The number of NHLers playing in the best hockey league will increase by 23 (excluding the AHL players) in two years when the league adds a 32nd team in Seattle. 

At the start of the season, NHL.com put out a survey to 48 of the best players in the NHL to get their opinions on various topics around the league. 

The blog runs throughout the season every Wednesday, and on the most recent poll, numerous players weighed in with what the Seattle franchise should be called. 

The organization has said on several occasions that the team will announce the name sometime in early 2020. 

Jonathan Marchessault, who knows a thing or two on how expansion teams adapt to the NHL, hopes that the team colours align with the Seahawks. 

"I think it would be cool to have the same colours as the Seattle Seahawks, like in the same blue tone there," he said.

Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau offered up some comedic advice, saying that the team should be called the Seahawks. 

Patrick Kane and goaltender John Gibson also suggested the Seahawks as a coach but also agreed with Matt Dumba that they should take the WHL's team name. 

"I'm a Western League guy, so I think it'd be cool if they took over the Thunderbirds," Dumba said. "Something along that line. I like how Seattle has that colour scheme, too. I think the Thunderbirds follow that, and it'd be cool if the NHL followed suit."

John Klingberg suggested another type of bird, which doubles as a frequent hockey chirp.

"Pigeons."

Another popular suggestion? The Whalers, due to their geographical proximity to killer whales. Imagine that rivalry with the Canucks. Alex DeBrincat and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins offered that one up. 

"They're a West Coast team," said the Oilers centre. "Maybe, like, the Seattle Whalers or something like that. Yeah, I don't know. A lot of orcas go through by Seattle. 

Known for its late 80s and early 90s rock scene that produced bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Ryan O'Reilly said it should have a connection to the city's musical history. 

"The Seattle Grunge," said O'Reilly. "I just think Pearl Jam; it started there, all of those guys. That would be cool."

O'Reilly former teammate in Colorado, Matt Duchene, who's a big country music fan, offered up a similar suggestion: the Sound.

The Pacific Northwest receives a lot of rain, so it was only a matter of time before someone offered something weather-related. 

"Seattle Rainmen," said Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. 

You can read the rest of the article below. If you have a suggestion on what the team should be called, let us know in the comments!

(h/t NHL.com)