While all of us impatient Pacific Northwesterners anticipate something concrete from the offices of the National Hockey League confirming what we already choose to believe, we ponder how the (probably) impending expansion will be different this time around. More importantly, why it should be different for Seattle.

I don't want to compare the on-ice production and roster expectations for the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle team. Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News went through the exercise of putting together a roster for 2020-21 while attempting to follow the George McPhee/Vegas blueprint as close as possible. The skaters on the ice will be the last piece of the puzzle. Before any of that, let's note the unique opportunities ahead for league expansion.

History

Seattle needs to embrace the history of the sport in the city. Possibly the most unique way to honor that would be to name the team the Metropolitans. Residents of Washington have a lot pf pride in their state. Linking the new NHL team with the first American team to win the Stanley Cup is the perfect opportunity to showcase the pride of the region. Seattle is full of transplants and if any of those transplants are like me, they will look to build a relationship with the team while learning about their new home.

Rationality

There is a big responsibility on driving the NHL stake into an entire area of the country for the first time. The closest American NHL team near Seattle is San Jose at over 800 miles away. Ownership will have the responsibility of representing a large portion of the country and expanding their brand to Oregon, Idaho and even Montana. The "Battle of the Border" or "Cascadia Clash" between Vancouver and Seattle will be the next great NHL rivalry.

Outdoor games.

Many gorgeous options for scenic, outdoor games in Seattle. Safeco, with the city skyline in the outfield is obviously the first choice. Husky Stadium with the big, open sky could be available also. January 1st, 2018 weather in Seattle was a beautiful partly cloudy and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. New York City, the host of the 2018 Winter Classic, had a recorded temperature of just above 20 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of puck drop. The winters in Seattle are cold enough to maintain ice quality while also not succumbing to frost bite. Mild winters and gorgeous scenery; we are basically begging for an outdoor game.

Hockey is already here.

The Pacific Northwest has an established hockey culture unlike that of any recent NHL expansion city. Spokane and Portland lead U.S. cities in WHL attendance last year. There are also plenty of junior league teams in the region as well. The Western State Hockey League has three teams from Washington representing the Northwest Division. The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has one team outside of Canada; the Spokane Braves. Washington state is also home to nearly countless amateur programs and beer leagues.

The passion for the game is built into the region, so there is countless opportunities for community outreach programs for schools or amateur leagues Seattle will have the added benefit of easily engaging many young hockey fans with sponsorships and family actives. Win-win-win.

The incoming team to Seattle will remind the NHL what hockey lovers in the Pacific Northwest already know. They love their hockey, they know their hockey and the culture of the sport is deep rooted in the history of the land. The NHL arriving in Seattle isn't the start of great hockey in this area of the country, it's the continuation of it.