from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,

With the NHL poised to commit to its 10th expansion effort since 1967, there is not much point debating whether this will be good or bad for hockey fans.

At best, it might not be that bad. Most believe shrinking the league would be a much better idea.

Still, the league is expected to increase to 32 teams with the addition of Quebec City and Las Vegas at an expected franchise fee of $500 million per team, although expansion won’t be announced next week at the league’s board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif., and the league hasn’t announced a timetable.

Expansion has always been a risky business. Of the 25 clubs added since 1967, eight failed outright and moved to greener pastures. Only two of the top eight teams in the Forbes ranking of franchise values are former expansion franchises — Original Six teams take up the top five spots — and such relocated clubs as Dallas, Calgary and Colorado rank above many of the league-chosen expansion sites.

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