Major Development Could Launch Process for a Second NHL team in Toronto
A new development regarding arena construction has led to speculation that a city near Toronto could find themselves in the running for an NHL team.
The NHL has recently been in the habit of adding new teams to their League. Utah Hockey Club, Seattle Kraken, and Vegas Golden Knights have all entered the League over the past decade as Gary Bettman wants to expand.
There's several talks about other cities getting a team, and big named places like Houston, Texas and Miami, Florida have all been linked.
But thanks to some new additions to the city, the NHL could be in the running to add a new team from Toronto's neighboring city.
Hamilton, Ontario Could Very Likely Get (And Deserves) An NHL Team
Hamilton, Ontario; basically a stone's throw from Toronto is a town that not only could see an NHL team in the future, but they deserve it too.
Formerly home of the Hamilton Bulldogs AHL team, the City is rich in history and has its claws firmly entrenched in the history of the League.
New reports show that Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre is expected to have their $280M renovations completed around the Fall of 2025, and with a brand new ice rink, and a rabid fanbase, it could be a great moneymaker for both the City and the NHL.
Hamilton is home to legends such as Ken Dryden, Dave Andreychuk, Dick Irvin, and Pat Quinn, but is also home to NHLers such as Darnell Nurse, and Arber Xhekaj.
It would also lend itself to some potentially historic rivalries. Not only will Toronto and Hamilton fight for supremacy in terms of Southern Ontario dominance, there will also be a big rivalry with the Buffalo Sabres, who are also only an hour or so away.
With how seamless the Toronto and Buffalo fans tend to follow each other, adding Hamilton would give the hardcore and diehard fans in the area a way to have their own rivalry much like the New York trio of the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils.
While it will be a long shot for Hamilton to get a team given that Gary Bettman is dead set on making sure the American market is catered to first. But he has a chance to bring hockey to a passionate city, and make himself a heck of a lot of money if he does so.
