#nhl-expansion

#nhl-expansion

After a bid opened in 2015, it was announced in 2016 that Vegas would be welcoming an NHL team and started their first season in the 2017-2018 campaign. Just a few weeks into the Knights first season, the city of Seattle came together with the Oak View Group to renovate KeyArena, making it possible place for an NHL team. A year after that, the NHL approved Seattle as an expansion into the league, with them starting their inaugural season in 2021.

The NHL technically considers the Utah Mammoth an "expansion team" even though for all intents and purposes they are the relocated Arizona Coyotes. So technically this "expansion team" is entering its second season. The last NHL expansion team the Seattle Kraken also made the playoffs in their second season. In 2022-2023 the Kraken finished with a record of 46-28-8 for 100 points. As their broadcasters said during the playoff clinching win they rose from the depths of the Pacific Division to the playoffs.