10 years ago, the NHL welcomed the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets into the fold. It was the sixth expansion draft in nine years, and by that point, NHL fans were pretty used to the process surrounding one of these drafts.
It's been a decade since that last one, though, and here at SB Nation, in the dog days of summer, we've decided to re-acclimate ourselves with the process. Presenting.... the 2010 SB Nation NHL Mock Expansion Draft.
Whether you think the NHL needs expansion or not -- and honestly, most people probably feel like the NHL needs contraction before any type of expansion -- it doesn't matter. This isn't a real exercise, after all. It's just for fun.
Oh, and we need your help. There might even be a virtual trophy at the end.
Here's a loose timeline of how this thing will play out:
- Starting today, and by using the poll at the bottom of this story, help us select the location for the two new teams in our league. We've narrowed down the list of potential cities to Houston, Hamilton, Seattle, Quebec City, Kansas City, Portland and Winnipeg.
- Tomorrow, on Friday, August 26, we'll post the results of the vote. From there, we'll open the voting on potential nicknames for the two selected cities. On Monday the 30th, we'll debut the two new teams and announce which distinguished members of the hockey world will have the chance to run them into the ground.
- Next week, between Monday and Thursday, September 2, our team blogs from around SB Nation will, with help from their communities, debate and finalize their "protected lists" of players that cannot be poached away in our expansion draft.
- Over Labor Day weekend, with all of the protected lists complete and published on our team blogs, our appointed general managers will meet in a basement somewhere and select their teams.
- On Tuesday the 5th, the day after Labor Day, we'll announce those teams, and at some point that week, we'll simulate a series of games between those two teams.
There will be a winner. And a prize. And lots and lots of bragging rights.
So, without further adieu, help us pick the two locations to which our league shall expand. Please only vote for two.
Poll closed.
Check back on Friday for the results.
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SB Nation's NHL Mock Expansion Draft: Help Us Name Two New Teams
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Comments
Quebec and Winnipeg for sure. Canada loves hockey.
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by MVerminski on Aug 26, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions
I almost did that – let Canada have two more. But then went with Quebec and Seattle.
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by Angy on Aug 26, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The city people sleep on is Indianapolis.
If you look at national ratings or even the Olympic Gold Medal game for example, Indy was up there with Hartford and Seattle in terms of ratings.
I think the league’s priority should be: QC, Winnipeg and Hartford (three teams lost to labor issues, etc.), then look into the Kansas Citys and Seattles, Toronto (x2), etc.
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 27, 2010 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Toronto.
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by James Mirtle on Aug 26, 2010 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I totally would’ve voted for a second Toronto team had they been on the list.
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Second team? You mean there’s a team there already?
Seeriously, I took Seattle and Winterpeg.
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by Smoboy41 on Aug 27, 2010 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Seattle and Kansas City!
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Aug 26, 2010 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
For real though, Seattle.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Aug 26, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Portland’s the better choice – and I grew up and hour and a half west of Seattle.
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Then you didn't grow up in Seattle at all.
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by Jeff Nusser on Aug 27, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I went with Seattle cause of the natural rivalry with Vancouver and of course you have to go with Winnipeg. Not surprised to see who is winning.
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by Section 312 on Aug 26, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions
I went with Quebec City & Winnipeg … Canada has been jonesing for a franchise or 2 for the better part of a decade, it’s time they got ‘em … I’m an American
by Dave_is_a_killer on Aug 26, 2010 3:28 PM EDT reply actions
Milwaukee!
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Aug 26, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Better option than Winnipeg.
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by Derek Zona on Aug 26, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m so all for Milwaukee – or Green Bay!
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have not only suggested this but also suggest that the team should be named Old Milwaukee.
P.S. KC and Houston get my picks. Sorry, Canada, deserves means nothing without an owner.
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by John Fischer on Aug 26, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
On board with Old Milwaukee if nickname is Beast.
