According to a recent tweet from Friedman, Utah's Olympic bid might ease the NHL's expansion process in the state. Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, has expressed interest in bringing an NHL team to Utah, suggesting that Salt Lake City could soon host its own team.
Both Salt Lake City and Quebec City are strong contenders for the NHL's next expansion. Quebec City already has an arena suitable for an NHL team, and there is a strong community interest in seeing a team return. However, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league seem less inclined to add another team in Quebec.
Salt Lake City is viewed as a more likely choice, especially if it hosts the 2034 Winter Games. This would be Utah's first NHL team, potentially broadening the league's footprint in the U.S.
