NHL open to an expansion team in Atlanta for third time

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

NHL open to trying an expansion team in Atlanta for third time

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/12/23

The NHL has tried — and failed — to put an expansion franchise in Atlanta before.

But NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly believes based on how the landscape of the league has changed over the last few years that if the league tried a third time, things would be much different.

"I think some of the challenges that we've seen in the past in Atlanta can be overcome," Daly told ESPN. "Having said that, particularly with the success of the Vegas and Seattle expansions, there are more people who want to own pro hockey teams.”

Per ESPN, Alpharetta and south Forsyth County have been discussed as potential sites for a third Atlanta-based team.

The newest executive for the proposed $2 billion arena and entertainment district known as the Gathering at South Forsyth made one thing clear this week in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — they want an NHL team. https://t.co/dOPTUaW3wA
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) September 10, 2023

The Atlanta Flames lasted just eight years (1972-1980) before being moved to Calgary. They never finished above third in their division. The Atlanta Thrashers lasted a bit longer (1999-2011), but they were ultimately moved to Winnipeg and became the Jets. They finished second or better in their division just three times in 12 years.

The NHL’s last two expansion teams — the Vegas Golden Knights (2017) and Seattle Kraken (2021) — have been overwhelming successes thanks to more favorable expansion draft rules.

Because of the way the expansion draft is structured, Vegas and Seattle have expedited the roster-building process, which in turn, has led to quicker revenue returns thanks to fielding teams that were essentially competitive immediately — both of which would surely appeal to any potential owner wanting a third go at an Atlanta-based NHL team.

"I think times have changed pretty dramatically,” Daly added. “And the market demographics have changed pretty dramatically since the first time we went there and then again in 1999. I think a lot of bigger businesses are in Atlanta [now]."

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