By Dylan Gremont, The Hockey News intern
Throughout the history of NHL expansion and relocation, there have been instances of teams getting a second chance. Look at the Winnipeg Jets 2.0, who came back after a lengthy hiatus from when the team's first iteration moved to Arizona and Atlanta. Or the Ottawa Senators, who were members of the NHL from 1919 to 1927 who, after a long layoff, were revived in 1992 and still play today.
We've seen some NHL franchises given a second chance, and it’s possible more teams are given the same opportunity. With a look at defunct NHL and WHA teams, each franchise’s rebranded logo – created by Georgia Dogantzis – still have nods to their illustrious pasts, plus their potential path towards modern-day success.
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros were once one of the premier teams of the WHA in the mid-1970s, spanning from the 1972-1973 season to the 1977-1978 season. Within that span, the Aeros managed to capture two championships. Houston could play a significant role in the NHL's essential growth throughout the USA, and the city would create a massive media market for the league.
The city of Houston has previously had success with having a professional hockey team, and its success is well demonstrated by the Rockets (NBA), Texans (NFL), Astros MLB, as well as the University of Houston Cougars, showing that the market can very viably support sports teams. The Aeros, during their run as a WHA franchise, finished in the top three in total attendance three times in three different regular seasons.
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers had a more recent stint as an NHL franchise from the 1999-2000 season to the 2010-2011 season. However, the reason for giving the Thrashers another chance is based on the size of the Atlanta market and the proof of concept provided by all the other successful professional sports teams in the city and the region, as well as the southeastern United States as a whole.
Look at the long-term viability of the Hawks (NBA), Falcons (NFL), Braves MLB), and even the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, which have endured for decades. The Atlanta market has demonstrated its ability to support all other professional sports teams and colleges. There is a lot of smoke surrounding the proverbial fire about a team returning to Atlanta, bringing with it the branding of the Thrashers that the local market is familiar with. The league and its fans have a widespread fondness for the Thrashers and their branding.
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix and later the Arizona Coyotes were in operation from the 1996-1997 season to the 2023-2024 season. Despite all the turmoil at the ownership and executive levels, there were many Coyotes fans in the desert. There is a tremendous proof of concept of success throughout the greater Phoenix area supporting high-end sports with the viability of the Cardinals (NFL), Suns (NBA) and Diamondbacks (MLB), which have brought viability to desert sports. The city of Phoenix and the surrounding Phoenix area are one of the largest markets on the West Coast.
Overall, in the country, with a significant focus on growing the game of hockey, another primary market on the West Coast, relatively nearby to Mexico, provides an additional international market to continue growing and supporting the game of hockey. The Coyotes, as a team and organization, can succeed, but you just need the proper arena with a properly functioning ownership and management group, and they will become a significant asset to the league.
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques are widely regarded as one of the greatest defunct teams in NHL history. One of Canada's greatest treasures, which was shipped off to Colorado to become the Avalanche, and the Avs have even gone on to honour the Nordiques' history and legacy with their previous Reverse Retro jersey.
The Nordiques are well-regarded and are looked back on fondly during their time in the NHL, from the 1979-1980 season to the 1994-1995 season, when they inevitably relocated to Colorado. The Quebec City market size isn't quite on the scale of some of the other US markets on this list. Still, as far as Canadian markets go, it's up there, and that, combined with its hockey heritage, legacy, and passion, makes it a viable choice for another go-around if the league chooses to give Canada another chance.
Cleveland Barons
Among the shortest-tenured organizations on the list is the Cleveland Barons of the NHL, which lasted only two seasons, from the 1976-1977 to the 1977-1978 season. They have proven to be a viable hockey market, as evidenced by their stints in the AHL and NAHL throughout their post-Barons years. The Cleveland market, in terms of size, isn't nearly as massive as some other expansion candidates out there. Still, the passion, dedication, and willingness to support their teams, as evidenced by the Browns (NFL), Cavaliers (NBA) and Guardians (MLB).
This region of the country has also long been passionate about hockey, as evidenced by some of college hockey's biggest brands and success stories. Even the Columbus Blue Jackets, in the same state, are regarded as one of the sport's most underappreciated fan bases and markets. Hockey can work in the state of Ohio and the city of Cleveland, and giving the Barons another chance is the logical choice in that scenario.
