The New York Rangers are no strangers to the playoffs, as they have faced a variety of different NHL franchises during their existence. Whether they are still in existence or those that are now defunct. well, now it looks like one of the defunct franchises could be returning soon.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the NHL has been asked about potential expansion, something they have been floating for quite some time. One location that has been floated around was Atlanta, a city which previously had the Thrashers franchise. But it may be a while before a return materializes.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that before the league even considers bringing an expansion team to the city, they would need a "fully baked plan from an ownership group.
"It's definitely not 'shovels in the ground.' It is having a fully baked plan to propose," Daly said, h/t ESPN. "I think both groups are aspirational in what they want to achieve and how they intend to get there, but we haven't gotten more than that. We need a plan that's a little more actionable than where we currently are."
Rangers' former playoff foe could return in near future
It doesn't sound like anything is close to happening, even though Daly met with potential owners back in July. Despite that, the league hasn't received a proposal from any group. There is a plan by Forsyth County to build a $3 billion development in South Forsyth, which includes an NHL sized arena, per ESPN.
If the NHL does bring a hockey team back to Atlanta, it may not be a given that the Thrashers will be brought back.
The Thrashers were founded back in 1997 as the NHL's 28th franchise and made their official debut back in 1999. Their biggest star was undoubtedly Ilya Kovalchuk, who spent eight seasons with the organization, scoring 328 goals and dishing out 287 assists in 594 games.
But for Atlanta, they didn't have postseason success. They made it into Stanley Cup playoffs once, back in 2007. Their opponents were the Rangers, and it was a one-sided contest. The Rangers swept the Thrashers in four games, and outscored them 17-6.
After the 2010-11 season, the team relocated to Winnipeg, bringing back the old Jets franchise.
It remains to be seen if Atlanta will ever get back an NHL franchise, but the league is open to it if they receive the right offer.