As the Kings continue their search for their new general manager, it appears they kicked the tires on assessing veteran agent Pat Brisson’s interest in the position. However, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic relays (Twitter link) that Brisson is not expected to be interviewed for the role as he doesn’t have any interest in leaving his agent role with CAA. Brisson was believed to be contacted regarding Montreal’s opening a few years ago but wasn’t interested in leaving then either. He has 94 active NHL contracts, per PuckPedia, carrying a combined cap hit this season of more than $266MM so it’s not surprising that he wants to remain an agent.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- There has been interest in pitching another Atlanta expansion franchise and it appears one group is getting close to making a formal expression of interest. In an appearance on 11 Alive News (video link), Vernon Krause, who is putting together an arena project in Forsyth County, stated that his group is in the “home stretch” to present a “completed package” to the league after the playoffs end next month. The city had NHL hockey from 1972 to 1980 before the Flames moved to Calgary. Their second run lasted a little longer, going from 1999 to 2011 before the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg. With Krause stating that his intent is to show his group is “shovel-ready” when it comes to an arena, he’ll be trying to make the case that the third time could be the charm.
- Utah’s AHL team will remain in Tucson for next season, relays longtime team reporter Craig Morgan (Twitter link). However, the Mammoth could be moving their farm team before too much longer. Nevada Sportsnet’s Chris Murray relayed earlier this week that the Reno Redevelopment Agency Board approved a $435MM arena proposal spearheaded by former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, who remains the owner of the Roadrunners. Morgan notes that the Roadrunners are contracted to stay in Tucson for two more years but those might be the final two years in that city.
- Speaking to reporters today including Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that CBA talks are progressing nicely and he hopes to have an extension in place sooner than later. Discussions started earlier this year, well in advance of the expiration of the current agreement in mid-September 2026.
Atlanta does not deserve another NHL franchise. They had two chances and lost both of those teams to other cities. If the NHL is looking to expand, there are several other places that would be more deserving of the opportunity to have a team.
Maybe that’s the best way to expand to Canada. In a few years they will die {again} and move to a Canadian city. NHL won’t openly give another Canadian city a team, so they just start one in Atlanta and then move it there in a decades time.
I really feel like Toronto deserves an NHL team before Atlanta.
Ugh…here’s an idea…how about no expansion teams for the remaining decade. Seriously, it’s not needed right now. Teams are just beginning to recover from the flat cap & teams will finally have cap growth over the next 3 years. Let’s give teams some time to regroup.
Furthermore, Atlanta doesn’t need an expansion team. The Atlanta Thrashers timeframe there was a disaster on so many metrics. It’s simply not a hockey market. Move on already.
I have the answer to more cities wanting a team: restart the WHA!
NHL tweeners need a place to play, and we have it in the WHA. :)
And the WHA teams that got the bump to the NHL when it failed are mostly gone. The Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, and Hartford Whalers all relocated. And many teams folded in their short existence of the WHA. There was talk of a Canadian hockey league when the NHL started having trouble in Canadian markets and it failed to gain much traction. A restart of the WHA likely wouldn’t survive.
I definitely think there’s room for a Canadian second-tier league. Like even the Knights here in London have attendance that isn’t terribly far off an NHL team. Put teams in Quebec City, London, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Kitchener-Waterloo, Kelowna, Mississauga, all these cities that aren’t big enough to host an NHL team, but could absolutely host a smaller team.
If they try to compete directly with the NHL it will fail, but it could give that tier level of player who we would call a tweener a place to play. But what I really don’t want is a 40 team NHL.
That’s what I’m thinking, a secondary league more on par with like the KHL. Or perhaps a second AHL, divided by border. Something like that.
Andrew Poturalski loves this idea!