Each Monday during the NHL season, Rob Mixer takes a look at the biggest storylines from the hockey week that was.A couple weeks ago, we were speculating what would happen with Houston and its newfound quest to obtain an NHL franchise.Now the course has totally reversed. It sure smells like were headed for team No. 32 landing in Seattle within the next few years. The NHL has long had its eyes on Seattle, a fantastic Pacific Northwest sports town that had its beloved Supersonics ripped away to Oklahoma City.Hockey is alreadypart of Seattles sports scene. The Vancouver Canucks are a natural Cascadia rival and, last week, Canucks president Trevor Linden said they would welcome a team in Seattle. What happens next is awfully familiar to what happened with Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley NHL commi sioner Gary Bettman and gauge interest in the city.MORE:In NHL terminology, thats the unofficial start of the expansion proce s, whether they will come out and say it or not. Andrew Miller Jersey Theyre locked in on Seattle joining the league sooner than later.The early succe s of the Golden Knights has piqued that interest even further; the expansion draft has set George McPhee up with options both at the draft and down the road, giving the club an opportunity to be competitive in the present tense while also collecting a sets for the future. It appears as though theres enough talent for a 31-team league, so what about 32?Doesnt sound so crazy anymore.After the Oak View Groups proposal to renovate Key Arena in time for the 2020 season was approved by the city last week, Corey Kluber Jersey the words expansion and Seattle started to gain more traction just in time for the NHLs Board of Governors meetings, where it was reported that the subject of Seattle was addre sed.Oh, and theres this:A suming Seattle's expansion becomes reality, NHL owners will have received $37.6M in expansion fees from it and Vegas. Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) It would be a surprise if the NHL didnt announce something about a potential franchise in Seattle in the coming months. Theres smoke, fire, and matches laying on the floor.MORE:Breadman risingArtemi Panarin didnt start fast with the Blue Jackets, but its safe to say hes got his foot on the accelerator right now.After a record-tying five-point nightFridayin Newark (all primary a sists, becoming the first NHLer in 22 years to do so), then the primary a sist on Josh Andersons game-winning goal on Saturday, Panarin is up to 27 points in 30 games and leads the Blue Jackets in scoring.For a Blue Jackets team that has struggled offensively and is picking up points despite not playing its Erik Gonzalez Jersey best, having Panarin on a hot streak has masked a few shortcomings along the way. Sergei Bobrovskys fourth shutout of the season which came in Saturdays 1-0 win certainly helps matters.BERKSHIRE:Metro madne sNot long ago, theCapitals were in a tough spot.After winning eight of their last 10 games, theyre now in a good spot.Entering Mondays slate of games, Barry Trotzs team is two points behind the Blue Jackets for first place in the Metropolitan, a division thats as unforgiving as it is competitive. Right behind the Capitals (37 points) are the Devils (36), the Islanders and Penguins (35) and the Rangers (34). Thats six teams separated by five points with 30 games down and 52 to go, setting up what figures to be the craziest divisional race in the league.Just as a hot streak can vault a team back into the mix, a stumble can mean the opposite: the Hurricanes and Flyers, each having won just three of their last 10 games each, are a full 10 points off the Blue Jackets pace.MORE:Senators slideIts a fair question: if the Senators continue Ricky Vaughn Jersey to fade, is Pierre Dorion going to be the guy making the decisions in a pivotal trade deadline and offseason?Weve heard that owner Eugene Melnyk may be looking for a way out. He was miffed that Erik Karl son, one of the best players on the planet, said he wouldnt entertain a hometown discount for Ottawa on his next deal. As recently as Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada, insiders Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos wondered if the time to explore a Karl son trade was on the horizon.Can you imagine the silly season frenzy if that were to happen? Goodne s.The team has fallen off the map; the Senators have been shut out in three of their last four games, theyve lost 11 of 12 overall, and Craig Andersons sub-.900 save percentage is haunting for coach Guy Boucher, who cant count on his goaltender to steal a Brad Miller Jersey game when they need it.Matt Duchene had enough losing in Colorado and wanted a fresh start, so he got traded to a team in a total free fall.And its only December. Related Articles How a Drew Doughty-Erik Karl son joint free agency in 2019 would alter the NHL