The NHL is on the verge of returning to Atlanta for a 3rd time; both previous Atlanta-based teams were forced into relocation. The Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary, while the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg and became the second edition of the Jets.
The Nordiques, Quebec's 1st and only NHL club, moved to Denver in 1995 to become the Colorado Avalanche.
Since then, the NHL has expanded into Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, Nevada, Washington State, and Utah. The only new Canadian-based club was the aforementioned 2nd iteration of the Jets, who have faced their own financial issues in recent years.