The NHL hasn’t expanded since 2000 when the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild came into the league. Over the past couple of years the league has been exploring expansion by one or more franchises. With the latest league realignment the NHL created unbalanced conferences, opening the door for two teams to join the West to re-balance.
The NHL has been interested in expanding to the three locations of Las Vegas, Quebec City, and Seattle. Only Quebec City and Las Vegas officially submitted expansion proposals last July. Recently with the weakening of the Canadian Dollar it has been reported that Quebec City’s expansion bid has been turned down by the league.