Expansion - Hockey Wiretap

Atlanta Group Formally Requests NHL Expansion Franchise

Mar 12, 2024 4:35 PM

The Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group, fronted by former NHL player Anson Carter, has formally requested that the NHL commence with an expansion process aimed at bringing a franchise to the greater Atlanta area for a third time.

Atlanta was previously home to the Flames (1972-1980), who relocated to Calgary, and the Thrashers (1999-2011), who moved to Winnipeg.

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Tags: Expansion, Misc Rumor

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Jazz Owners Prepared To Bring NHL Team To Utah

Jan 24, 2024 3:01 PM

The owners of the Utah Jazz said Wednesday that they have the immediate ability to bring an NHL team to Utah and requested the initiation of an expansion process.

The Smith Entertainment Group said in a news release that it would use the Jazz's arena as an interim home for an NHL franchise. SEG CEO Ryan Smith said the company is "100% focused on making this happen as soon as possible."

Talks between Smith and the league have been going on since 2022. The NHL said in a statement it appreciates the interest.

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Tags: Expansion, Misc Rumor

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Mexico City On Short List For NHL International Game

Oct 12, 2023 4:27 PM

The NHL has Mexico City on a short list of locations for future international games.

Steve Mayer, chief content officer for the NHL, told ESPN's "The Drop" podcast this week that "Mexico City is on a short list because our teams are very interested in going there and exploring that market."

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Tags: Expansion, Misc Rumor

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NHL Open To Another Expansion Franchise In Atlanta

Sep 12, 2023 5:48 PM

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly is optimistic a third franchise in Atlanta would yield better results than two previous failed expansion teams in the market.

"I think some of the challenges that we've seen in the past in Atlanta can be overcome," Daly told ESPN at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour on Tuesday.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said that expansion isn't currently a priority for the league.

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Gary Bettman: No NHL Expansion In Near Future

Mar 15, 2023 2:19 PM

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is confident as ever that the league is in a good place, with no plans to see it expand further in the immediate future.

"We're not in an expansion mode right now," said Bettman on Wednesday, after wrapping up the league's annual GM meetings. "There continues to be a number of people, entities and cities expressing interest in having an NHL franchise where they don't have one, places like Atlanta, like Houston, like Quebec City. But it's not really something, at least right now, that's anywhere close to the front burner for us."

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Tags: Expansion, Misc Rumor

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Kraken Open With Preseason Win Over Canucks

Sep 29, 2021 5:07 PM

Seattle made its debut on Sunday night with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the preseason opener for both teams. With Seattle's home arena putting the finishing touches on its construction, the Kraken have taken their first preseason on the road to three junior hockey venues in the state.

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Tags: Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, Expansion, Game Recap, Team Achievement

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Seattle Kraken Creating Hot Market For Jersey Sales

Sep 23, 2021 12:58 PM

The expansion Seattle Kraken are shattering NHL jersey sales records.

Sales, in fact, are the highest in league history for a newly released jersey in its first five days of availability, according to the NHL. Which means Seattle jerseys are doing brisker business than the expansion Vegas Golden Knights did when their jerseys were released to the public in 2017.

"Vegas set a pretty high bar. The Kraken are blowing through it, hourly. It's a hot market right now," Brian Jennings, NHL chief brand officer, told ESPN on Tuesday.

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Tags: Seattle Kraken, Expansion, Team Achievement

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Kraken Draft 30, Roster Highlighted By Mark Giordano, Jorden Eberle

Jul 24, 2021 1:25 AM

The Seattle Kraken have been unleashed.

Chris Driedger is poised to be the Kraken's starting goaltender next season, while the roster is highlighted by former Flames captain Mark Giordano, longtime Islanders winger Jordan Eberle, former Penguins forward Brandon Tanev, a pair of veteran defenseman in Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak and two-time Stanley Cup-champion Yanni Gourde from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The selections were made Wednesday at the expansion draft for the NHL's 32nd franchise, which will begin play this coming season.

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Tags: Seattle Kraken, Expansion, Misc Rumor

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Kraken Will Not Select Canadiens' Carey Price

Jul 23, 2021 2:09 PM

The Seattle Kraken will not select Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price in the expansion draft, a source told ESPN on Wednesday.

Price, who just led Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final, waived his no-movement clause to become available for the Kraken's expansion draft, which is being held Wednesday night.

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Tags: Seattle Kraken, Montreal Canadiens, Expansion, Misc Rumor

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Kraken Getting FA's Adam Larsson, Chris Driedger

Jul 24, 2021 1:21 AM

The Seattle Kraken used their exclusive negotiating window with unrestricted free agents to start building their roster ahead of Wednesday night's NHL expansion draft reveal.

Sources confirmed to ESPN that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson has agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal with the Kraken and that Florida Panthers goalie Chris Driedger has agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million deal with Seattle.

Both players will count as Seattle's selections from those teams in the expansion draft.

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Tags: Seattle Kraken, Expansion, Free Agent Rumor

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Kraken Plan For Wednesday's Expansion Draft

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Stars Won't Protect Goalie Ben Bishop

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Kraken Arena To Be Ready By Mid-October

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Kraken Name Dave Hakstol Head Coach

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J.T. Brown To Retire As Player, Join Kraken As TV Analyst

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Seattle Kraken's First Deal Is With Luke Henman

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Seattle Kraken Officially Become 32nd NHL Franchise

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Bruce Boudreau Interested In Coaching Seattle Kraken

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Seattle Kraken Name Jason Botterill Assistant GM

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Seattle Kraken Remain Patient Over Coaching Search

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Seattle Kraken Expect Training Center To Open Summer 2021

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Report: Seattle Kraken In No Hurray To Hire Coach

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Gary Roberts Joins Seattle Kraken As Consultant

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Kraken Devour Knights' Expansion Launch Marks

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Kraken Hire Dave Baseggio As Pro Scouting Director

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Seattle Kraken To Debut In 2021-22 NHL Season

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NHL Seattle Considering Nickname, Logo Amid Virus Outbreak

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Seattle's New NHL Franchise Releases Ticket Prices

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Seattle Franchise Gets AHL Team In Palm Springs

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New Seattle Arena On Track To Open Summer 2021

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