{"id":20381,"date":"2023-05-06T00:02:54","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T13:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wolfgangsport.com\/?p=20381"},"modified":"2023-05-06T15:02:28","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T04:02:28","slug":"nhl-relocation-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wolfgangsport.com\/nhl-relocation-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Teams Could Suffer NHL Relocation? 2023 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the teams that are facing NHL relocation? If the league doesn’t add expansion teams<\/a>, it may look at relocating one of the existing 32 teams.<\/p>\n

NHL Relocation<\/h2>\n

The most recent NHL relocation was the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg in 2011. The Seattle Kraken joined the league as the 32nd team in 2021, so it’s unlikely the league will expand any time soon.<\/p>\n

With relocating an existing team being the most likely option, which current teams are facing relocation?<\/p>\n

6. Carolina Hurricanes<\/h3>\n

The Carolina Hurricanes have been the subject of NHL relocation rumors for quite some time. Arriving in the city in 1997 at the expense of the Hartford Whalers’ relocation, the Hurricanes have rarely made the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.<\/p>\n

Ranked as the fifth least valued NHL franchise, markets such as Houston and Portland could be very appealing for owners. The Hurricanes have however turned historically poor attendances around and are now one of the best.<\/p>\n

In 2021 the Hurricanes also extended their lease at PNC Arena until 2029. By then the arena will be 30 years old and they’ll need to look at a solution if they want to continue to stave off relocation rumors.<\/p>\n

5. Buffalo Sabres<\/h3>\n

The Buffalo Sabres are a team facing possible NHL relocation mostly because of the small market they’re in. The NFL’s Buffalo Bills have had a history of being in discussions for relocating, and the former team the Buffalo Brave played in the city for eight seasons before relocating in 1978.<\/p>\n

At the end of the 2022-23 season the Sabres missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season. Having the longest playoff drought in NHL history isn’t going to help the Sabres’ chances of staying in the city and questionable draft selections has just made things worse.<\/p>\n

While Buffalo still remains a hockey town a popular city for NHL relocation is nearby Hamilton in Southern Ontario. The Sabres are the third least valuable franchise<\/a> making NHL relocation an attractive option for owners.<\/p>\n

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The Buffalo Sabres will miss the playoffs for 12th straight season, tied with the New York Jets for the longest active drought in pro sports.https:\/\/t.co\/SqeodYLb5z<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IMTxN97gTH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 12, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n