NHL denies report of expansion team coming to Seattle by 2017

SEATTLE -- A sports business news journalist who follows the NHL very closely says Seattle is one of four cities expected to have an NHL expansion team by 2017.

Howard Bloom covers sporting and business news for sportsbusinessnews.com. He reported in a tweet that the NHL was coming to Seattle. Bloom tweeted:



However, according to French-language TVA Sports, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly denied reports the league is looking to expand.

"It's not in our plans," Daly told TVA sports, all in French. "There's absolutely nothing new on that"



The NHL last expanded when the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota WIld joined the league in the 2000-01 season.

We spoke with Bloom this morning about his report. He says the NHL is looking for additional dollars and Seattle makes sense.

First of all, Seattle has a rich hockey history.

"Seattle has the tradition of junior hockey," Bloom said. "I think it is very important to understand you had successful junior hockey teams in that market. And of course the geographical location to Vancouver. And some of the western Canada cities so it works very well.”

Bloom went on to say the the commissioner of the NHL was just in town visiting in the Emerald City.

Bloom said, "We all know that Gary Bettman has been to your great city and Gary Bettman doesn’t go anywhere unless he has a sense of purpose for being there."

Finally, Bloom talked about the Memorandum of Understanding regarding a new arena in Seattle. He thinks city leaders should entertain a change.

Bloom said, "Look, it’s pretty simple Seattle. If you want to have a major winter sport in your market, the NHL is knocking on your door then you’re going to entertain the people that are coming to you."