New news has been released out of New York today as the NHL has decided to expand its league to 36 teams. Each division in the National Hockey league received one of these new teams.
The cities of Halifax, St. John's, and Orlando will represent new teams in the east while Green Bay, Seattle, and Las Vegas will be brand new venues for the NHL in the West. No city has hosted an NHL team in recent memory however, many of these new teams were placed in markets with high potential to succeed, the obvious examples being Las Vegas and Seattle.
Two cities few thought would get an NHL squad were Halifax and St. John's. Both cities are located in Eastern Canada were hockey is not as common. Sources say that the two teams were created to rival one another due to their close proximity. While we cannot confirm this seems the only way Gary Bettman would allow such a move to happen.
The NHL has also decided that, in order to make the teams more equal, a fantasy draft will be conducted. No player is protected which leaves teams with stars, like the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sidney Crosby venerable to be dropped back down to mediocracy.
While owners names for the new teams will be released later, an anonymous source close to Bettman gave Sportsnet an exclusive view at what conference will look like for next season.
Atlantic Division
Team
Halifax Wombats
New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils
North Eastern Division
Team
Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators
Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
St. John's Slushballs
South Eastern Division
Team
Atlanta Thrashers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers
Orlando Ice
Central Division
Team
Chicago Blackhawks
Nashville Predators
Columbus Blue Jackets
St. Louis Blues
Detroit Red Wings
Green Bay Ice Hogs
North Eastern Division
Team
Calgary Flames
Minnesota Wild
Colorado Avalanche
Vancouver Canucks
Edmonton Oilers
Seattle Orcas
North Eastern Division
Team
Anaheim Ducks
Phoenix Coyotes
Dallas Stars
San Jose Sharks
Los Angeles Kings
Las Vegas Yetis
More Updates Soon...
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