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by Cory Lavalette on Aug 27, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. French missionaries and explorers came in the late 1600s to trade with the Native Americans.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, I'll say it:
No Hartford? For shame.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 4:04 PM EDT reply actions
Agreed
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by Geoff Detweiler on Aug 26, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s no surprise coming from you, Donny. :oD
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Hence my unbiased selections (WPG & QUE). Keep the WHA love rollin’.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
This
Is it hockey season yet?
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by UZ on Aug 27, 2010 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Houston and Seattle. Not that I don’t miss the Jets and Nords, but it’s just not realistic to me.
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by Doogie2K on Aug 26, 2010 5:02 PM EDT reply actions
Bang on. I’d have voted for Hamilton if I didn’t think our hypothetical Leafs would have a hypothetical aneurysm.
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by Derek Zona on Aug 26, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
These are shameful results so far. Shameful, I tell you.
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by Chris Burton on Aug 26, 2010 5:56 PM EDT reply actions
It’s interesting that Washington State has only 14% (at this point in time) for Seattle. Hey, I’m in PA and I voted for them (along with Quebec).
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by FrankG929 on Aug 26, 2010 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
Quebec City and Winnipeg
Quebec City because outside of the Flyers, the Nordiques were one of my favorite teams as a kid. I think it was the colors.
Winnipeg because I am tired of the constant rumors of a certain team that I shall not name moving back there. Just end the madness and give Winnipeg an expansion team.
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by Justin F. on Aug 26, 2010 6:02 PM EDT reply actions
So you want teams in two of the three worst markets on the list? Given the NHL’s financial difficulties right now, that’s a curious choice.
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by Derek Zona on Aug 26, 2010 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I did not really take that into consideration. Just picked cities I would like to see have teams again based off of my personal tastes.
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by Justin F. on Aug 26, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Once you go to 32 teams,
you’re almost obligated to realign the divisions. Ideally, those will be four eight-team divisions, with the return of Adams, Patrick, Norris, and Smythe.
Looking at the existing teams in light of a four-division alignment:
SMYTHE: LA, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Colorado, Vancouver, Edmonton, Alberta. Nobody has to travel more than one time zone for a game, as all of the Pacific and Mountain teams fit here. You could add Seattle or Portland and bump Colorado east, but that’s just about the only possible fit.
ADAMS: Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo, Boston, NYR, NYI, New Jersey. This is the hardest division to add a team to, as the natural geographic rivalries really prevent any movement. Are you going to break up TOR/BUF, or drive a wedge between the three New York-area teams? Sorry, Hamilton and QC; there’s just nowhere to put you. (Unless you did something really radical, like adding both Hamilton and Quebec City, dropping the TOR/HAM/BUF triumvirate into the Patrick, and then backfilling Detroit to get the Adams back up to 8 members.)
PATRICK: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa, Florida, Nashville. I’m moving the Predators here because (a) the rest of the expansion cities are in Norris territory, and that means moving somebody out of the Central; and (b) it’s movement of a single team. Strictly from a geographic perspective, you could put Columbus and Detroit in the Patrick, and move NAS and ATL to the Norris; but I think the Wings and Jackets are close enough that they need to stay in the same division. In any event, no expansion teams here.
NORRIS: Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, St. Louis, Dallas, [blank], [blank]. Winnipeg, KC, and Houston are all natural fits here. Colorado moves over if one of the Pacific Northwest cities is selected. Kansas City probably has the best setup for multiple rivalries, especially if the Avalanche end up here. The league would probably need to liberalize its revenue-sharing rules to enable a stable franchise in Winnipeg.
On the basis of potential divisional realignments, I’m recommending Seattle and Kansas City.
by BleedBlue42 on Aug 26, 2010 6:44 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
That’s some deep thought right there. Awesome take.
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by Travis Hughes on Aug 26, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the four division setup with 30 teams.
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by Derek Zona on Aug 26, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Seconded.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I went Houston and Seattle because they are the best markets and they fit the four division alignment as well.
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by Derek Zona on Aug 26, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Why do people want to resurrect those division dinosaur names?!
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re seriously aging me, Cassie. Bring ’em back!
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
But they’ve always confused me! (And you’re probably not that much older than I am, Donny.)
