Potential NHL Expansion City Makes Big Move Toward Securing Team Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 8:26 PM ET

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is still underway between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, but discussions about the NHL expanding beyond 32 teams continue.

In recent years, the league has added new franchises like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, and most recently introduced the Utah Mammoth following their move from Arizona last offseason.

Some cities that have been mentioned as potential expansion locations include Quebec City, Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta. On Wednesday, Atlanta made a significant move in its effort to bring a franchise back to the area.

According to ESPN NHL insider Kevin Weekes, Forsyth County, a county located within the Atlanta metropolitan area "just signed off on definitive documents for the Gathering at S Forsyth."

"success of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning - is there a new Southern @NHL team on the horizon ?" Weekes posted on social media. "Forsyth county just signed off on definitive documents for the Gathering at S Forsyth. Vernon Krause plans to sit down w Commissioner Bettman. Big step in process here. #HockeyX."

Atlanta has had two NHL franchises in the past, but both relocated to Canada. The Flames played there from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary (Calgary Flames), and the Thrashers were based in Atlanta from 1999 to 2011 before relocating to Winnipeg (Winnipeg Jets).

Back in May, Commissioner Gary Bettman admitted the two previous failures in Atlanta wouldn't have any effect on the NHL coming back for a third time.

"I don't think the prior two visits have any bearing on whether or not we would go back — if all the other pieces that are referred to were put together," Bettman said during a news conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: