Metro Atlanta has been here before. Twice, actually. The city welcomed the NHL in 1972 with the Flames, then tried again in 1999 with the Thrashers, only to watch both franchises pack their bags for colder Canadian pastures. Now, with rumors swirling and two heavyweight ownership groups lining up north of I‑285, the buzz is back.

Back when the Thrashers were around, things were a little different — think dial-up internet and questionable hair choices. But Atlanta in 2025 is a different scene. The metro area now has over 6 million people, the northern suburbs are packed with major company headquarters, and the sports scene has found its groove.

That backdrop has important figures around the league asking if it's finally time to bring the NHL back to Atlanta. If they do, though, it won’t look anything like the old days. This time around, they’re leaning into a setup more like Vegas or Seattle: big-time money behind it, suburban arenas, and year-round spots people can hang out in — not just on game night.

The NHL’s Expansion Map After Utah’s Mammoth Move

Now that the Coyotes saga is behind them, Commissioner Gary Bettman has been quick to say the NHL isn't in "active expansion mode." But let’s be real — people around the league are talking. A lot. Cities like Houston, Kansas City, Quebec City, and even New Orleans are trying to make a case.

Houston in particular, has had billionaires sniffing around and reportedly made moves as recently as March. Omaha and New Orleans sent officials up to NHL headquarters in New York, just to get face time.

So what makes Atlanta different? Well, for starters, these new bids aren’t trying to shove another team downtown like the Thrashers did. This time, both ownership groups want to plant the team where the people — and the money — actually are: the north Atlanta suburbs. We’re talking Alpharetta and Forsyth County. That’s where families live, corporations thrive, and traffic doesn’t make you want to give up and go home before the puck even drops.

That approach lines up perfectly with how the NHL’s been doing things lately. Just look at Vegas’ T-Mobile District or Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. The league loves the idea of a team being the anchor in a bigger entertainment complex, with bars, restaurants, hotels, and condos all within walking distance. It’s not just about hockey anymore — it’s about building a destination.

A Frosty Past: Flames, Thrashers, and Lessons Learned

Atlanta’s track record with NHL teams hasn’t exactly been stellar. We’ve had two cracks at it, and both times the puck barely got moving before things unraveled.

• Atlanta Flames (1972–80): Cool name, even cooler logo. But let’s be honest—the fan base never fully got behind it, and The Omni was more famous for its roof leaks than for any real home-ice advantage. When Calgary came calling with deeper pockets and a hunger for hockey, the Flames were gone before most folks could name more than a few players.

• Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2011): The Thrashers era was a mess from the jump. Ownership couldn’t get on the same page, and it showed. The team had talent here and there — Kovalchuk, Hossa, and a young Byfuglien late in the run — but it all felt like a missed opportunity. They made the playoffs once, in 2007, and got steamrolled by the Rangers. Combine that with a downtown arena that never really connected with casual fans, and it wasn’t long before Winnipeg swooped in to bring hockey back to Manitoba.

And it’s not just about headcount. Those big-time businesses come with big-time budgets. They’re the kind of companies that fill luxury suites and buy up corporate ticket packages. When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says Atlanta is a “different market now,” he’s not just tossing out a soundbite. He’s looking at demographics, spending power, and a much deeper pool of potential season ticket holders.

Meet the Suitors

1. Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group

Front Man: Anson Carter isn’t just a former NHL winger with 14 seasons under his belt — he’s also made Atlanta his home since retiring, and he’s become deeply embedded in the local hockey scene as a co-owner of the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators.

Carter’s been on this mission for a while now, quietly pushing for the NHL’s return to the city since 2019. He’s not just talking about it on TV — he’s been keeping in touch with Commissioner Bettman directly, trying to move things forward behind the scenes.

Arena Vision: Carter’s group is eyeing a bold transformation of the aging North Point Mall in Alpharetta. The idea is to tear down big chunks of the mall and build a brand-new NHL-caliber arena, designed by none other than Frank Gehry. But it’s not just about the arena—this would be part of a larger mixed-use development with restaurants, apartments, green space, and everything else you’d want around a venue that runs year-round. The city of Alpharetta has already chipped in for a $150,000 study to see if the area can support it all, and that study should wrap up by fall.

