NHL Expansion: rules, strategies, and potential new locations

Several experts believe that we could see further NHL expansion in the future. Following the success of organizations such as the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights, the league is reportedly interested in growing further around North America.

"John @Buccigross suggests that #Atlanta and @NHLtoHouston are due for #NHLExpansion 'next time around,' so I'm going to re-propose my dramatic realignment concept. EVERY Canadian team grouped together w/Buffalo (and an empty slot for Quebec). Other US teams in East, West & South." - Drew Goldfarb

If the rumors are to be believed, both Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, may be next in line to receive teams. While Atlanta has already been home to a hockey team on two different occasions, Houston has long been linked to rumors surrounding an NHL expansion.

The rumors have drawn mixed reactions from fans. However, it appears likely that Atlanta and Houston will be the next cities to receive a franchise. Other cities that have been linked to future expansion have been Kansas City, Cincinnati, and a potential return to Quebec City.

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How does an NHL Expansion Draft work?

During the NHL expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken, the new franchise needed to choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for the 2021-22 regular season. The overall contractual value of the players selected needed to be between 60-100 percent of the prior season's upper limit for the salary cap.

The players that eventually made up the roster for the Kraken, as with the Vegas Golden Knights, were selected off the rosters of the remaining teams around the league.

During the Kraken draft, NHL teams were able to protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. Alternately, they could go after eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goalie. They had to adhere to certain conditions in either case.

"34 nhl teams is a ridiculous concept lmao 32 is already more than the other leagues and you want ANOTHER expansion draft?? no thanks lmao" - stina

Any NHL expansion in Atlanta or Houston will likely follow the same style, though the amount of players teams can protect may change.

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Strategy during an expansion draft

One strategy during the expansion draft that the Vegas Golden Knights capitalized upon was to take on expensive contracts from other teams in exchange for draft pick compensation.

In the process, Vegas acquired plenty of draft picks. Additionally, the expensive players they acquired helped the Golden Knights establish a roster of competent NHL veterans, including Marc-Andre Fleury.