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It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the start of training camp, but there’s still plenty to discuss on the hot stove front. Player moves and coaching changes are usually what draw the speculation. However, the focus on of this NHL rumours piece is on the league’s possible expansion. There are still plenty of moving parts before things are finalized. However, we could see the league adding two teams sooner rather than later. This edition of NHL rumours deals with prospective cities that could be in the hunt for a team. We even focus one state that seems to be locked in for a franchise. All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change. NHL Rumours One State Locked in as Possible Expansion City Rumour: We’re catching up with the latest NHL expansion rumours. One state seems to be a sure thing to get a new team with either Houston or Austin as the likely candidate. Analysis: The league does seem symmetrical with the eight teams in four divisions. However, the call to grow the league and raise revenue will get more players into the league. We’ll start off with a report from The Athletic’s Chris Johnston about possible landing spots. Johnston mentioned that a team seems to be penciled in for the State of Texas. The only current team in the Lone Star State is the Dallas Stars. However, it will likely have a built-in rivalry with a new in-state rivalry. Bill Daly, who is the deputy commissioner of the league, said that either Houston or Austin will likely get the 33rd team and 34th team would likely not be far behind. Daly added that the team would likely start play for the 2029-30 season. Both Houston and Austin do have a history with hockey teams. Houston had the Aeros franchise that played in the WHA, IHL, and AHL. The legendary Gordie Howe played there with his sons. Austin has been the home of the Stars’ AHL franchise. What it Means David Alter of The Hockey News mentioned that Austin is possibly in play. The Texas capital city is probably the backup plan in case Houston falls through as a target. Austin only has MLS side Austin FC as its only professional major sports team. However, Houston seems to be the priority for the league. On a recent edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, insider Elliotte Friedman said that the league would likely want to get expansion done before the next United States television deal comes up at the end of the 2027-28 season. Freidman stated that adding Houston and likely Atlanta would make the NHL a more attractive television property. Both cities are growing and are big television markets. Houston is the sixth-largest TV market while Atlanta is the seventh-biggest market according to this year’s rankings. Adding one or both cities would be massive for raising the league’s profile. It also would be another Southern United States hockey team to add to the roster. Commissioner Gary Bettman has a mission to add teams in warm weather climates. There’s the usual chatter of cities like Quebec City, Phoenix, Portland, and other locations that are waiting in the wings. Some fans would like to keep the league at 32 for quality of play and other reasons. However, money talks as always. It seems like a matter time before the league adds more franchises. Main photo by: Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports/Imagn Images NHL Rumours: Latest on Talks Between Quinn Hughes and Minnesota Wild NHL Rumours: Multiple Teams Expressing Interest in Canadiens Defenceman NHL Rumours: Latest on Talks Between Adam Fantilli & Columbus Blue Jackets