The Colorado Avalanche might have a solid timeline for the arrival of its next Central Division neighbor.
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve explored the topic of NHL expansion. In particular, we’ve drilled down on that conversation here at Mile High Sticking because the team would likely be Texas-based. As such, it would mean the Avalanche could be getting a divisional rival.
A recent report by David Alter in The Hockey News discussed an interview with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. The interview touched on the next round of expansion. Specifically, the league prefers Houston over Austin as the host city for its 33rd team.
Nothing to write home about there.
But what seemed really interesting was the potential ETA for the new team. According to Daly, the plan is to close the deal somewhere in early 2029, with the new club potentially hitting the ice for the 2029-30 season.
“We hope to have definitive agreements in place that would commit the franchise as early as December this year. And we expect that they’ll be able to begin play as early as the 2029-30 season, closing the transaction early 2029.”
Yikes!
If the deal does indeed go through, it will open up numerous logistical issues. Mainly, would this new Houston-based team actually play in the Central? Or would the NHL consider placing the team in another division?
Central Division likely home of new NHL Team
There’s little doubt the NHL would have any qualms about having two Texas teams in the same division. If you look at the Metro, there are actually four teams close to one another. The two New York teams, New Jersey, and Philadelphia are all within relative proximity to each other. And they all play in the same division.
So, what’s to stop the NHL from placing the next team in the Central?
The issue will be how the schedule will work out. The league moved to 84 games this season partly to help balance the overall schedule. Adding a 33rd team would create a lack of symmetry in the Western Conference.
It could also mean creating a bit of an unfair situation for the Avalanche.
What would Houston-Colorado rivalry look like?
The idea of a Houston-Colorado rivalry is a little out there. Houston once had a pro hockey team, the Aeros, which played in the defunct World Hockey Association. Then, the team had a revival, playing in the AHL until 2013.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies played in the late 70s and early 80s in the NHL, but never actually ran into one another. So, there has never actually been a Houston-Colorado matchup, at least at the NHL level.
That’s why it would certainly be a novel thing to see this new potential rivalry unfold. While the most immediate rivalry would be Houston-Dallas, the idea of seeing the powerhouse Avalanche tango with a new challenger could be something truly worth watching.
Let’s see how things play out first. Until there’s formal confirmation of the new Houston-based team hitting the ice, the idea is speculation, at best.
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