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Originally Posted by KINGS17  I think that ultimately it could result in a contraction of the number of teams in the NHL, since the current expansion was due in large part to the influx of talent from Europe.
The NHL could easily return to the 1970's when its players were almost all North American. If that happens, I think 18-24 teams is all the talent will support. |
I somewhat disagree with this assessment.
The United States has made leaps and bounds in producing NHL level talent very recently.
With the eastern bloc countries shut off, I think they'll be missing out on one or two real top-end talented dynamic forwards a year. However the United States will still keep the influx of talent level. Sweden has really been churning out good very well rounded young players recently too. Keep an eye on which side of the curtain they choose to fall towards.