New Atlanta arena approved, and PWHL expansion

 Now, I completely disagree on bringing another NHL team to Atlanta. They failed twice, no city has done that when it's comes down to NHL teams. Now, the obvious answer is Quebec because they have the fans and the arena all ready to go. But it seems as the hockey market in the states needs to be expanded for some odd reason. I mean, if Atlanta is going to work, they better make sure they have good management and coaching set in stone. Also, make it a more desirable market. 

But sadly, that's not the way it goes. The arena in Forsyth County has been approved to be built for an NHL team returning to Atlanta, likely named the Atlanta Thrashers. Now if they do return, they need to bring back the iconic baby-blue jerseys. As for their history, I think the Jets should return the franchise history to Atlanta such as the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy along with all their records. As for the Jets, they should receive the history before relocating, and if Arizona does indeed get another team -- I do think they will but not right away -- they have the history they always had there. I think Bettman wants to get this done before retiring. I can already see who Atlanta 3.0 would be selecting from each respective team if the expansion draft happened today, but right now we can only speculate. 

Now, as for Quebec, I think the PWHL needs to put an expansion team there because as it's already unlikely NHL is coming to Quebec in the near future, and the PWHL needs a big market. Big market as in being the hottest ticket in town in a brand new arena. I think it'll be huge for the PWHL and it's the league we need to grow on the side. They also have a rivalry with Montreal, maybe even Ottawa and Toronto. And I think it fills a big void for the absense of professional hockey being gone in Quebec as fans are still hurting since the relocation of the Nordiques. I even think Hartford should get a PWHL team on the side, but that's only because it'd be another perfect place to grow the sport. 

I say this after the PWHL expansion draft. Now, Hilary Knight was rumoured to want to play closer to home and the PWHL is doing it's own kind of rules with the expansion draft such as three players only protected. Hilary Knight being Captain America is a good look for Seattle which is still getting used to professional hockey. I personally like that as they're seeing how their rules work like an experiment for the NHL. But with Hilary Knight likely being the face of PWHL Seattle, and Sarah Nurse being the face of PWHL Vancouver, I think the future is indeed bright for both clubs in the Pacific North West. They built themselves a pretty solid roster and I believe both teams make the playoffs. 

Before I mention the ten places I want to see PWHL next I will say what I'd name both PWHL teams. For Vancouver I would call them: The Vancouver Glaciers. Now the league is naming teams based on things rather than living figures. I'd go with something like the wild animals out in the Pacific North West, but I think Glaciers is a match made in heaven. I wanted to say Vancouver Amazons which was a womans hockey team, also I think Seattle would rock the name way better for obvious reasons. 

For Seattle I would call them: The Seattle Emeralds. I think it's a perfect name for the club in the Emerald State.

As for future PWHL teams this is where I would like to see them.

1. Quebec - I stated above.

2. Philadelphia - One of the best sports towns in the world. Put any sports team there, it'll work. But what I love about the idea of Philadelphia is they're moving the Flyers and 76ers into a brand new arena downtown leaving Wells Fargo without any tenants. Now, if a PWHL team was in Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Arena would have a main tenant in PWHL Philadelphia; although I see the Flyers moving the Phantoms back to Philly if it comes down to this but I would disagree but that'll be another topic for another time. But it also gives the New York Sirens and Boston Fleet a brand new rival. 

3. Edmonton - I think Edmonton is the best hockey city in Canada, yes you heard that right Leafs, Habs, and Jets fans. But if they get PWHL you best bet they're going to keep that franchise there. I also like this idea because it'll be easy for Vancouver and Seattle when it comes down to travel. 

4. Denver - I think it's a perfect spot to put in the west given it's another excellent sports town. But it's also one big footprint for the league. 

5. Calgary - Another big hockey town with a brand new arena in Scotia Place. But what makes me question it is that they'll have four tenants in that brand new arena. But nonetheless, I am more than confident it'll work well. 

6. Los Angeles - Putting a team in California should be a priority, and Los Angeles is the place to begin. I think it opens doors for San Francisco or even San Diego. 

7. Detroit - They have lots of arenas in Detroit, some of them without tenants. But bringing a team to Hockeytown makes too much sense and they already have rivalries with Toronto, Minnesota, Montreal and Ottawa. 

8. Kansas City - An odd choice, and I'd agree. But they have an incredible arena not being used, and like Quebec when the Royals or Chiefs are done for the season it opens a door wide open for sports fans that are board. It also opens a door wide open for interest for the NHL.

9. Orlando - Sure some may question it, but I would think it's unique because you have lots of tourism there for obvious reasons. But the hottest ticket and only one is the Orlando Magic when it comes down to sports. Sure they have ECHL, but I think Orlando has NHL potential and I think before they think about Tampa or Miami they should do Orlando. 

10. Saskatoon - Another odd choice, but it's best to try Saskatoon instead of Winnipeg. In fact, I wouldn't do Winnipeg just yet. But Saskatoon shows great support for the Saskatoon Blades and Saskatchewan Rush, and their arena is the perfect venue. But I like the idea of putting them in non-risky non-present markets. 

HM: Hartford, Houston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Chicago