Hockey Reference Blog

The Complete NHL Expansion History

Posted by Darin Hayes on January 31, 2024

Introduction to the Growth of the NHL

The National Hockey League is the premier collection of professional hockey talent globally. The most significant players competing at the pinnacle of the sports hierarchy are collected and competing for the prize of lasting glory and hoisting Lord Stanley’s prize Cup. The NHL has not always been the broad multi-city venture we recognize it as today, comprised of thirty-two teams. It grew in spurts of NHL expansion, acquisition, and merger to rise from something much smaller. Tighten your skates and sharpen your blade edge because we are about to slide through the story of NHL expansion.

Original 6 Hockey Teams

The venture of the National Hockey League had some very humble beginnings. Established as a ten-team conglomerate in the Roaring 1920s, the downsizing of its size was initiated by financial woes caused by the attrition of the Great Depression. After the smoke cleared, only six franchises survived, and this core group is still known as the “Original 6.”

Toronto Maple Leafs

Team Names: Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto St. Patricks, Toronto Arenas

Seasons: 106 (1917-18 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 72

NHL Championships: 13 (13 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 269-298

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 3121-2879-783-198 (7223 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Mats Sundin, 420

All-time Points Leader: Mats Sundin, 987

Most Goals, Season: Auston Matthews (2021-22), 60

Most Points, Season: Doug Gilmour (1992-93), 127

In 1917, Toronto hockey fever raged. The city pulsed with the desire for its own NHL team. Enter Senator Frank Patrick, a visionary leader with ambition and a $15,000 budget. He lured stars like Jack Adams and Cyclone Taylor, forming the “Toronto Arenas” – a name reflecting the city’s beloved skating rinks. Their debut season was electric, igniting passion across the city. But in 1919, a merger saw them reborn as the “Toronto St. Patricks,” reflecting the city’s large Irish community. Success followed, with Stanley Cup victories in 1922 and 1924. Yet, a desire for a truly unique Canadian identity persisted. After Conn Smythe purchased the team in 1927, the “Toronto Maple Leafs” were branded, linking the team to Canada’s national symbol.

Montreal Canadiens

Team Name: Montreal Canadiens

Seasons: 106 (1917-18 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 85

NHL Championships: 25 (23 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 440-321

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 3541-2409-837-197 (8116 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Maurice Richard, 544

All-time Points Leader: Guy Lafleur, 1246

Most Goals, Season: Steve Shutt (1976-77), Guy Lafleur (1977-78), 60

Most Points, Season: Guy Lafleur (1976-77), 136

The Habs, organized in 1909, are the oldest continuously operating pro ice hockey team in the world and the only existing NHL club that formed before the League. J. Ambrose O’Brien founded the Montreal squad as a charter member of the forerunner of the NHL, the National Hockey Association. The team survived the financial woes of the Great Depression and outlasted a rival Montreal team, the cross-town Maroons, to thrive. The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup more than any other franchise, having twenty-four championship banners for the oldest NHL team. 

Boston Bruins

Team Name: Boston Bruins

Seasons: 99 (1924-25 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 76

NHL Championships: 6 (6 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 338-345

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 3376-2448-791-207 (7750 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Johnny Bucyk, 545

All-time Points Leader: Ray Bourque, 1506

Most Goals, Season: Phil Esposito (1970-71), 76

Most Points, Season: Phil Esposito (1970-71), 152

The Boston Bruins were born from circumstance and ambition in 1924. Hockey, surging in popularity across the Northeast, found traction in Boston thanks to Charles Adams, a young entrepreneur fueled by the success of the city’s Celtics. He gathered investors and convinced the NHL of Boston’s hunger for the sport. Boston was the first team of expansion and the first franchise housed on US soil. The name “Bruins” emerged from an early hire of the team, former player Art Ross, who felt the franchise could encompass the ferocity of the “brown bear.” He was right as the Bruins have captured six Stanley Cup titles since.

