The NHL Is Looking To Expand, And It Might Not Be To Canada

In light of the financial triumphs of recent additions like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, the league is toying with the idea of extending its scope beyond the current 32-team setup.

The league's future growth could be considerably invigorated by a new contender in the form of an unexpected California location. Though the specifics regarding the NHL's target number of teams remain shrouded in uncertainty, the Golden State's potential entry has certainly sparked a buzz.

The proposed site brings with it a 16,000-seat arena - a number that might initially appear modest. Just for context, the T-Mobile Arena, home to the Vegas Golden Knights, boasts a capacity of 17,500 seats, not including substantial standing room.

The Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken's home base, houses 17,150 fans.

Furthermore, the largest existing NHL arena outpaces this proposed venue by over 5,000 seats.

The new venue may also offer a potential lifeline to the Arizona Coyotes, currently the westernmost southern team, should they opt to relocate.

The Coyotes' tenure at the Mullett Arena has an extension clause, allowing them to stay until the 2025-26 season. Thus, if circumstances push the Coyotes out of their Arizonian home, this promising California location could offer a welcome refuge.

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