Further Confirmation Emerges That the NHL Will Expand to Atlanta ‘Imminently'

Despite Gary Bettman confirming that the NHL wouldn't expand soon, further details about the NHL returning to Atlanta emerged, suggesting it could happen imminently.

Around a month ago, in an interview, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that while the League received interest for expansion teams, he still waited for someone to fill all criteria before taking it to the executive committee and the board:

'We're getting expressions of interest. We've talked to a couple of groups. There have been some civic leaders that have been in with people who are expressing interest in owning a team and creating a facility. We start with the four basic criteria: ownership, market, arena and what it would do to enhance the league and make it stronger.

When somebody wants to make the case and come in and puts together all of the pieces, we'll listen to it. If it makes sense, I'll take it to the executive committee and then the board.'

Now, it appears that the Krause Group, in Atlanta, voted to file the documents to make a formal proposal to the NHL to bring a team back to the state.

The owner group made the announcement on X, and the renowned player agent Allan Walsh confirmed it would mean the NHL would return to Atlanta in a few years: