LAS VEGAS -- The NHL's board of governors has given the green light to opening a formal expansion process.
Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the decision at an afternoon news conference in Las Vegas.
While that's no guarantee the NHL will add a 31st or a 32nd team, it's an important step toward expanding the league.
"We will, probably starting in early July, accept fromal applications from people that are interested in pursuing an expansion team," Bettman said. "We will then go through a formal vetting process, and the board ultimately will determine whether or not there's any interest in expanding.
"If the conclusion is there is interest from the league's perspective, then there will be focus on what the terms would be and and who the likely successful candidates might be."
Bill Foley's Hockey Vision Las Vegas is at the forefront of expansion talk, and the city is the favourite to get a franchise.
The Las Vegas season-ticket drive received over 11,500 deposits for seats at the brand new arena that's set to open next spring.
Seattle and Quebec City are other leading candidates for expansion.
