Gary Bettman says interest in joining the NHL remains active, with prospective ownership groups continuing to make their case to the league office. But the commissioner stressed that the NHL has not opened a formal expansion process.
No active expansion round
Bettman’s update draws a clear line between exploratory conversations and an official bid cycle. Potential owners are still approaching the league, but no current process is underway to add another club.
- Prospective ownership groups continue to pitch the NHL.
- The league is not conducting a formal expansion round.
- No new franchise, market, timetable or expansion fee was announced.
What the commissioner’s comment means
For now, expansion remains a background item rather than a move on the NHL calendar. Interested groups can keep presenting their plans, but Bettman’s remarks indicate that the league has not shifted into the formal stage that would put potential new teams on a defined path toward joining the schedule.
