As the keynote speaker at the University of Toronto’s 5th Annual Sports Industry Conference, Bill Daly spoke a bit on the expansion process and the league’s plans moving forward.

Talking all things international NHL expansion with Bill Daly and @AndiPetrillo#SIC2016 #🏒 pic.twitter.com/EZC9OdtZSf

— RSBC (@RotmanSportsBiz) March 4, 2016

Per the usual, Daly did not say much on the expansion process itself, but he did use a term we haven’t really heard much, and one that bodes well for Las Vegas.

“it’s all about growing hockey at the grassroots level” – BIll Daly #SIC2016

— UofT Sports&Business (@UofTsportsbiz) March 4, 2016

Grassroots. So, maybe like expanding to a burgeoning market that currently has very little footprint in the NHL? A market looking for it’s first major professional sports franchise? A market that has thousands of kids without a home team that could easily take up hockey as their new favorite sport? What do you say Bill?

“Las Vegas and Quebec are two possible destinations for expansion, but more steps are involved in the process” – Bill Daly #SIC2016

— theCSBN (@CanadianSBN) March 4, 2016

DAMNIT! Same something different!

Well, at least he said grassroots. I think that might be my new favorite word.

Speaking with Gord Stellick and Rob Simpson on SiriusXM’s NHL Network Radio, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly shed some light on where the league is currently on the expansion process.

We had a good meeting with out executive committee last week in New York. We continue the review and evaluation process. Nothing will be present for votes at this point, we are still a ways away from that. But it’s moving along. -Bill Daly

In other words. Nothing has changed, stop asking me. However, Daly had a bit of trouble answering when asked directly about Las Vegas.

The perception is that if the league had it’s first choice that it would be Las Vegas. Is that accurate? -Rob Simpson

No… I mean… well… you know look. You are getting into kind of where we are in the process. What I, what I, you know, I, I think there are lots of merits to both applications in front of us. -Bill Daly

Now this is interesting. The first word out of his mouth was no. Daly wanted to deflect the question, but then he quickly realized no was not the right answer. So he stuttered his way to the company line answer about “the process.”

Why would he say no, then change his mind? Maybe because no actually should have been yes. Daly knew he could not say yes because that would completely alienate Quebec City, something they aren’t willing to do…yet. But, it’s so obvious that after saying no, his mind instantly told him, wait, hang on, that’s not right.

It’s possible I’m trying to read too much into it, just like we’ve been doing with everything, but to me when someone is asked about Vegas being the front runner, and the answer was “no, wait, I mean…” that means it’s much closer to yes than no.

Daly did go on to say this though.

People thought expansion was a preordained conclusion, it’s never been. It’s always been a process and we’re making a decision that’s important for the long term future of the league.

That’s really the only way Las Vegas doesn’t get a team at this point. If the league doesn’t expand, it’s clearly a disaster for Vegas. But we all know how money hungry this league can be, and they have never gotten this far into the process without it ending in expansion.

Seems unlikely but the league continues to put the seed of doubt out there just in case they change their mind. Which, I’ll be honest, scares the hell out of me.

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.