NHL denies formal expansion application from Atlanta area groups

The NHL remains in the early stages of evaluating potential expansion locations after distancing itself from recent claims regarding an Atlanta-based proposal. While an organization known as NHLtoAtlanta suggested a project in Forsyth County had submitted a formal financing packet, league officials clarified that no such application has been filed. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league is not currently in an application phase regarding the Atlanta market. League leadership is prioritizing negotiations with Dan Friedkin for a potential second team in Texas, which is projected for the 2029–30 season. Aside from the Forsyth County interest, the city council in Alpharetta recently approved rezoning efforts for a site intended to support an NHL franchise. The league is simultaneously reviewing interest in the Phoenix area, though discussions there remain less advanced than in Texas.

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