NHLPA Poll Reveals Top Preferred NHL Expansion Destination
- The NHL Players' Association has released the results of its annual player poll, revealing a clear preference for Houston as the top destination for potential NHL expansion, according...
- The poll, which surveyed 348 players from all 32 NHL clubs during the first half of the 2025-26 season, found that 34.3 percent of respondents favored Houston as...
- Quebec City emerged as the second choice, receiving support from 16.9 percent of players.
The NHL Players’ Association has released the results of its annual player poll, revealing a clear preference for Houston as the top destination for potential NHL expansion, according to verified reporting from ClutchPoints and corroborated by multiple sources.
The poll, which surveyed 348 players from all 32 NHL clubs during the first half of the 2025-26 season, found that 34.3 percent of respondents favored Houston as their preferred location for a new franchise. This represents a significant lead over other cities considered for expansion.
Quebec City emerged as the second choice, receiving support from 16.9 percent of players. The city previously hosted an NHL team when the Quebec Nordiques were part of the league from 1979-80 until their relocation to Colorado following the 1994-95 season.
Atlanta ranked third in the player preferences, followed by Scottsdale, Arizona and Austin, Texas. The poll results indicate that while Houston is the clear favorite, there is notable interest in returning NHL hockey to Quebec City, which would mark the city’s second stint as an NHL market.