As rumors swirl throughout the hockey world, the NHL finds itself at the center of a brewing storm that could reshape the league as we know it. With speculation mounting about a dramatic expansion plan, fans and analysts are left questioning what the future holds for their favorite teams—and the sport itself. The league’s commissioner recently addressed the media amid tense CBA negotiations, but behind the scenes, even more shocking details are emerging about the scale and speed of the proposed changes.

Financial motives appear to be driving the conversation, with whispers of staggering expansion fees and lucrative deals for team owners. Yet, the potential consequences reach far beyond the balance sheets. What would a larger league mean for the quality of play, the playoff race, and the overall health of professional hockey? Could the NHL’s rapid growth spark a new golden era, or might it risk undermining the very foundation of the game?

As insiders debate the merits and pitfalls of adding multiple new franchises by 2030, one thing is clear: the league stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming months will have ripple effects for years to come. The full story behind the NHL’s expansion ambitions is both more complex—and more surprising—than you might think.

NHL Commissioner addresses media during CBA talks with NHLPA

Photo credit: USA Today Sports

Reports continue to circulate around the NHL that suggest the league will expand from its current 32 franchises to 36, and possibly more by the year 2030.

Reason for rapid expansion could be financially motivated

The NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement with the NHLPA is expected to include a large amount of cash for owners, and this could be a factor in a future expansion, according to NHL.com

For instance, the expansion fees for the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken totaled over $1 billion.

Potential expansion fees for new teams could be as high as $2 billion USD. This revenue is currently not included in Hockey Related Revenue (HRR) shared with players, according to reports.

At some point, however, the NHL must consider factors other than financial ones when making decisions about the league’s health and its continued success.

Adding more teams requires more players, potentially leading to a short-term dilution of the talent pool, as players who might not have made the cut in lower leagues or bigger markets now find roster spots.

Also, the current playoff format features 16 teams and is considered effective. However, with 36 teams, maintaining the current format without reducing the chances of teams making the playoffs could lead to an expansion of the playoff field, which could lead to a viewership and TV ratings.

All said, the decision to expand is a difficult one when all factors are considered. The NHL must weigh the need for more revenue against the possibility of diluted talent. Rapid expansion may not be the solution, in my opinion.