The NHL’s newest hockey franchise won’t begin playing until 2021, but that hasn’t stopped them from further setting up the front office. In 2019, Seattle was granted an NHL expansion team ahead of some very promising cities including a return to Quebec City. Now, the Pacific Northwest will have a new team with regional ice hockey rivalries on the cards. Hockey fans don’t have to wait until 2021 to wager on their favourite hockey teams. The new season will drop the puck in October and hockey fans can visit Lvbet to wager on their favourite team. .
It is still two seasons until the unnamed Seattle franchise drops the puck for the first time. But the club is already setting themselves up for success on the ice.
Building from scratch
Two years may seem like a long time to most people, but in the world of the NHL, it really isn’t. Seattle general manager Ron Francis must put together front office staff and begin building a team from scratch.
Francis will interview coaches and other personnel first and begin putting together a list of possible hockey players the club wants sign second. It is a major undertaking for the GM and the circle he builds around himself. Francis was named GM of Seattle in July and despite being in the job only a short time, must now pick up the pace to build the new franchise.
Interestingly, Francis played with a number of coaches and front office workers while with the Hartford Whalers in the 1980s. That was decades ago and now many of his ex-teammates have become successful in the league. NHL insiders believe Francis will dip into the ex-Whalers pool to find at least one or two new employees of the Seattle club.
Target 2021
Seattle will participate in the NHL expansion draft in 2021. It will finally give the franchise the chance to populate its roster with players from around the league. Seattle has already submitted an application for a minor league hockey affiliate that will play in the American Hockey League. The team’s affiliate will play in Palm Springs, California at a brand-new arena that is now under development.
The Palm Springs Firebirds will be Seattle’s first minor league team. The Firebirds moniker doesn’t seem to have any indication on the name the Seattle franchise will settle on, although many fans will surely speculate on the possible names being connected.
Seattle had originally hoped to begin NHL play in 2020. However, the NHL pushed back the start date to give the franchise time to put out the best team possible. Although it was a disappointment to the franchise and its new fanbase, it looks to be a good decision thus far. Seattle’s renovated Key Arena won’t be ready when originally planned.
In addition, the team’s debut in 2021 gives Francis and company more time to put puzzle pieces together to form the franchise’ inaugural team. Once the new Seattle NHL franchise begins, it will be a major event for the NHL. A first Seattle franchise will begin play and give a sports mad city a fresh team to support.
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