NHL Expansion: 4 more destinations league should consider expanding to

With the NHL’s addition of teams in Vegas and Seattle in the last decade, it’s no secret that the league has an interest in expanding in North America.

If the league does push towards the expansion of more franchises, there are several obvious options. Check out this article for four expansion destinations.

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Four destinations NHL should expand to next

Here are the four destinations:

#1 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee would be a great destination for expansion in the future for several reasons.

First, the city has a strong hockey culture, with a long history of supporting local amateur and professional teams, most notably the Nashville Predators AHL Affiliate, Milwaukee Admirals. Second, Milwaukee has a large and growing population, with a diverse and affluent fan base that could support an NHL team.

Lastly, the city has a modern arena, the Fiserv Forum, which is already home to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and could accommodate another team. Milwaukee is located in the heart of the Midwest, making it a prime location for potential rivalries with nearby teams like Chicago and Minnesota.

#2 New Orleans, Louisiana

If the NHL doesn't make it to Houston, New Orleans could be a great expansion destination due to several reasons. First, the city has a rich sporting culture and is known for its passionate fans, which could translate to a successful hockey market.

Second, New Orleans is a major metropolitan area with a growing population, providing a potential fan base for a new NHL team. Lastly, the city has a modern, multi-purpose arena, the Smoothie King Center, which could host an NHL team.

Finally, New Orleans is located in a region with few hockey teams, providing the potential for new rivalries and expanding the league's reach in the Southern United States.

#3 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Hamilton is a compelling expansion destination due to several reasons. Firstly, the city has a strong hockey culture, with a history of successful junior and minor league teams.

The Hamilton Tiger Cats are among the CHL’s largest and most passionate fan bases. Secondly, Hamilton has a large and passionate population that could provide a supportive fan base for a new hockey team.

Third, the city is located near Toronto, one of the largest hockey markets in the world, which could provide opportunities for local rivalries and increase exposure for the team.

Fourth, Hamilton has a modern arena, the First Ontarioio Centre, which could accommodate a team. Overall, Hamilton could be an excellent addition to the NHL due to its hockey heritage, potential fan base and proximity to other major markets.

#4 Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis has several factors that make it a compelling expansion destination. Firstly, the city has a growing population and is a hub for sports enthusiasts, with a strong fan base for football, basketball, and auto racing.

Second, Indianapolis has a modern arena, the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which could accommodate an expansion team. Third, the city is located in a region with a limited hockey presence, which could provide opportunities for new rivalries and increase the league's footprint.

Lastly, Indianapolis has a history of supporting minor league hockey teams, including Wayne Gretzky’s first professional organization in the 1970s, indicating that there's interest in the sport. These factors make Indianapolis a potential candidate for future NHL expansion.