Chicago Blackhawks

Team Names: Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Black Hawks

Seasons: 97 (1926-27 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 63

NHL Championships: 6 (6 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 268-275

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 2876-2874-814-193 (6759 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Bobby Hull, 604

All-time Points Leader: Stan Mikita, 1467

Most Goals, Season: Bobby Hull (1968-69), 58

Most Points, Season: Denis Savard (1987-88), 131

Since 1986, we have known them by the consolidated moniker of “Blackhawks,” but this frozen pond franchise of the “Windy City” has also won six NHL championships since their inception in 1926.

The expansion franchise was granted to a group spearheaded by former football star Huntington Hardwick of Boston. Hardwick, in turn, purchased the rights of the players of the Portland Rosebuds of the Western Hockey League. Weeks after this, the quite involved Frederic McLaughlin bought the team and sold decades later to the Norris and then the Wirtz families. No matter who held the owner tag over the years, the Chicago squad has been a staple in the NHL.

Detroit Red Wings

Team Names: Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Falcons, Detroit Cougars

Seasons: 97 (1926-27 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 64

NHL Championships: 11 (11 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 325-296

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 3072-2665-815-207 (7166 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Gordie Howe, 786

All-time Points Leader: Gordie Howe, 1809

Most Goals, Season: Steve Yzerman (1988-89), 65

Most Points, Season: Steve Yzerman (1988-89), 155

The Motor City franchise also came to be in 1926 and took advantage of the failing Western League. The Townsend-Seyburn syndicate of Detroit, headed by Charles A. Hughes, purchased the WHL’s roster of the 1925 Stanley Cup Champion Victoria Cougars right after being granted an NHL franchise. They kept the Cougars nickname until they adopted the “Falcons” moniker in 1930, which gave way to the Red Wings rebranding in 1932 when new owner James E. Norris, went to his roots of a former team association in Montreal that used a  winged-wheel emblem based on that organization cycling roots—the new nickname stuck with the Detroit auto industry connection. The most successful US team is the franchise, with eleven Stanley Cup Titles.

New York Rangers

Team Name: New York Rangers

Seasons: 97 (1926-27 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 62

NHL Championships: 4 (4 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 257-280

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 3005-2770-808-173 (6991 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Rod Gilbert, 406

All-time Points Leader: Rod Gilbert, 1021

Most Goals, Season: Jaromír Jágr (2005-06), 54

Most Points, Season: Jaromír Jágr (2005-06), 123

Another American product of the 1926 expansion is the NY Rangers, founded by Tex Rickard, the then President of the Madison Square Gardens in the Big Apple. They competed with the rival franchise, the New York Americans, for years and eventually found their way to win four NHL Titles. They were, however, the first US-based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1928.

Era of Expansion

The original six were in the NHL for almost four decades until the mid-1960s, when the NHL brass felt it was time to grow and cultivate the League by adding franchises. The growth into the US market doubled in size to 12 teams for the 1967–68 season by adding these favorite NHL expansion teams:

Los Angeles Kings

Team Name: Los Angeles Kings

Seasons: 56 (1967-68 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 32

NHL Championships: 2 (2 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 116-152

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1864-1887-424-191 (4343 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Luc Robitaille, 557

All-time Points Leader: Marcel Dionne, 1307

Most Goals, Season: Bernie Nicholls (1988-89), 70

Most Points, Season: Wayne Gretzky (1988-89), 168

The West Coast shores of Southern California seemed an unlikely place to drop a hockey team, but this was a target market for the NHL. The rumors of the Western Hockey League as a competition to the NHL fueled the move to establish an NHL base in SoCal. The Kings have won the Stanley Cup twice since their inception.

Dallas Stars

Team Names: Dallas Stars, Minnesota North Stars

Seasons: 56 (1967-68 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 35

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 198-194

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1955-1767-459-186 (4555 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Mike Modano, 557

All-time Points Leader: Mike Modano, 1359

Most Goals, Season: Dino Ciccarelli (1981-82), Brian Bellows (1989-90), 55

Most Points, Season: Bobby Smith (1981-82), 114

We know the Minnesota North Stars as the Dallas Stars since the 1993 relocation.

