Could Relegation/Promotion work in the NHL?

[Mango]

Off-season gibberish-ish.

But I was reading an article in The Athletic about the popularity of soccer in the US and how FIFA think relegation and promotion would work well here.

It got me thinking about how the NHL is trying to keep adding more teams. But it sort of feels like the league is big enough. Could increasing the value of the AHL and having relegation/promotion be a viable path?

[GASabresIUFAN]

Other hockey leagues, like the SHL, have regulation and promotion.  I don't think it's possible here as the AHL is now only a development league and the majority of the players in the league property of the parent clubs.

[shrader]

That’s something you have to start from day one. 

[thewookie1]

No

[TheAud]

Well, in Buffalo it would be great as local fans could just head down the Thruway to Rochester and Syracuse to catch some road games. 

Of course home games vs. Toronto would be flooded with Marlie fans. 

Edited 3 hours ago by TheAud

[Weave]

Are there more than a small handful of AHL cities big enough to attract an owner that has the ability (and desire) to compete with NHL owners?

[Drag0nDan]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

Off-season gibberish-ish.

But I was reading an article in The Athletic about the popularity of soccer in the US and how FIFA think relegation and promotion would work well here.

It got me thinking about how the NHL is trying to keep adding more teams. But it sort of feels like the league is big enough. Could increasing the value of the AHL and having relegation/promotion be a viable path?

It doesn't work with a draft, and considering the league makes money on the draft i'd think that would be counterproductive.  

[inkman]

12 minutes ago, Drag0nDan said:

It doesn't work with a draft, and considering the league makes money on the draft i'd think that would be counterproductive.  

Well…the leagues tries to make money at the draft. Their execution leaves a little to be desired.  It’s pretty hard to sell a product that no one will have real access to for 3-5 years.  After the top 5 or so picks, these guys will become nameless, faceless into the abyss that is hockey minor leagues, juniors or college.  
 

But hey check out our new just hitting puberty draft pick that may be a star or may never play in the league you are here supporting. The NFL is drafting grown men you’ll almost certainly see on Sunday’s in a few months.  The NHL is like BYU or Russia.  You’ll see your guy in 5 years, if he survives.