The Atlanta Thrashers could be coming back to the NHL

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Finnegan Frost
September 2, 2024 (11:14)

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is making headway in regards to making the NHL one of the most rapidly expanding professional sports leagues in the world.

Elliotte Friedman's recent 32 Thoughts blog post has ignited electrifying conversation in the NHL, highlighting the league's desire to expand its demographic in the United States, specifically in Atlanta and Houston.

Rumors within hockey circles have long identified Atlanta and Houston as prime candidates for NHL expansion. Both cities boast thriving sports cultures, state-of-the-art arenas, and untapped fan bases eager for a taste of professional hockey. Atlanta, in particular, presents a compelling case for a NHL franchise. The city's rapid growth and diverse population create a fertile market for the league's expansion ambitions.

The NHL's expansion plans are gaining momentum, and while the exact timeline remains uncertain, the league's trajectory is clear. Atlanta and Houston have emerged as the early frontrunners, while Quebec City faces an agonizing wait for its NHL dreams to materialize.

Mark Spector, a prominent hockey insider recently chimed in on the conversation on X (formally known as twitter) stating that an expansion team in the GTA (greater Toronto area) would be far more successful than bringing the Thrashers 2.0 back to Atlanta.

There has also been conversation about bringing a hockey team to the Saskatchewan Market. In terms of a prairie city expansion, Saskatoon has a relatively large demographic and the infrastructure to sustain an NHL franchise. You would also be remise not to throw Quebec City into the mix as well.

Quebec City's hopes of reclaiming the Nordiques appear increasingly bleak. Despite the city's rich hockey heritage and vocal fan base, the NHL's current priorities lie elsewhere.

As it stands, if the NHL were to add another expansion team to the NHL, the Canadian market is yet again not up for consideration.

source: NHL Trade Rumor
NHL EXPANSION INEVITABLE: QUEBEC CITY MISSES THE CUT