The NHL will introduce its 31st team next season, with the addition of Las Vegas, but there doesn't appear to be any urgency to continue that growth.
As the NHL readies for Las Vegas and an expansion draft next June, further expansion talk is on the back burner, according to Jeremy Jacobs, owner of the Boston Bruins and chairman of the NHL's board of governors.
"I really don't (see additional expansion talk). I believe we’re looking for balance now," Jacobs told CSNNE's Joe Haggerty. "We have 16 teams in the East and 15 teams in the West. There isn't as much compelling reason as there was. I think this league is looking for more stability."
That's bad news for hockey fans in Quebec City and Seattle, among other markets.
Aside from Las Vegas, Quebec City was the only other applicant for the NHL's latest expansion process. The Quebec capital recently opened the new Videotron Centre.
"The saying is that 'the best new business is to take care of your old business.' I think it's really important that all of these franchises are strong and stable," Jacobs added. "We've got tremendous balance in our competition today."
Interestingly enough, in October 2015, Jacobs expressed interest in the NHL expanding to Houston, which has an NHL-ready arena in the Toyota Center, the former home of the AHL's Houston Aeros, who uprooted for Iowa in 2013.
As an added benefit, the team would align in the West and have a natural rival in the cross-state Dallas Stars.
As for Las Vegas, the team continues to move forward under the guidance of general manager George McPhee, who recently conducted a mock draft to prepare for the live event next summer.
