How NHL expansion to Houston or Austin effects the NY Islanders and the other 31 franchises

The NHL has never been shy regarding expansion, adding two new franchises from 2017 to 2021, as the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken brought the league total to 32 teams. 

While on the NHL’s European media tour, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that the league will soon expand even further.

“We’re moving forward in Texas,” Daly said, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic. “I expect ultimately we’ll be in a position to bring something to the board to get their view on it. So, that’s proceeding at a pace. We’ll probably get together with the group again in September and kind of see where they are in the process and what they want us to do to help, to the extent they need anything.

“If we finalize that and the board approves it, then (at the) end of this calendar year we’ll have an announcement that we’re expanding to either Houston or Austin.”

Not only will the league add a 33rd franchise that could be ready to take the ice for the 2028-29 season, but a 34th team is likely coming further down the road, with Phoenix and Atlanta being two potential destinations. 

With expansion franchises come expansion drafts. The NY Islanders, who entered the NHL in 1972, also took part in an expansion draft, building their roster in teh early years. But in the next few seasons, if these two new franchises do get approval, the Islanders will send two players packing with nothing in return.

Then comes the issue of diluting the talent pool across the league. As things stand, it seems like every team is searching for bottom-pairing defensemen or a third-line center come the trade deadline. While the Islanders seem to have a plethora of middle-6 forwards and bottom-pairing defensemen, each team will be forced to play what are now considered AHL-level players.

Expansion means more money for owners, and as an owner of what is considered to be a small market team, Islanders’ majority owner Scott Malkin would be all in favor of putting more money in his pocket.

Expansion is coming, meaning teams will look different, the playoffs could be revamped, and a new look for each team's schedule.

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