A major shift in the NHL’s broadcasting landscape may be fueling discussions around league expansion, as the current TV deal with ESPN and TNT is set to expire in two years. With the league exploring new media partnerships, analysts suggest that securing a lucrative national agreement could be a key driver behind recent talks about adding new teams. The timing of these developments raises questions about whether financial incentives from a fresh broadcast contract are influencing the push for expansion. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how these factors align as the NHL weighs its next steps.

Is the NHL's TV deal ESPN and TNT, that is expiring in two years, part of the reason there is an NHL expansion push?