The NHL has met with a group led by billionaire Dan Friedkin to discuss its interest in bringing an expansion team to Houston, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Thursday night in an email to The Associated Press.

American billionaire Dan Friedkin has emerged as a strong ownership option to bring the NHL to Houston, sources told ESPN.

The Friedkin Group already owns two prominent soccer franchises in AS Roma in Serie A and Everton in the Premier League.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league and the Players’ Association will sit down to begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement the week of April 1. At his news conference wrapping up the general managers' annual spring meeting,

MANALAPAN, Fla. -- The NHL and NHL Players’ Association will begin collective bargaining discussions the week of April 1, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Sept. 15, 2026. Bettman, NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh and others have had casual talks already.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that talks with the National Hockey League Players' Association on the next collective bargaining agreement will begin in the first week of April.