Houston, Phoenix, and Atlanta
The three U.S. metros the league has to be in, and the names already attached to them.
Houston
Houston is an obvious choice; it's one of the largest U.S. markets with a robust corporate presence. The city has a natural rivalry with Dallas, and a second team in Texas makes a lot of sense given the Stars' success.
The Toyota Center has held AHL games in the past and can accommodate a regulation rink, but lacks the optimization for a full NHL season. It's still possible that, with investment, the arena is a viable short-term option if an ownership group comes forward.
The Aeros won WHA championships, signed Gordie Howe, drew well, and were left out of the 1979 merger. The name fits the city's aerospace identity.
Phoenix
Returning to Phoenix remains a long-term necessity for the NHL, regardless of how clean the Salt Lake City transition may appear. The region is the 11th-largest media market in the U.S. and continues to experience rapid growth.
The league's persistence in keeping the franchise there for so long wasn't just stubbornness; it was rightly rooted in the belief that this market is simply too valuable to abandon. A return will require airtight ownership and a permanent arena solution, but a logical analysis likely views Phoenix as unfinished business, not a closed chapter.
The Kachina-era identity, a southwest mask in brick red, sand, and teal, belongs to a franchise entity that has been dormant since the move to Utah. The kit still sells, which makes it the most legally complicated brand on this list.
The Roadrunners played in the Valley from 1974 to 1977, before the Coyotes arrived. A separate identity from the Kachina era.
Atlanta
Atlanta is more challenging because the NHL has already failed there twice, but the market is massive, and the NHL still believes in growing the game in the southeastern United States. This is a strategic center for making that happen, and with a nurturing mindset, this market is important to re-enter.
The Thrashers played from 1999 to 2011 in powder blue, bronze, and burgundy built around a thrasher bird. The rights sit with Winnipeg. The Flames name belongs to Calgary, which has worn the flaming A since 1980, so a third Atlanta team would inherit the Thrashers identity.