After looking at the reasons why Kansas City should get an NHL team and looking at possible targets for relocation, let’s face reality. KC still isn’t NHL ready, or the NHL isn’t ready for KC.

The NHL doesn’t have plans for expansion. And it seems the league, especially Gary Bettman, has no appetite for relocation. Bettman has made the promise to the city of Tempe, Arizona that if they build a new arena for the Coyotes, they will get a 30-year commitment for the Coyotes to stay put (it’s odd how I haven’t heard ownership make that same comment). While the Senators are for sale, that’s contingent on the team staying put in Ottawa.

And about those other teams I focused on being possible targets for relocation. The Flames look like they’re closing in on a new deal with the city for an arena, plus they’re committed given that they relocated their AHL affiliate there. The Sharks look to have a little bit of a post-COVID bump in attendance (a little…not a lot). They’re also committing to rebuilding under new GM Mike Grier as everyone except Hertl is said to be available. They also are committed to their city, having just opened a new arena with the AHL affiliate. That leaves the Sabres. This team, while not great, seems to be improving slowly. They also look like they’ve had a bit of a bump in attendance, although I admit that’s going by games I’ve viewed on TV, I don’t have hard numbers to back that up. So, those teams I thought could possibly be movers now seem like they’re staying put.

Also, cities like Houston and Quebec City look more attractive to the NHL for any possible relocation or future expansion. There is someone in Houston interested in bringing a team to town. In Quebec City, there is the facility and proven support for an NHL team. Kansas City doesn’t seem to have any local person interested in bringing a team to town that has the financial capability to do it, and we are now on the clock with our NHL-caliber facility as it is now 15 years old (half way to talk of needing a new building). So, what’s next? Do we just give up on the NHL dream and stick with ECHL hockey? Well… My opinion is KC should be home to an AHL team. So, in my next blog, I’m going to talk about why an AHL team could work here