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Elliotte Friedman Unveils How Salt Lake City Could Become the NHL's Newest Team

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Julien Trekker
December 7, 2023  (3:17 PM)
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The latest discussion about potential new NHL teams has focused on two cities: Salt Lake City and Quebec City. An NHL insider recently shared insights on the likely next expansion city.

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Salt Lake City's Path to NHL Expansion Detailed

In a recent episode of "32 Thoughts," NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman discussed Salt Lake City's prospects for becoming the next NHL expansion city.

Apropos of nothing, the International Olympic Committee bestowed Salt Lake City with «preferred bidder» status for the 2034 Winter Games. Basically, it means the organizing committee enters exclusive talks with the IOC to close the deal. (The official decision will be made next July.) A successful Olympic bid means a new arena for hockey, which makes Utah an even more attractive (and likely) NHL destination.

According to a recent tweet from Friedman, Utah's Olympic bid might ease the NHL's expansion process in the state. Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, has expressed interest in bringing an NHL team to Utah, suggesting that Salt Lake City could soon host its own team.

Salt Lake City vs. Quebec City: Who Will Be Chosen?

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Both Salt Lake City and Quebec City are strong contenders for the NHL's next expansion. Quebec City already has an arena suitable for an NHL team, and there is a strong community interest in seeing a team return. However, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league seem less inclined to add another team in Quebec.

Salt Lake City is viewed as a more likely choice, especially if it hosts the 2034 Winter Games. This would be Utah's first NHL team, potentially broadening the league's footprint in the U.S.

While there's no official confirmation on the timing or certainty of another NHL expansion, the league's growth suggests that new teams could be on the horizon.

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