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts of the NHL are often forgotten. The team moved on from Kansas City to become the Colorado Rockies, and eventually became the New Jersey Devils we know today. The Scouts’ brief tenure in the NHL led to a largely forgotten existence for many, as they were only around for the 1974-1975 and 1975-1976 seasons, with unremarkable results.
The professional market capacity of Kansas has produced success with the Chiefs (NFL), the Royals (MLB), as well as the Scouts during their run, and the decade-plus long run the NBA's Kansas City Kings had before relocating to Sacramento. There is tangible proof of Kansas City's viability as a pro sports market, and its ever-growing population could want to bring back the Scouts as a welcome addition to further expand the NHL's footprint in the United States.
California Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a franchise that was part of the first batch of NHL expansion and existed for nine seasons, from the 1967-1968 season to the 1975-1976 season. The Golden Seals were based in Oakland, however, for version two, more success could be achieved in the larger San Francisco market, while still retaining the name California Golden Seals.
Examining the issues that have affected Oakland-based sports, as well as the success and viability of the Warriors (NBA) since their move to San Francisco, the Giants (MLB) and the 49ers (NFL), it makes sense to add an NHL team to the heart of one of the US's largest and most prominent markets.
The opportunity to move to San Francisco and bring a team creates an instantaneous local rivalry and battle with their potential, teal-colored foes, the Sharks. It also allows for further statewide and geographical rivals throughout the area. The practicality and realism of the arenas already built make San Francisco and the new version of the Seals a viable option for another go around.
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers, besides their brief run in the WHA spanning from the 1974-1975 season until the 1978-1979 season, were a team that, despite their short run in the WHA, was the first professional team of one of the sport's biggest and most significant stars, Wayne Gretzky. In just his brief eight-game tenure, he managed to secure six points for the Racers before eventually making his way over to the Edmonton Oilers as the Racers neared the end of their first existence. However, sharing a part of the history of the sport's greatest player is a tremendous claim to fame for the potential of an Indiana hockey renaissance.
The state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis are a significant hub for sports. Look at the passion and success for the Pacers (NBA), Colts (NFL), the Indiana University Hoosiers, and even motorsport at the Indy 500. It's clear there's a passion for sports in Indianapolis. Bringing hockey back to the highest level seems like the next logical step. The Indianapolis market has seen various iterations and forms of leagues, including the ECHL, CHL, USHL, and IHL, all of which have had a presence in Indianapolis. This can serve as proof of concept for successfully bringing hockey back to Indianapolis at the highest professional level.
Cincinnati Stingers
The Cincinnati Stingers, formerly of the WHA, which operated from the 1975-1976 season to the 1978-1979 season, and the Cincinnati market have had some sort of minor league hockey team in different leagues ever since. The Cincinnati market has been home to professional sports for decades, boasting success and tremendous fan support with the Bengals, Reds, and even at the collegiate level with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
The Midwest region is already incredibly passionate and hockey-loving on all levels, from grassroots to collegiate and even professional, and adding another team in Cincinnati would strengthen the connection between the Midwest and the NHL. Its market size is certainly worth considering for another shot in the professional hockey space, and they already have a built-in, established in-state rival, potentially with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are beloved in their market. This can translate into Cincinnati.
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers, first known as the New England Whalers in the WHA, ran from the 1972-1973 season until the 1978-1979 season before moving to the NHL and running from the 1979-1980 season all the way until the 1996-1997 season.
The Hartford Whalers established and cemented themselves as a beloved hockey brand and market in two professional leagues across three different decades, not to mention the fondness held for them, as evidenced by the throwback nights when the Hurricanes donned their iconic Hartford throwback jerseys. The Hartford market has also housed AHL teams for decades and been a staple of the AHL's East Coast presence since its founding. The Whalers and their iconic logo, jersey and goal song of the Brass Bonanza have been etched in NHL lore forever.
The New England region has always been hockey-crazed, with iconic brands such as Boston University, Boston College, the Bruins and countless others in the area. The Whalers, with the institution they've become and the passion in the region, surely deserve another go around in this NHL and the chance to see what NHL Whalers 2.0 would look like.
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