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Daly: Pacific Northwest will ‘get serious consideration’ for expansion or relocation

Seattle

Tuesday in Vancouver, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league’s interest in one day expanding or relocating to the Pacific Northwest.

Daly did so when asked where Seattle -- just down the road from Vancouver -- fit into the NHL’s plans after the Phoenix Coyotes struck a deal to keep them in Arizona.

“I’m not sure we ever addressed Seattle as a specific alternative in that process, but I think it’s safe to say we’re very intrigued by the Pacific Northwest generally,” said Daly.

“Going forward, I would expect that, to the extent expansion comes into the picture or relocation is needed, I’m sure the Pacific Northwest is going to get serious consideration.”

By referring to the Pacific Northwest, not just Seattle, it would also seem to include Portland, Oregon, in the discussion.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Portland -- which unlike Seattle has an NHL-ready building (the Rose Garden) -- was in the mix to land the Coyotes.