Analyst raises massive problem with rapid NHL expansion; more teams expected soon

NHL expansion has been ongoing since 1967, with the most recent to join being Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Seattle Kraken in 2021 and the Utah Mammoth in 2024.

Now, six more cities have shown interest in supporting an NHL team, the most recent being Austin Texas, whose bid has been growing in momentum and popularity, as the potential NHL franchise would be the first major sports-team in that city.

Yet, not all are in favor of expansion. In fact, one NHL insider claims that ever since modern expansion, contenders' lineups are filled with holes and are lacking in depth, a concern that cannot disputed.

With the growing number of NHL teams, talent is spread thinly across 32 teams. Given current cap restrictions, contenders now spend approximately 40% of the cap on 4-5 star, core players, with the remaining 60% spread across the remainder of the roster, most of which are depth players. Adding more teams would only exacerbate this problem.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said at the June 2025 Board of Governors meeting that 'there are no pending applications and the NHL is not seeking to initiate a formal process at this point.'

That may be so, but it was reported that in February of 2024 a group from Omaha met with NHL officials to make a pitch for expansion. New Orleans was also reported to have met with the NHL in New York City, while in 2024 and March of 2025 sources claim Houston had discussions with the NHL concerning expansion.

Other cities that have shown a serious interest in making a pitch for an NHL franchise are Atlanta, Indianapolis, and New Orleans.

A study published in April, 2011 by the University of Toronto's Mowat Center for Policy Innovation concluded that Canada could support twelve NHL teams. Ironically, there are no reports of a Canadian city making a bid for expansion.

The report stated that Canadian franchises do very well, pack the buildings, make for great TV and have great revenue streams. This, of course, cannot be questioned, if economics is the primary factor for expansion, and I would be naive to suggest it isn't. Yet, at some point, the interest of NHL players and fans need to be considered.

What is good for the NHL, however, remains to be seen. More teams are good for revenue, but dilute the talent pool; the right balance of money and talent is a matter for far smarter minds than mine to unravel.