Selling Point: The location checks a lot of boxes. It’s got direct access to GA-400, sits right in the heart of one of the fastest-growing suburban areas in the state, and already has some built-in infrastructure. Plus, Carter’s a unique face for the project — he knows the league, he’s got a national media presence, and he brings credibility from both the player and business sides of hockey. Having someone like that at the front of the pitch helps keep the project on the NHL’s radar.

Wildcard: The one thing that hasn’t been made public yet is how exactly the project would be funded. A development like this costs billions, and so far, Carter’s group hasn’t named their lead financial backers. That doesn’t mean the money isn’t there — but the NHL will need to see a full breakdown before things move forward.

2. Krause Sports & Entertainment

Front Man: Vernon Krause might not be a household name in hockey circles, but in Georgia, he’s a big deal. He’s the guy behind one of the largest car dealership empires in the state, and he’s been quietly working on this NHL project for the better part of two years. Krause isn’t flashy — he’s more of a boots-on-the-ground, shake-your-hand kind of businessman — but that’s exactly the kind of steady hand expansion efforts like this often need.

Arena Vision: Krause’s plan centers around a project called The Gathering at South Forsyth. It’s a massive 100-acre development right off GA-400 that would be anchored by an 18,000-seat arena. But it’s more than just a rink. Think restaurants, condos, a hotel, walking paths — the kind of place you can spend an entire Saturday whether there’s a game or not.

Forsyth County voters have already approved up to $225 million in future property taxes to help fund the development ifthe NHL grants them a team. That’s a big sign of community buy-in, and it’s rare to see that kind of local momentum this early. On top of that, the Forsyth County Commission already approved the necessary zoning, so this isn’t some pie-in-the-sky plan — it’s lined up and ready.

Selling Point: Krause says he and his partners have checked all the boxes: land, zoning, tax support, and even timelines. He’s preparing to head to New York after the Stanley Cup wraps up to personally present the NHL with a polished, professional pitch that lays everything out. And he’s not going in empty-handed — his group has lawyers drafting up formal agreements and documentation to show the league exactly how serious they are.

Wildcard: Krause wants the building open in time for the 2027 NHL season. That’s aggressive. Construction projects of this size can hit snags, and the league might want to move a little slower. But Krause isn’t backing down — he says they’re close to the finish line on the proposal, and he’s confident Forsyth County is ready to support a team.

Hurdles That Could Kill the Dream (Again)

1. Financial Sticker Shock – Let’s not sugarcoat it: getting an NHL team off the ground these days isn’t cheap. Between an expansion fee and arena costs, you’re looking at a $3 to $5 billion investment before a single jersey is sold. That’s a heavy ask, even for groups with serious financial backing. It’s not just about writing checks — it’s about long-term confidence in the market, steady revenue plans, and convincing everyone involved that this isn’t just a passion project.

2. NHL Labor Talks – Even if a group in Atlanta comes in with the perfect plan, the league can’t move forward until the labor stuff is sorted out. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2025–26 season, and the NHL’s not even entertaining expansion until a new deal is signed with the players’ union. That means even if someone shows up tomorrow with money in hand and blueprints in tow, it’s still a waiting game.

3. Houston, We Have a Bidding War – Atlanta’s not the only city pushing hard for a team. Houston’s been lurking in the weeds for years, and they’ve got a lot going for them. The city is massive — fourth-largest TV market in the country — and the Toyota Center is NHL-ready right now. On top of that, billionaires Tilman Fertitta and Dan Friedkin are reportedly ready to throw their hats in the ring. If the NHL is looking for a quick, low-risk move, Houston could easily jump the line.

4. Two-Time Loser Stigma – Like it or not, Atlanta’s hockey history still matters to some people in the room. The Flames left. The Thrashers left. And while both situations had a lot more to do with ownership messes and bad timing than actual fan interest, that stain is still there — especially with older Canadian owners who remember it all firsthand. Changing those minds takes more than good ideas and suburban arenas.

One Last Look Before the Puck Drops

At the end of the day, Atlanta’s case isn’t about chasing nostalgia — it’s about showing the NHL how much this market has grown up. Between two solid arena plans, a booming population, and real money on the table, this third push feels a lot more serious than the first two.

If Carter or Krause can deliver a clear vision backed by the right people and the right dollars, the league’s going to have to take a hard look. And for fans, whether you’re still rocking a Thrashers jersey or just hoping for something new to cheer for, it finally feels like there’s a real shot at bringing the NHL back to Georgia. No guarantees, but this time, it feels like more than just wishful thinking.