Atlanta positions itself for chance at NHL return as arena funding is approved

Atlanta hasn't hosted an NHL game in over a decade, but the return of a franchise to the city may be closer than ever. 

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Forsyth County in Georgia voted 4-1 to advance plans for a new billion-dollar arena, offering $390 million in potential funds from taxpayers. The deal is contingent upon the NHL approving an expansion franchise for the city. 

In April, Georgia developer and landowner Vernon Krause proposed plans for "The Gathering at South Forsyth," including housing, shops, and an 18,000-seat arena estimated to cost between $1.5 and $2 billion. While the venue will be multi-purpose, the idea behind the project was seemingly to land an NHL club. 

At the time, representatives of Krause said they hoped to make it an "entertainment hub" but didn't hide interest in a possible expansion team with the league down the road. 

The NHL doesn't have plans to expand beyond 32 teams in the foreseeable future. Recently, commissioner Gary Bettman said expansion talks wouldn't even begin until June, at the earliest, when he'll sit down with owners for a scheduled board meeting. However, despite that and Atlanta's checkered history with the sport, the Krause group and Forsyth County are going all in. 

According to Maria Martin of 11 Alive News, county officials met with the NHL in New York and toured the New York Islanders home, UBS Arena, to collect intel. 

One looming question is whether or not Forsyth County would pay for an existing franchise. With the future of the Coyotes in Arizona still uncertain, the NHL is undoubtedly looking for potential relocation options. So if expansion isn't in the cards for Atlanta, perhaps taking on that downtrodden franchise would suffice. 

Starting from scratch is probably what Krause and the county have in mind. However, if the league throws out the idea of moving the Coyotes, it's a proposal they should entertain, especially since others might jump at the chance. 

Ryan Davis, owner of the Utah Jazz, recently implied that he'd consider that possibility instead of bringing an expansion squad to the Salt Lake State. 

Atlanta has dropped the ball, or puck, with hockey not once but twice. And reminders of those failings aren't hard to find as the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets continue to thrive in greener pastures. 

That might make one think that a third time wouldn't be the charm. However, with its financial backing, Atlanta has to be a frontrunner right now among cities vying for an NHL club.