LAS VEGAS - As expected, the National Hockey League will formally begin the process to look into expansion franchises.
After the concept was rubber stamped by the league's board of governors on Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he expected interested parties to submit formal bids within the next month.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the earliest expansion teams could begin playing would be the 2017-18 season.
Las Vegas, Seattle and Quebec City are believed to be the leading candidates for expansion.
On the subject of Las Vegas, Bettman said prospective owner Bill Foley accumulated more than 13,000 season ticket deposits over the past several months.