Why the NHL’s Sun Belt Struggle Might Be Its Greatest Untapped Opportunity
For decades, the notion of NHL teams thriving under the blazing Sun Belt sun seemed, frankly, as fanciful as a mirage on a desert highway. The early days were pretty brutal — teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Oakland Seals struggled mightily, barely sniffing success until the dazzling arrival of Wayne Gretzky in ’88 lit a fire under L.A. Fast forward to the ’90s, and the league went on a frenzied expansion binge, planting hockey flags in places that once felt like long shots: San Jose, Tampa, South Florida, Dallas, and beyond. Initially, wins were scarce, but then Dallas shattered the glass ceiling in ’99, becoming the first Sun Belt franchise to hoist the Stanley Cup. Since then, these southern contenders have steadily claimed their turf and trophies, shaking the traditional hockey hierarchy to its core. With nearly 60 percent of the last decade’s conference finalists hailing from the Sun Belt, the game is undeniably shifting southward — and fast. It’s a tale of innovation, resilience, and a changing American sports landscape that demands recognition — for better or worse. Curious how this unlikely metamorphosis unfolded and what it means for hockey’s future?
For years — even decades, you could argue — the NHL’s Sun Belt franchises in the United States were mere cannon fodder for the league’s established franchises.
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