Fold Vegas because that's a dumb idea that should not be happening in the first place. There's a reason they don't have any pro sports franchises there. Tampa, Nashville, and Anaheim shouldn't even be in consideration. They are all solid hockey markets. Relocate the Coyotes. They have had a sour relationship with Phoenix/Glendale for a while now and simply don't generate enough fan buzz to make it worthwhile. Maybe relocate the Panthers. I don't watch a lot of Panthers games but when the Penguins went down there the other night their attendance looked absolutely dismal. Relocate the Islanders not out of New York but into an arena that isn't totally miserable to watch hockey in. Carolina, NJ, and CBJ are all boom/bust markets, fans come and go as the winning and losing does, which isn't ideal but not bad enough to warrant relocation.

Yotes to seattle

Except for relocating the Isles within "New York", I really don't see there are any viable relocation markets. For a team to generate 140m USA in revenue year after year doesn't seem realistic to smaller cities.
The NHL has tied many of their teams to the arenas or other real estate deals. The actual value of some of these franchises is actually minimal. It is possible that some. owners will "hand in the keys" to their teams and let the NHL. have them (another Phoenix disaster) Are the other NHL other going to subsidize Phoenix and other teams to 40m a year again? I doubt it. This Bettman vision of the NHL being a national pro sport like NFL football in the USA is dead. Somehow it got him a job of over 20 years as a "commissioner" of a pro league,, but no much else.

NYI are in a really bad arena.
AZ needs to move back to Phoenix, among other things.
Panthers arena is in a horrible location: 35 miles from where the Heat play in downtown Miami, no mass transit, nothing 'fun' to do before/after the game.
Canes need new owners and then probably relocate (QC?).
Ducks- draw good crowds, in a tough market, good tv money.
Tampa has a good draw, and okay fan base. #6 in average home attendance
CBJ- nfc what to do with them
Devils- good fan base, but it's football first area.
Preds- have a small arena, but is at 100% home attendance.
Vegas hasn't played a game yet, but they are sold out in STH's (reportedly). Wait till the honeymoon period is over before calling for moving them.

The Sens are a weak draw, and the Jets have small arena (for Canada teams in bottom 10 in home attendance). Avs are also low on home attendance.

Weak CA$ ($1US=$1.30CA), makes a big difference in overall league revenue. Players are paid in US$.

This forum is for armchair-gm teams, not for general discussion, use the appropriate forum