Hopefully I have set expectations appropriately and this is not a shock to anyone. Right at the very end…like the last 5 seconds. “We’re Not green lighting expansion process today.”
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=626448&catid=35&startTime=0
On the bright side, there was no talk about Quebec, Kansas City or Las Vegas either.
I am going to end this post with 3 of my favorite quotes from 2013:
“The research that I have seen tells me that it would be a very strong hockey market. …Obviously if there were a team in Seattle it would create a decent rivalry with their northern neighbor, namely Vancouver.” -Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner “But I think it’s safe to say we’re very intrigued by the Pacific Northwest generally. Going forward I would expect that to the extent expansion comes into the picture or relocation is needed, I’m sure the Pacific Northwest is going to get serious consideration.” -Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner “With the [new] arena in Seattle, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put hockey back into the Seattle/Portland marketplace and we have to make a commitment to that.” – Tim Leiweke, Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment CEO