Which cities does Wayne Gretzky think should get a new NHL team?

Wayne Gretzky, widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time, recently shared his thoughts on which cities he believes deserve an NHL franchise the most. While Gretzky admits he hasn't thought about it extensively, he named three cities that he believes would make great hockey markets.

Kansas City

First on Gretzky's list is Kansas City. The city is already home to successful NFL and MLB franchises, the Chiefs and the Royals respectively, and Gretzky believes hockey could also thrive there. The addition of a hockey team could potentially bring even more excitement to the city's sports scene.

Houston

Next up is Houston, which already has a hockey presence in the form of the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. Gretzky sees the potential for the Stars' success to help grow the sport of hockey in the area even further, making Houston a strong candidate for an NHL franchise.

Quebec City

The final city Gretzky named is Quebec City, which has a rich history with hockey. The city was once home to the Nordiques, which played in the NHL from 1979 to 1995, before relocating to the States to become the Colorado Avalanche.

Quebec City has since built a new arena, but the NHL has yet to make a move to bring a team back to the city. Gretzky's inclusion of Quebec City on his list may suggest that he would like to see the Nordiques return to their former home, but he admits he has no insider knowledge on the matter.

It's worth noting that while Gretzky's list includes three cities, the NHL may not necessarily be looking to expand at this time. The league currently has 32 teams, with the most recent addition being the Seattle Kraken in 2021. While the league has seen tremendous growth in recent years, it's unclear if there are any immediate plans for further expansion.

Regardless, Gretzky's thoughts on potential hockey markets are sure to spark discussion among fans and analysts alike. With his unparalleled knowledge of the game, his opinions carry significant weight in the hockey community. It remains to be seen if the NHL will act on any of Gretzky's suggestions, but it's always interesting to hear the perspectives of one of the game's greatest players.

Four cities for possible NHL expansion

#1 - Houston

Houston's large and expanding population, strong economy, and thriving sports culture make it an ideal location for expansion. With successful professional sports teams such as the Houston Rockets and Houston Texans already established in the city, a team would naturally fit in.

#2 - Atlanta

Despite Atlanta losing two opportunities to hold a franchise, it should still be considered for expansion due to its growing population and strong interest in sports.

#3 - Quebec City

Quebec City's rich hockey history and passionate fan base make it a prime location for expansion, especially since the city has been eager to regain a professional franchise since the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver.

#4 - Salt Lake City

To fill a logical spot on the map and expand professional hockey to a region in need of a new franchise, Salt Lake City should be considered for expansion in the Pacific division.