Significant step in motion towards a potential expansion team!

Earlier this month, it was reported that Smith Entertainment Group — owners of the Utah Jazz in the NBA - had asked the NHL to “initiate an expansion process” to bring a team to the state.

However, the South Forsyth Project in suburban Atlanta wants to be the city that gets the next NHL club and on Wednesday, insider Kevin Weekes reported that “Forsyth County is about to green light The Arena project, a significant step towards a potential pro Hockey team. Stay tuned for updates as buzz around this groundbreaking development continues.”

There hasn’t been any new report on NHL commissioner Gary Bettman looking to expand the league, though the last two expansions that have taken place in place in the NHL have shown great success with the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, which has generated more interest from potential owners.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith has previous mentioned how he’s keen on bringing a franchise to the area and now enters in direct competition with Atlanta, who has been focused on getting the Thrashers back.
However, the market was never great in Atlanta, and some have to be wondering why it would be any different this time around.

This is a bold move from Atlanta, who could make a return on the NHL map. The NHL first ventured to Atlanta in 1972 and stay until 1980 before the Flames relocated to Calgary. Then, the Thrashers entered the league in 1999 but became the Winnipeg Jets in 2011.

This significant step from Atlanta is also putting some pressure on the Arizona Coyotes, who need to figure out the team’s future location shortly…This is also another blow to Quebec City, who’s been fighting to get the Nordiques back in town for several years despite Bettman’s lack of enthusiasm for another hockey club in Canada.

This will be quite interesting to following especially now with Utah and Ryan Smith getting in motion to land the 33rd team in the NHL and Atlanta getting thing settled to get that arena project going to host its own club.

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