NHL Expansion: Players Support Houston as Top Choice

The National Hockey League (NHL) continues to expand its reach, and a recent poll reveals that players are endorsing Houston as the premier candidate for the league’s next expansion team. Conducted by The Athletic, the survey of 118 anonymous NHL players shows a clear preference for Houston, which received 48 votes, significantly outpacing other contenders. As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston has never hosted an NHL team, making it a compelling choice for future expansion.

Current Poll Standings

The poll results indicate that Houston is the clear front-runner, with Quebec City coming in second place with 25 votes. Other cities in the running include Arizona with 15 votes, Atlanta with nine, and Austin with four. The players’ preferences reveal a small number of cities that they believe the NHL should consider, focusing primarily on these few clear options.

Houston: A Market Ready for Hockey

Despite its size and rich sports culture, Houston has yet to land an NHL team. Historically, the city has a hockey pedigree—hosting the Houston Aeros in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1978, and later in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2001 to 2013. One player expressed enthusiastic support for Houston by saying, "I think Houston is a great market. Right in the middle, and there's a lot of corporate money there. It's a great city so I think that would be a top one." This positive sentiment could indicate a readiness in the market for NHL hockey.

Quebec City: Long-Awaited Return

Quebec City, a longtime favorite among fans, sits in the second position in the votes with 25. Many supporters have dreamt of the return of hockey since the Quebec Nordiques relocated to Colorado and became the Avalanche in 1995. The Nordiques were a storied franchise in the WHA and later the NHL. One player articulated the nostalgic desire for Quebec to reclaim its team, stating, "Quebec deserves a team again." However, skepticism about the viability of this scenario exists, with another player voicing concerns and saying, "I'd love for it to be Quebec City, but that's probably not happening." This reflects a potential divide between fan sentiment and the realities of franchise relocations and ownership decisions.

Arizona’s Potential Resurgence

Arizona, which garnered 15 votes in the poll, historically had the Phoenix Coyotes, later known as the Arizona Coyotes. Entering the NHL in 1996, the Coyotes were a stable team until they moved to Utah in 2024. Players have shared fond memories of their time in Arizona, indicating that there is still support for a return of the team. The NHL has expressed its willingness to reactivate the Coyotes franchise within five years if substantial progress for a new arena is made, highlighting the potential for a new beginning in the Grand Canyon State.

Atlanta: The Controversial Candidate

Atlanta’s inclusion on the list of potential expansion cities raises eyebrows since it has previously hosted two NHL teams: the Atlanta Flames and the Atlanta Thrashers. The Flames relocated to Calgary in 1980, while the Thrashers made their move to Winnipeg in 2011, becoming the Jets. Despite a rocky NHL history, interest remains, and recent reports suggest that the NHL is awaiting a concrete proposal before considering Atlanta for a third stint in the league. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski remarked on the growing attention on both Atlanta and Houston as potential expansion franchises.

The Future of NHL Expansion

With the league's recent expansions—bringing in the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 and the Seattle Kraken in 2021, the NHL currently stands at 32 teams. The idea of further expansion arises significant discussion about the quality of the league's product versus its quantity of franchises. Should the NHL decide to grow, Houston, Quebec City, Arizona, and Atlanta emerge as viable candidates to enhance the league's footprint in North America.

Conclusion

The poll results from The Athletic indicate a strong desire among players for the NHL to look toward expanding into markets like Houston and Quebec City, where hockey has the potential to thrive. While other cities such as Arizona and Atlanta remain in discussions, it’s clear that the conversation around expansion is gaining momentum. Whether the NHL will act on this enthusiasm and support remains to be seen, but as the sport continues to grow, opportunities for new teams are likely on the horizon.