The NHL is back in expansion talks for the third time in the last ten years. Several years ago, it would have been insane to discuss any market that wasn’t a bonafide success. With the proven success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, investors aren’t afraid to take a risk. Let’s look at a few ways the NHL could expand by two within the next few years.

Atlanta, GA and New Orleans, LA

At first glance, this seems like an oddball combination for expansion. One market has failed at the major level twice due to bad ownership, and the other has only been as high as the ECHL.

Atlanta is one of the best off markets in terms of expansion. It is one of the largest markets in the southeast, and the NHL is the only team out of the big 4 that doesn’t house a team there. Currently, The Gathering at South Forsyth is currently under construction right in the heart of where Atlanta’s hockey community resides, and there are two ownership groups currently vying for the bid to join the NHL. Another case that can be made for the market is that every single ‘Thrashers Night’ that has been held for the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators has been a massive success for the organization.

As for New Orleans, it would work with the right owner, and a strong team to start. New Orleans is a major league city, and can be successful within the sport, but there has to be a strong season off the bat to solidify the team’s spot, and not end up with their future being determined year by year like the Coyotes. It’s going to be tough, but if a determined investor can get that team running at a strong pace immediately like Vegas or Utah, they will be fine.

Québec City, QC and Phoenix, AZ

Quebec City, and Phoenix, two markets desperately vying for one more chance at a spot in the NHL, would be easy markets to throw teams in. Both have arenas ready to go, and both have branding and uniforms ready to go whenever they rejoin the NHL.

The only problem with these two, however, is that they aren’t new markets by any means. While it makes sense to bring back markets that the fans want to see playing again, it doesn’t add any new fans to the sport. The NHL would be looking more towards Atlanta, Houston, etc.

It would be cool, and I would be happy to see Montreal’s historic rivalry come back. I would also love to see the return of the best uniforms in the whole sport. The problem is—good luck finding owners for both markets.

Atlanta, GA and Houston, TX

The most likely of the three to happen is Atlanta and Houston. Both are major metropolitan areas within the Southern United States and have been pretty much the guaranteed expansion teams for some time now.

Although it is unknown whether the Toyota Center is up to spec, it would be hard to argue against the return of the Houston Aeros to the major league level. It’s a market that was considered to be the lock for the Arizona Coyotes before going to Utah, it has seen success with the Rockets, Astros, and Texans, and overall it hasn’t seen a top-level hockey team in 50 years. It could be a chance for the NHL to leave their mark in a large chunk of the southern U.S., and gain many new fans.

However, the only downside to Houston is the questions surrounding the arena situation, and if Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is still willing to purchase the $1B expansion fee.