Sooner or later, most likely the ladder, the NHL will expand past 32 teams. A couple of Texas teams are in the running to be the next expansion team in the league. Many hurdles, and likely many years will have to pass. But the commissioner, Gary Bettman and the rest of the league are dead set on adding more teams.
Many fans are saying that 32 teams are enough, or even too many. Some people will also complain about asymmetrical divisions. Whether you’re for or against expansion, it’s inevitable. There are pros amongst the cons (such as talent dilution) for Stars fans in addition to adding a second team in the Lone Star state.
Houston Aeros in the NHL?
South East of Dallas, Houston has a history in hockey. There’s a cult favorite following in the old Houston Aeros. An AHL team spanning 20 years (1994-2013). Bouncing around back and forth between serving as an affiliate for the Stars (2004/2005 NHL lockout season), and the Minnesota Wild (2001-2004, 2005-2013).
This does not guarantee that if the NHL lands in Houston, the team will automatically be named the Aeros. Until it’s all carved in stone, there’s always that chance that they could go a different team name. In all likelihood though, if the NHL lands in Houston they’ll be named the Aeros. Hard to imagine the league fumbling on the team name, or even the old green, wheat, and red color scheme.
Also while the Aeros would have a similar color scheme to the Wild (if the team comes to pass) nobody can really complain about the colors cutting too close to another team when the Tampa Bay Lightning did their rebrand, looking like the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2011.
Austin is getting looks too
NHL team number 33 could be a lot closer to Dallas (or Plano) down the road. No pun intended. Texas capital, the city of Austin, has a bid being placed by the same group trying to get a team in Houston. This would give the city it’s lone major professional sports team. All other major professional sports teams reside in Dallas (or one of its suburbs), San Antonio, or Houston.
One major concern would be for the minor league affiliate to Dallas; the Texas Stars of the AHL. The city of Austin has been home to Texas since the 2009-2010 season. That’s a very long time to stay in one city for an American Hockey League team. It often seems like AHL teams relocate, or swap NHL affiliates by the year. Texas may have to relocate from Cedar Park if this happens. But it would give Dallas an instate rival closer to home.
Likely later than sooner
There’s been some talk this summer about expansion. Given the NHL’s trajectory, it’s going to happen. Odds of another team being added in the next three years are pretty slim. In the meantime Houston, and Atlanta are the two front runners to land the NHL’s next franchise.
Sometime in the 2030s we’ll likely be seeing another team added to the league. Too many business logistics ranging from arena deals to fan support. It’ll probably be more than one team being added in the next decade. When the NHL does an expansion,there’s usually at least one more team to follow a few years later. The Seattle Kraken debuted just four years after the Vegas Golden Knights entered the league.
Photo credit: Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Whether it’s in Houston or Austin, a second team in the state feels inevitable. Whenever the NHL decides to add another Texas team to the league, the Lone Star State rivalry will be a lot of fun for Stars fans. You can bet that they’ll be a member of the central division too. Even if there’s a future realignment as the NHL adds more teams, they won’t have ing two Texas teams in separate divisions.
Featured photo: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports
Discover more from Dallas Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tags: #Austin #Dallas #DallasSports #dallasstars #DALSN #DALSportsNation #NHL #TexasHockey Aeros Houston Texas
Categorized:Stars