The news we’ve feared, but also secretly knew was coming, has finally come in as official a capacity as it can without a press conference from the commissioner.

Given where we are in the process, it is clear that expansion will not be voted on in December. -NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, in an email to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

We had this news earlier in the week, but it was coming from unnamed sources so there was still at least a bit of hope for inaccuracy.

Obviously, the sooner it gets done, the better. But I understand they want to take their time. It’s an important decision. Hopefully we’ll know something at the All-Star Game. -Bill Daly

The All Star Game is set for January 31st in Nashville. It would be an excellent chance for the league to make the big announcement on one of their largest stages of the year, but it really feels like just the next stop on this timeline with no end.

If an announcement is made in Nashville, that would give The Creator and his staff about 21 months to get ready to the 2017-18 season. It’s been mentioned many times that 18 months is about the bare minimum that is necessary to get all their ducks in a row.

We knew it was a possibility, and we’ve been in communication indirectly with the NHL. We know we continue to make progress, and nobody has told us no at this point. So it’s still moving forward. -The Creator

Alright then, 1/31/16 is now the new date to be circled on your calendars. Hopefully this one doesn’t get the same treatment as 12/9, 9/29, and every other date we got our hopes up for.