The National Hockey League is on the brink of a dramatic transformation, one that could reshape the sport’s landscape for decades to come.

Behind closed doors, bold new plans are quietly taking shape—plans that promise to bring the thrill of professional hockey to untapped markets and redefine the league’s identity on a continental scale.

With whispers of imminent expansion and speculation swirling about which cities will be granted the next franchises, fans across North America are left wondering what the future holds for their beloved game.

Recent statements from respected insiders have only added fuel to the fire, hinting at a vision that goes far beyond tradition and challenges the very core of hockey’s heritage. As the league’s leadership sets its sights on new horizons, familiar cities may soon find themselves at the center of this high-stakes power play, while others risk being left behind.

At the heart of it all stands NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, whose ambitions could leave a lasting mark on the sport.

What cities are poised to make history, and which loyal fanbases may be overlooked once again? The answers—and the deeper motives driving this seismic shift—are more surprising than you might think.

Read on to discover the full story behind the NHL’s next chapter.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

Photo credit: NHL

The future of the National Hockey League could be redefined in the coming years.

According to Sportsnet analyst John Shannon, NHL expansion is not only imminent but already underway. In a recent statement, he suggested the league could welcome two new franchises by 2030, bringing the total to 34 teams.

Shannon believes the next wave of expansion would begin with the return of hockey to Atlanta, as early as 2028. This would mark a third attempt for the Georgia city, which saw the Flames relocate to Calgary in 1980 and the Thrashers move to Winnipeg in 2011.

Despite those failures, Atlanta’s rapid growth and renewed interest in professional hockey could convince NHL leadership.

He also mentioned Houston and Phoenix as potential destinations, though with a major caveat in Arizona’s case-a new arena would be essential to relaunch a team in the desert.

Strategic Growth of Hockey in the Southern United States

The proposed expansion fits into a broader vision: to strengthen hockey’s presence in commercially promising markets.

John Shannon: Re expansion: I think in the next five years we’re gonna be at 34 teams; I suspect we’re gonna see Atlanta come in let’s say 2028, and then Houston or Phoenix, if Phoenix gets a new arena, in 2030 – Inside Sports

Houston, a booming metropolis without an NHL team despite having a ready-to-use arena, ranks among the most logical candidates. Phoenix remains in the mix as well, but only if a new arena is built.

Behind these ambitions lies Gary Bettman’s apparent intent to leave a lasting legacy. However, this direction also highlights the league’s ongoing disinterest in bringing a team back to Quebec City, which once again appears to be excluded from the expansion plan.

As the NHL continues to push its borders southward, the idea of a 34-team league is no longer fiction but rather a structured, long-term plan.