Friedman Makes a Major Statement Regarding NHL Expansion
Ever since the Arizona Coyotes lost a vote that would have seen a new home of the team built in Tempe, the NHL has run wild with rumours of where the team might be going and who is next in line when the league decides to expand again. Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman believes he has the answer.
"Very Real"
According to Friedman, the chatter around a new team in Atlanta is very real and gaining momentum. Friedman states if a new arena can be built in Alpharetta, the city may have its new team. Alpharetta is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Third Time's a Charm?
As many hockey fans already know, a new team in Atlanta would not be the first, or even second time the NHL has tried expanding to the city. The Atlanta Flames existed from 1972 to 1980, when the team was moved to Calgary. The Atlanta Thrashers played in the NHL from 1999 to 2011, before relocating to Winnipeg to become the Jets Version 2. In both cases, attendance was an issue, but so was the way the team was managed.
There's been too much talk about Atlanta lately from credible sources to ignore the rumours. It seems the NHL is at least looking at the city for potential expansion. The big task will be getting the right group behind it.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 5 | 340 ANSWERS Friedman Makes a Major Statement Regarding NHL Expansion Can NHL hockey work in Atlanta? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 27.9 % |
| No | 199 | 58.5 % |
| Not sure | 46 | 13.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 22, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Cutter Gauthier | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Alexander Killorn | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jason Robertson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jackson Lacombe | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Noah Cates | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Trevor Zegras | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sean Couturier | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jamie Drysdale | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Noah Juulsen | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Joel Eriksson Ek | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Zach Hyman | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Marcus Johansson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Erik Karlsson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Evgeni Malkin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael McCarron | 1 | - | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||