Deputy commish Bill Daly teases US NHL expansion with current CBA expiring soon

Elliotte Friedman has reported that NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly discussed the likelihood of the league expanding in the future. Daly suggested that expansion is coming but was careful not to commit to any specific timeline.

During the European Player Media Tour in Prague, the deputy commissioner said that the NHL is seeing genuine interest from potential markets, and the league is holding meetings and gathering information. However, he made it clear that the expansion will take place "at the appropriate time."

“Doesn’t mean that it’s imminent, doesn’t mean that it's going to happen in the next year or so,” Daly said.

Daly also touched on the idea of linking expansion to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement kicking off in 2025-26. But he cleared the air around the possible connection between the two.

“I don’t think the two are connected currently. I don’t think that’s how we view it or are approaching it. It will happen when it’s ready to happen,” he said.

Regarding the number of teams, Daly didn't specify whether 34 or 36 teams would be the maximum but indicated that there would be a limit. He also mentioned that the decision to expand isn't solely up to him and commissioner Gary Bettman., as it will involve the league's ownership group.

He pointed out that it's much more business-focused than it was in the past, with owners focusing on new franchises to increase the NHL's value rather than just adding teams for the sake of it.

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Bob Daly confident in talent pool to accommodate future NHL expansion

During the same interview, Daly also addressed concerns about the talent pool and if it can support more teams in the future. He expressed his confidence in the ‘off the charts’ talent in the league.

“The quality of the talent on the players’ side is better that it's ever been and deeper than it's ever been. I don’t worry in terms of dilution of talent. Skill level is off charts, the league becoming younger and younger … not concerned about it.”

When asked about the expansion fee, Daly hinted that they have a specific figure in mind but didn't provide exact details.

“Do I know what that number is? No,” he came clear.

Daly mentioned that the NHL currently operates in fewer markets than other major professional sports leagues in the U.S. He also referenced the success of recent expansions in Seattle and Vegas, which have shown that the league could create competitive teams right from the start.