Gary Bettman's big NHL move? Why expansion could change everything
Photo byAs the Stanley Cup Final gets ready to drop the puck, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is poised to deliver his annual state-of-the-league address. There's plenty for him to boast about: successful international tournaments, labor peace, and a smooth return to Olympic ice.
And yet, lurking beneath the congratulatory tone is a bigger storyline—one that could reshape the league's future. Expansion talk is heating up, and while the billionaires are circling and the owners smell a payday, the NHL might be skating dangerously close to a mistake it doesn't need to make.
Expansion talk returns as NHL boasts record stability and growth
Gary Bettman
will undoubtedly flash his trademark smug grin as he fields questions about expansion. He'll insist the league is merely evaluating opportunities and that any moves would be considered carefully.
But few will be buying that line.
The reality is, expansion is already in motion. And why wouldn't it be? Expansion fees are exempt from being classified as hockey-related revenue, meaning owners get to pocket the cash without sharing it with players. It's essentially a massive, league-wide cash grab—and it's hard to resist.
Add to that the roaring success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, plus the smooth transition of the Coyotes franchise to Utah, and suddenly expansion looks more like a sure bet than a risky play.
Potential owners in underserved markets are ready to pay big for a team—and a foothold in a larger real estate game.
More teams, same cup: Competitive balance could be at risk
But here's the problem: the NHL already has 32 teams. In 1991, there were just 21. And even though the number of franchises has ballooned, the Stanley Cup is still awarded to only one. Sixteen teams make the playoffs, the same as always—meaning the odds of a team making a deep run are worse than ever. Expansion only makes the postseason harder to reach and raises questions about league quality.
There's chatter about playoff format tweaks—maybe even a play-in round. But that would drag the season deeper into summer, colliding with NFL and NCAA football and burning fans out. Hockey in July? That's not the win it sounds like.
Expansion might pad owner pockets, but it risks stretching the league too thin, both competitively and logistically. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. So don't do it, Gary. Not this time.
Also read:
Top NHL prospect Matthew Schaefer returns from injury ahead of 2025 draft
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