from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

The time has come. The NHL is ready to expand beyond 30 teams.

Barring something unforeseen, commissioner Gary Bettman will emerge from today’s board of governors meeting at the Bellagio Hotel and announce that the league is opening a formal expansion process, according to several sources.

It will be the first time it’s happened under Bettman’s watch.

John Ziegler was still running the league when Ottawa and Tampa Bay joined for the 1992-93 season.

continued

Gary Bettman will be addressing the media around 5pm ET today, after the BOG meeting.

added 1:18pm,