Philadelphia Flyers

Team Name: Philadelphia Flyers

Seasons: 56 (1967-68 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 40

NHL Championships: 2 (2 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 231-218

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 2153-1547-457-211 (4974 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Bill Barber, 420

All-time Points Leader: Bobby Clarke, 1210

Most Goals, Season: Reggie Leach (1975-76), 61

Most Points, Season: Mark Recchi (1992-93), 123

The Flyers came into the NHL by taking their 20 allotted restricted selections of the 1967 Entry Draft and purchasing the minor-league Quebec Aces, giving the early Philly squads a distinctly French-Canadian style of play. The Flyers have won two Stanley Cups since their inception in their journey.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Team Name: Pittsburgh Penguins

Seasons: 56 (1967-68 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 37

NHL Championships: 5 (5 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 212-186

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 2004-1803-383-177 (4568 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Mario Lemieux, 690

All-time Points Leader: Mario Lemieux, 1723

Most Goals, Season: Mario Lemieux (1988-89), 85

Most Points, Season: Mario Lemieux (1988-89), 199

Pittsburgh’s Penguins weren’t hatched in an icy nest but born from a fan contest. The 1967 expansion team craved a name reflecting its home city’s frozen legacy. Thousands of ideas later, “Penguins” soared to the top, inspired by the Civic Arena’s igloo-like dome and the city’s love for the playful birds. The town was granted a franchise from its success in the NHL, the Pittsburgh Hornets, and a consolidated effort from a local Congressman, Art Rooney of the Steelers, and the prestigious families of the Mellons and Heinz. The Pens have won five Stanley Cups since 1990.

Cleveland Barons

Team Names: Cleveland Barons, California Golden Seals, Oakland Seals

Seasons: 11 (1967-68 to 1977-78)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 2

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 3-8

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 229-488-141-0 (599 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Dennis Maruk, 94

All-time Points Leader: Al MacAdam, 217

Most Goals, Season: Dennis Maruk (1977-78), 36

Most Points, Season: Dennis Maruk (1976-77), 78

The California Golden Seals were a former Western Hockey League club based in San Francisco that jumped ship to the NHL in 1967. In the mid-1970s, they moved to Ohio to become the Cleveland Barons and then folded after two years of operations there.

St. Louis Blues

Team Name: St. Louis Blues

Seasons: 56 (1967-68 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 45

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 188-228

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 2032-1720-432-186 (4682 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Brett Hull, 527

All-time Points Leader: Bernie Federko, 1073

Most Goals, Season: Brett Hull (1990-91), 86

Most Points, Season: Brett Hull (1990-91), 131

St. Louis embraced the moniker, christening their new hockey franchise, the “St. Louis Blues,” forever intertwining the team’s identity with the music that defines their city inspired by a a blues song penned by W.C. Handy in 1914. The Blues drank from the Stanley Cup once in 2019.

Need for North of the Border Teams

This initial American expansion caused a bit of an uproar with the fans of Canada who now had only two cities represented in the twelve-team organization. A second expansion era from 1970 through 1974 helped ease these tensions.

1970 Teams Added:

Vancouver Canucks

Team Name: Vancouver Canucks

Seasons: 53 (1970-71 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 28

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 111-135

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1750-1822-391-181 (4072 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Daniel Sedin, 393

All-time Points Leader: Henrik Sedin, 1070

Most Goals, Season: Pavel Bure (1992-93), Pavel Bure (1993-94), 60

Most Points, Season: Henrik Sedin (2009-10), 112

Buffalo Sabres

Team Name: Buffalo Sabres

Seasons: 53 (1970-71 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 29

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 124-132

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1893-1653-409-189 (4384 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Gilbert Perreault, 512

All-time Points Leader: Gilbert Perreault, 1326

Most Goals, Season: Alexander Mogilny (1992-93), 76

Most Points, Season: Pat LaFontaine (1992-93), 148

1972 Teams Added:

Calgary Flames

Team Names: Calgary Flames, Atlanta Flames

Seasons: 51 (1972-73 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 31

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 110-140

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1867-1559-379-183 (4296 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Jarome Iginla, 525

All-time Points Leader: Jarome Iginla, 1095

Most Goals, Season: Lanny McDonald (1982-83), 66

Most Points, Season: Kent Nilsson (1980-81), 131

Originally known as the Atlanta Flames, the franchise eventually moved to Calgary.

