NHL to expand???

It appears that the NHL is leaning towards expanding into Kansas City and Las Vegas. If true, Commissioner Gary Bettman is about to take over Dave Twardzic's spot as the most incompetent sports executive I've ever witnessed. What does the NHL possibly have to gain by expanding? There is a short term financial bump from expansion teams (assuming someone is financially suicidal enough to buy an NHL team), but then what? Talent dilution, empty seats, and microscopic television ratings?