Where should the next NHL teams be?

[Badger]

I wish the NHL would've let Pittsburgh move to Hamilton 10 years ago

DIAF. A big one.

Given that Pittsburgh is pretty much the single best city for hockey in America, basically along with Buffalo the only one whose proportionate level of fandom rivals Canadian cities... that would have been a horrible idea.  Yes, Hamilton probably ought to have a team.  It really really oughtn't be the Pens though.

Between the Lemieux are and the Crosby era, no one care about the Pens.

Other than Lemieux' temporary retirement from 1998-2000, the time period you describe is from 1984 to present.

[Linus Van Pelt]

I believe that a lot of the opposition to a Hamilton team has actually been from the Sabres, since they would draw on a lot of Niagara support that would no longer have to cross the border to go to games.

[MurrayBannerman]

Seattle and QC. Move the Wings back to the Central.

[Hatman 🍁]

I believe that a lot of the opposition to a Hamilton team has actually been from the Sabres, since they would draw on a lot of Niagara support that would no longer have to cross the border to go to games.

Apparently no one in the Niagara region actually supports the Sabres. At least according to Facebook data.

I wish the NHL would've let Pittsburgh move to Hamilton 10 years ago

Given that Pittsburgh is pretty much the single best city for hockey in America, basically along with Buffalo the only one whose proportionate level of fandom rivals Canadian cities... that would have been a horrible idea.  Yes, Hamilton probably ought to have a team.  It really really oughtn't be the Pens though.

Between the Lemieux are and the Crosby era, no one care about the Pens.

By that standard every NHL team in the US (except maybe Buffalo) should just move to Canada, since they're all going to suffer in attendance and TV ratings if they suck.

Not a bad idea, really

[Gass3268]

Here is my dream plan for the NHL. I have no issue with a couple Sun-Belt areas having teams, I just think that there are too many right now. Also Canada and the Northern US need more teams. Also assuming the NHL goes to 32 teams. Tried to keep the current format, keep all big rivalries together and have the expansion teams split by Conference.

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Québec Nordiques (Florida Panthers: Florida does not need two teams)
Montreal Canadiens
Hartford Whalers (Nashville Predators: Hockey and Country do not mix)
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Shamrocks (expansion)

Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (Won a cup)
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins   
Tampa Bay Lightning (They've won a cup and Florida is too big to ignore)
Washington Capitols

Western Conference

Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Detroit Red Wings
Kansas City Scouts (Anaheim Ducks: I feel bad because they have won a cup, but the LA area doesn't need two teams)
Milwaukee Admirals (expansion)
Minnesota Wild
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets

Pacific Division
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars (Texas is large enough for one team)
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings  (Los Angeles is just too large to ignore for the league and they've won a cup)
Seattle Metropolitans (Phoenix Coyotes: Just no)
San Jose Sharks (How would we make fun of of their futility if they were gone?)
Vancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames

[Hatman 🍁]

Gass, you're back in my good books for wanting to move Anaheim.