Expansion Vote Not Expected Until at Least December

NHL

The Seattle Totems, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Firebirds, Seattle Seals. These are just some of the expected team names that will be brought to the table when a Seattle expansion team is created. Though, don’t expect this to happen too soon.

The Deputy Commissioner of the NHL, Bill Daly, says a vote on a Seattle team wont occur until at least December. The expectation is that team would start playing in 2021-2022.

“We haven’t set a timeline and so it will really depend on whether things fall into place and everything gets done. We’re not in any rush, as [NHL Commissioner] Gary [Bettman] has said numerous times. It’s more their timeline than our timeline. If everything gets done and everything is teed up, then it’s possible we could have a vote, but there really is no rush because this team is not playing any time soon if it’s granted a franchise.”

Key Arena renovations

One thing that was tying the group up was the arena, something they just resolved.

With the group coming to an agreement with the city to renovate KeyArena, it’s only a matter of time. Groups have been fighting to bring the NBA back to Seattle, but it looks like the NHL may be first.

Golden Knights immediate success improves chances of Seattle

Another expansion team coming to the NHL is a very intriguing idea, especially with how Vegas played this season. Just like Vegas, you would expect the Seattle team to compete right out the gate. Many teams are already preparing for the expansion draft and who they would give up.

If or when an expansion team happens, there is also talk of teams moving divisions. With Seattle being a clear pacific team, that would make 9 pacific and 7 central teams. Teams that would make sense to move would be Edmonton, Calgary, Vegas or Arizona. It is also possible that they would implement Seattle into the Central Division to prevent stirring things up too much.

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Photo Credit

Photo Courtesy of  Howard Ignatius