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I know that’s been the theoretical argument for decades, but having grown up with NOR/SMY/ADM/PAT, I just don’t buy into it.
I’m also all about bringing back the “original” conference names but have lost some interest in the aftermath of the Gregory Campbell trade.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
No – even when they were in use, they always confused me. I had no idea where any of them were. It made no sense – other than to honor people, of course.
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
So Dallas being in the Pacific makes geographic sense? Or Nashville in the Western Conference?
Love ya, Cass… ;)
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So there are a couple of outliers – nothing’s perfect!
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by Cassie McClellan on Aug 26, 2010 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Minny in the Northwest also keeps me up at night.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you two had these discussions before??
(I’m guessing yes)
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by Angy on Aug 26, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Why should hockey be like the other sports?
Part of the decision to change to “geographic” division names was the misguided impression that more people would be interested in hockey if they could easily tell where the teams were. A dozen years later, we’re still waiting for that needle to move.
Bring back the “named” divisions. The fans will get it. The rest will be too busy watching poker on TV to notice.
by BleedBlue42 on Aug 27, 2010 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank you
Detroit
Chicago
St. Louis
Dallas
Minnesota
There you go.
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by nathaneide on Aug 26, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Because of tradition and…tradition.
(Real Talk: Tradition isn’t a valid reason for doing anything)
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by John Fischer on Aug 26, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
“Tradition” at this point would be awarding 6 new franchises over the next 3 seasons.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, and a lockout. Which will undoubtedly be a strike this time around.
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Hartford and Winnipeg
Bring back the Whale and the Jets!
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by nathaneide on Aug 26, 2010 8:39 PM EDT reply actions
Babych, baby!
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by Donny Rivette on Aug 26, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I was Bob Essensa and Teppo Numminen to drop the first puck.
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by nathaneide on Aug 26, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted for Winnipeg and Hamilton. I nearly voted for KC instead of Hamilton.
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by CapsFan75 on Aug 26, 2010 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
I went with Seattle & Portland. Seattle has to be one of them though.
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by Td1984 on Aug 26, 2010 10:54 PM EDT reply actions
Winnipeg and KC
I would have picked Hartford over KC, but Hartford wasn’t on the list.
The NHL already let a team come into the league that was named after a movie team (Mighty Ducks), so why not bring a team back to KC (who previously had the Scouts, and have a brand new arena, the Sprint Center, that almost pulled the Penguins out of Pittsburgh a few years back) and name it the Chiefs? Slap Shot, anyone?
by njdss4 on Aug 27, 2010 1:41 AM EDT reply actions
Do you have any idea how much the KC NFL team would flip out if that happened?
Plus, the Slap Shot team was called the Charlestown Chiefs.
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by Nael M. on Aug 27, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Can I vote Winnipeg twice?
by Benjamin Massey on Aug 27, 2010 2:15 AM EDT reply actions
I picked Portland and Seattle.
My thinking is that, by adding two teams to the west, the Red Wings and BlueJackets can be shifted to the east. The Stars and Wild can be put in the central division. Portland goes into the Pacific and Seattle in the NorthWest.
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by blurr1974 on Aug 27, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions
i went with Portland and Winnipeg, but Winnipeg and QC are the two leaders right now.
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by missy on Aug 27, 2010 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
Voting closes at 2 PM.
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by Travis Hughes on Aug 27, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions
Eastern, that is.
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by Travis Hughes on Aug 27, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Winnipeg and Seattle.
Winnipeg was a given in my eyes. I’d like the Jets to come back.
I had a hard time between Seattle and Houston, as these metropolitan areas are tops in the United States (Houston at 6, Seattle at 15). However, I had to give this to Seattle because of the northern climate and that the last thing the NHL needs is another Southern hockey team.
I could be wrong about Houston, though; Oklahoma City in the minors and Dallas have been proven to have strong hockey followings. Wonder if the AHL team in Houston is the same way.
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by R_Adragna on Aug 27, 2010 1:22 PM EDT reply actions
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