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NHL expansion bids are being discussed in California

By Darrell Samuels

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL expansion is a hot topic at the Board of Governors meeting in Pebble Beach.

The NHL Board of Governors meeting is taking place this week in Pebble Beach, California.

According to NHL.com, there is talk of possible further expansion of the game to Quebec City and Las Vegas. It is a hot topic among NHL owners, management and Commissioner Gary Bettman. The NHL head boss, Bettman, has said that he is not opposed to expansion in time for the 2017-18 campaign but he would not making any promises.

"“The Board will need to vote at such point in time that we decide there is something to put to the Board to vote on, which will be after the Executive Committee begins and finishes its deliberations and is prepared to make a recommendation,” Commissioner Bettman said. “We haven’t set a date. We’re not on a timetable.”"

Bettman has said that there are only two cities being considered for possible expansion, Quebec City and Las Vegas.

However, there’s still a lot of details to be sorted out. Before fans can relish the game being played and dream of a Stanley Cup championship in either of these two cities, many questions need answers. Some of the issues relating to expansion are the NHL Expansion Draft, the NHL Entry Draft as well as possible relocation of the existing franchises.

The perfect situation is to have 16 teams in each conference, if both cities were successful in their expansion bid. Right now, there are 16 teams in the Eastern Conference while only 14 teams compete in the Western Conference. Assuming both Quebec City and Las Vegas are granted NHL expansion franchises, adding both cities into the NHL landscape would still make it uneven as there would be 17 teams in the East and 15 in the West.

Commissioner Bettman’s consideration of these cities is promising. The future does look bright for both cities, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

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