There are too many teams as it is now. I could see a few of the franchises in areas that aren't really natural hockey areas going under. The NHL expanded way too much, and way too fast. I could see the Florida franchises surviving due to all the snowbird retirees, but for places like Phoenix, Atlanta, and Nashville, they could easily be gone by the time the next puck is dropped.
You said it right ABG. Way too much and too fast. If the salary caps were the sticking point, and the Owners have a shred of truth in their need to cap costs to survive, then I can't see how there won't be shrinkage after this disaster. If a team was marginal it is now not viable - And there are about four or five that fit that description.
Whats a natural hockey area? If this requires frozen ponds,
probably only Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut qualify.
Noone thought much about hockey in San Jose till the Sharks
came to town. Their arrival triggered building of Ice Centre, expanded the rec leagues (which support various
hockey equipment stores), brought lots of people downtown
to spend money, and put dollars into the city coffers.
Anyplace can be a natural hockey area..