8:31 AM The Winnipeg Jets might not be the new kid on the block for long. Via expansion or relocation, another city/region (or two) should benefit from acquiring an NHL franchise in the not too distant future.

Southern Ontario, Kansas City, Seattle, and Las Vegas are reasonable options, ESPN.com’s Craig Custance suggests Quebec City leads the pack of potential candidates.

10:48 AM Now that the NHL’s Board of Governors have approved a four-conference realignment plan, there are talks of expansion already taking place. With the two seven-team and two eight-team conference format, expansion might make good sense.

ESPN.com’s Craig Custance tweeted ”Realignment gives league plenty of flexibility with Phoenix. Also makes it nice and easy to add two more teams if they decide to expand.”

David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period proposes the league could start discussing expansion as early as this summer. And TrueHockey.com’s Andy Strickland suggests two new teams could take root north of the border.

“League source ‘don’t get caught up in two conferences having 7 vs two having 8 teams’ … NHL may expand to 32 teams and all 4 will have 8 … My guess is Quebec and a second team from Toronto will eventually join …”

Kansas City and Seattle are also considered potential candidates.


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