeg, and Anaheim under 16k. Ignoring Utah, I'm a little surprised by Anaheim but I have heard there are issues with Winnipeg. I wouldn't be surprised if they "jetted" elsewhere. Maybe Arizona...again? And then expand with Houston and Atlanta. 34 is wonky but it could work.

I'd propose divisions/conferences used for scheduling but the playoff be a straight 16/18/20/whatever with each division getting 3 autobids and the rest going to at-large bids and all however-many-teams seeded #1 to #whatever regardless of conference or division.

Eastern Conference (18 Teams)
Atlantic: Atlanta, Boston, Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, New York, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
Metropolitan: Buffalo, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Washington

Western Conference (16 Teams)
Central: Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas