NHL news: Canadiens owner weighs in on Austin, Houston expansion possibilities

During Tuesday’s board of governors meeting, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly announced that the league will start assessing Houston and Austin as candidates for future NHL expansion.

Texas has had a presence in the NHL for over three decades after the Minnesota North Stars relocated down south to become the Dallas Stars, but in the near future, there could be a second NHL team in the Lone Star State.

Speaking on the subject, Canadiens team owner Geoff Molson indicated that the process is “just an exploration at this stage” and “it’s an important decision”, via Greg Wyshynski on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun has reported that an agreement has been reached on a $3.5 billion total investment fee, but that a final decision is still half a year away.

“Bettman said they’ve agreed to a $3.5 billion total investment fee and closing arena build if they go ahead with expansion to Houston or Austin with the Friedkin family,” LeBrun wrote on X.” All part of the terms sheet which has been agreed to. Bettman said the process will take six months to decide if it’s a go or not.”

If the NHL were to add a 33rd club, they would become the biggest League in North America, officially surpassing the National Football League. The NHL’s two most recent expansion clubs are the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, the latter of whom has already advanced to the Stanley Cup Final three times in nine years, winning it all in 2023.

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