New York Islanders

Team Name: New York Islanders

Seasons: 51 (1972-73 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 28

NHL Championships: 4 (4 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 174-145

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1783-1661-347-194 (4107 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Mike Bossy, 573

All-time Points Leader: Bryan Trottier, 1353

Most Goals, Season: Mike Bossy (1978-79), 69

Most Points, Season: Mike Bossy (1981-82), 147

 1974 Teams Added:

New Jersey Devils

Team Names: New Jersey Devils, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Scouts

Seasons: 49 (1974-75 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 24

NHL Championships: 3 (3 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 142-129

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1630-1683-328-188 (3776 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Patrik Eliáš, 408

All-time Points Leader: Patrik Eliáš, 1025

Most Goals, Season: Brian Gionta (2005-06), 48

Most Points, Season: Jack Hughes (2022-23), 99

Originally known as the Kansas City Scouts, the team became the Colorado Rockies in 1976, and then in 1982, a move East rebranded the franchise as the Devils.

Washington Capitals

Team Name: Washington Capitals

Seasons: 49 (1974-75 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 32

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 140-161

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1796-1539-303-190 (4085 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Alex Ovechkin, 828

All-time Points Leader: Alex Ovechkin, 1505

Most Goals, Season: Alex Ovechkin (2007-08), 65

Most Points, Season: Dennis Maruk (1981-82), 136

World Hockey Association Merger

Most of the 1970s were a battle of North American professional ice hockey supremacy as the NHL and the newcomer WHA battled for players’ rights in salary negotiations and courtrooms. Finally, in 1979, the bickering was over when the two rival leagues came to terms, and the World Hockey Association merged with the National Hockey League. Here are the new NHL franchises awarded from this.

Arizona Coyotes

Team Names: Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets

Seasons: 44 (1979-80 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 20

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 45-83

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1405-1572-266-188 (3264 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Shane Doan, 402

All-time Points Leader: Shane Doan, 972

Most Goals, Season: Teemu Selänne (1992-93), 76

Most Points, Season: Teemu Selänne (1992-93), 132

Originally, the Coyotes were the Winnipeg Jets, merged with the WHA until 1997, when they moved to the West to become the Phoenix and later Arizona Coyotes.

2023-24 Edmonton Oilers Roster and Statistics

Record: 15-15-1 (31 points), 6th in NHL Pacific Division  (Schedule and Results)

Last Game: W 4-3 vs. NYR

Next Game: Thursday, Dec. 28 vs. SJS

Coach: Jay Woodcroft (3-9-1), Kris Knoblauch (12-6-0)

Captain: Connor McDavid

Primary Arena: Rogers Place

Goals For: 108 (11th of 32), Goals Against: 106 (18th of 32)
SRS: 0.14 (14th of 32),  SOS: 0.07 (7th of 32)

Carolina Hurricanes

Team Names: Carolina Hurricanes, Hartford Whalers

Seasons: 44 (1979-80 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 18

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 91-99

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1484-1488-263-195 (3426 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Ron Francis, 382

All-time Points Leader: Ron Francis, 1175

Most Goals, Season: Blaine Stoughton (1979-80), 56

Most Points, Season: Mike Rogers (1979-80), 105

Originally known as the Hartford Whalers for a while after the merger, the team changed cities and mascots in 1997.

Colorado Avalanche

Team Names: Colorado Avalanche, Quebec Nordiques

Seasons: 44 (1979-80 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 28

NHL Championships: 3 (3 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 178-148

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1632-1381-261-158 (3683 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Joe Sakic, 625

All-time Points Leader: Joe Sakic, 1641

Most Goals, Season: Michel Goulet (1982-83), 57

Most Points, Season: Peter Šťastný (1981-82), 139

The Quebec Nordiques lasted in the NHL for a decade and a half, then moved to Denver to change into the Avalanche.

