LONDON

Amid more reports about expansion, NHL's Daly says 'nothing new to report'

Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, August 27, 2014 6:04PM EDT

In this Dec. 6, 2012, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly speak to reporters in New York. (AP / Mary Altaffer)

Text:

The NHL continues to listen to expressions of interest amid swirling rumours about expansion but the league says nothing is imminent.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says there is "nothing new to report on this subject."

On Tuesday, the Vancouver Province reported expansion to Las Vegas was a "done deal" but did not include a timeline and noted that neither a new arena nor ownership was in place.

Sports Business News reported via Twitter that the NHL was planning to expand to four markets -- Quebec City, Seattle and Las Vegas and Toronto -- by the 2017 centennial season.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has said on numerous occasions that the league was listening to prospective owners in markets like Quebec City, Seattle, Las Vegas and Kansas City but has repeatedly added that there's no formal expansion process ongoing.

Any expansion from 30 teams would require approval from the board of governors.