Mat Ishiba has expressed interest; presumably the new Coyotes and NBA's Suns would share a new arena:

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/01/...chise.html

No!!

I actually don't hate the idea, I just think the NHL needs to calm down at 32 first, consider any possible relocations, then work towards 34, 36, etc.

If I was in charge, I'd relocate Winnipeg to Quebec (Nordiques) and Florida to Houston (Aeros). I know the Panthers just won a title, but Florida sports teams don't do so hot with attendance and the Lightning are the true kings of Sunshine State Hockey. I also think Carolina should probably relocate but I like them too much to do that quite yet.

After this, I'd expand to 34 with San Francisco (California Golden Seals) and - if I have to - Phoenix (Arizona Coyotes). If they redo the Coyotes they MUST bring back the original designs and colors. The red, tan, and black was terrible. After 34, maybe we get to 36 with Atlanta (third times' a charm) and Kansas City (because why not). Alignment at this 36:

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

Western Conference
Central: Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, California, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas

As much as I think the NFL won't work in Portland, i think that hockey would. It's minor league team has a quality following and has the typical Cascadian cities in Seattle and Vancouver as natural rivals.

(01-07-2025 01:36 PM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(01-07-2025 12:11 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  No!!

I actually don't hate the idea, I just think the NHL needs to calm down at 32 first, consider any possible relocations, then work towards 34, 36, etc.

If I was in charge, I'd relocate Winnipeg to Quebec (Nordiques) and Florida to Houston (Aeros). I know the Panthers just won a title, but Florida sports teams don't do so hot with attendance and the Lightning are the true kings of Sunshine State Hockey. I also think Carolina should probably relocate but I like them too much to do that quite yet.

After this, I'd expand to 34 with San Francisco (California Golden Seals) and - if I have to - Phoenix (Arizona Coyotes). If they redo the Coyotes they MUST bring back the original designs and colors. The red, tan, and black was terrible. After 34, maybe we get to 36 with Atlanta (third times' a charm) and Kansas City (because why not). Alignment at this 36:

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

Western Conference
Central: Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, California, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas

Hockey has failed twice in Atlanta. I doubt the NHL tries again for a third time.

I agree but I've read quite a bit that Atlanta is on the shortlist with Gary Bettman. Whether or not that translates into anything is anyone's guess.

(01-07-2025 05:42 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  As much as I think the NFL won't work in Portland, i think that hockey would. It's minor league team has a quality following and has the typical Cascadian cities in Seattle and Vancouver as natural rivals.

Agreed. Hockey would definitely work there.

(01-08-2025 12:53 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(01-07-2025 01:36 PM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(01-07-2025 12:11 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  No!!

I actually don't hate the idea, I just think the NHL needs to calm down at 32 first, consider any possible relocations, then work towards 34, 36, etc.

If I was in charge, I'd relocate Winnipeg to Quebec (Nordiques) and Florida to Houston (Aeros). I know the Panthers just won a title, but Florida sports teams don't do so hot with attendance and the Lightning are the true kings of Sunshine State Hockey. I also think Carolina should probably relocate but I like them too much to do that quite yet.

After this, I'd expand to 34 with San Francisco (California Golden Seals) and - if I have to - Phoenix (Arizona Coyotes). If they redo the Coyotes they MUST bring back the original designs and colors. The red, tan, and black was terrible. After 34, maybe we get to 36 with Atlanta (third times' a charm) and Kansas City (because why not). Alignment at this 36:

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

Western Conference
Central: Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, California, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas

Hockey has failed twice in Atlanta. I doubt the NHL tries again for a third time.

I agree but I've read quite a bit that Atlanta is on the shortlist with Gary Bettman. Whether or not that translates into anything is anyone's guess.

Both times because of bad ownership. And look at long Bettman fought to keep the Coytoes in Phoenix.

(01-07-2025 12:11 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  No!!

I actually don't hate the idea, I just think the NHL needs to calm down at 32 first, consider any possible relocations, then work towards 34, 36, etc.

If I was in charge, I'd relocate Winnipeg to Quebec (Nordiques) and Florida to Houston (Aeros). I know the Panthers just won a title, but Florida sports teams don't do so hot with attendance and the Lightning are the true kings of Sunshine State Hockey. I also think Carolina should probably relocate but I like them too much to do that quite yet.

After this, I'd expand to 34 with San Francisco (California Golden Seals) and - if I have to - Phoenix (Arizona Coyotes). If they redo the Coyotes they MUST bring back the original designs and colors. The red, tan, and black was terrible. After 34, maybe we get to 36 with Atlanta (third times' a charm) and Kansas City (because why not). Alignment at this 36:

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

Western Conference
Central: Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, California, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas

I'd say to leave both Florida and Winnipeg in place and simply expand to Quebec, Houston, Atlanta, and Phoenix (eventually). It's important for the league to maintain a presence in the largest markets, including Miami. And as you note, the Panthers aren't short on success on the ice lately. Also, San Jose is already in the SF Bay market, so nix the revival of the Golden Seals. Finally, once we get down into the smaller markets, where fan support is more important, I'm sure Winnipeg would have more support than a Kansas City team.

Eastern Conference
Atlantic: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec*, Tampa Bay, Toronto
Metropolitan: Atlanta*, Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

Western Conference
Central: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston*, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah, Winnipeg
Pacific: Anaheim, Arizona*, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Vegas

I imagine they'll move into Houston eventually...just too large of a market. It might even surpass Chicago as the 3rd largest in the country.

I think they'll try Atlanta again for much the same reason. Last article I read on the matter named Atlanta and Houston as top targets.

If we're talking expansion, I wouldn't try Phoenix again anytime soon. Let's see if Salt Lake City works first before we redo Arizona. Three clubs in California is probably plenty. Portland does sound interesting, but going back to Quebec is more intriguing...it's Canada after all.

Beyond Atlanta and Houston, if we're going to add another in the US, is there a reason they can't go back to Hartford?

As a Jets fan, I'm obviously biased. But I would hope they leave the Jets in Winnipeg. We've got a pretty good GM in Cheveldayoff who has been able to draft and develop solid players. The owner is one of the richest men in Canada so if they run on some financial hardships in the future, it's not like it's going to break his bank.

Downsides to Winnipeg are obviously the small market... With a bit under a million people, it's the 8th largest metro region in Canada and one of the smallest NHL markets. Plus the max capacity of the arena is the smallest in the league.

All that said, I think there's enough support for the Jets to sustain them in Manitoba.