The Expansion Gamble: NHL's Risky Eye on Growth
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As the league considers moving beyond 32 teams, the push for markets like Houston and Atlanta raises questions about stability and greed.
OPINION: The National Hockey League is currently operating a 32-team footprint, but as Sportsnet first reported, the conversation has already shifted toward further growth. During a September 14, 2026, appearance by Elliotte Friedman on the FAN Hockey Show, reports surfaced that the league is eyeing proposed locations such as Houston and Atlanta, potentially pushing beyond a 34-team threshold.
By flirting with these expansion possibilities before the current alignment has stabilized, the NHL risks overextending its product. The pursuit of large markets is a clear play for increased revenue, but pushing toward 34 teams—or more—without a proven track record of stability is a gamble driven by corporate greed rather than sporting logic.