Additions of the New Millenium

After the ushering in of the twenty-first century, the League decided to expand again in some new thriving markets, thirsting for NHL action as more joined the fray.

San Jose Sharks

Team Name: San Jose Sharks

Seasons: 32 (1991-92 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 21

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 119-122

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1133-1023-121-195 (2582 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Patrick Marleau, 522

All-time Points Leader: Patrick Marleau, 1111

Most Goals, Season: Jonathan Cheechoo (2005-06), 56

Most Points, Season: Joe Thornton (2006-07), 114

Tampa Bay Lightning

Team Name: Tampa Bay Lightning

Seasons: 31 (1992-93 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 15

NHL Championships: 3 (3 Stanley Cups)

Playoff Record: 123-91

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1099-1013-112-169 (2479 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Steven Stamkos, 530

All-time Points Leader: Steven Stamkos, 1091

Most Goals, Season: Steven Stamkos (2011-12), 60

Most Points, Season: Nikita Kucherov (2018-19), 128

Ottawa Senators

Team Name: Ottawa Senators

Seasons: 31 (1992-93 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 16

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 72-79

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1055-1034-115-184 (2409 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Daniel Alfredsson, 426

All-time Points Leader: Daniel Alfredsson, 1108

Most Goals, Season: Dany Heatley (2005-06), Dany Heatley (2006-07), 50

Most Points, Season: Dany Heatley (2006-07), 105

Anaheim Ducks

Team Names: Anaheim Ducks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Seasons: 30 (1993-94 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 14

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 89-73

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1056-939-107-206 (2425 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Teemu Selänne, 457

All-time Points Leader: Ryan Getzlaf, 1019

Most Goals, Season: Teemu Selänne (1997-98), 52

Most Points, Season: Teemu Selänne (1996-97), 109

This franchise started as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and, in 2006, emerged as the Anaheim Ducks after the House of Mouse sold the franchise, ending one of Disney’s longest-running and expensive movie promotions.

Florida Panthers

Team Name: Florida Panthers

Seasons: 30 (1993-94 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 9

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 38-47

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 1008-932-142-224 (2382 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Aleksander Barkov, 254

All-time Points Leader: Aleksander Barkov, 663

Most Goals, Season: Pavel Bure (2000-01), 59

Most Points, Season: Jonathan Huberdeau (2021-22), 115

Nashville Predators

Team Name: Nashville Predators

Seasons: 25 (1998-99 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 15

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 54-71

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 958-733-60-178 (2154 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Filip Forsberg, 255

All-time Points Leader: Roman Josi, 628

Most Goals, Season: Matt Duchene (2021-22), 43

Most Points, Season: Roman Josi (2021-22), 96

Winnipeg Jets

Team Names: Winnipeg Jets, Atlanta Thrashers

Seasons: 24 (1999-00 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 7

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 17-31

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 829-803-45-170 (1873 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Ilya Kovalchuk, 328

All-time Points Leader: Blake Wheeler, 812

Most Goals, Season: Ilya Kovalchuk (2005-06), Ilya Kovalchuk (2007-08), 52

Most Points, Season: Marián Hossa (2006-07), 100

The Atlanta Thrashers expansion team survived for a few years in Hot-lanta but, in 2011, moved North to become the new Winnipeg Jets (not to be confused with the WHA merged team formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets and now named the Arizona Coyotes. Confused yet?

Minnesota Wild

Team Name: Minnesota Wild

Seasons: 23 (2000-01 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 13

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 34-62

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 873-659-55-176 (1977 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Marián Gáborík, 219

All-time Points Leader: Mikko Koivu, 709

Most Goals, Season: Kirill Kaprizov (2021-22), 47

Most Points, Season: Kirill Kaprizov (2021-22), 108

Columbus Blue Jackets

Team Name: Columbus Blue Jackets

Seasons: 23 (2000-01 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 6

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 15-26

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 751-802-33-181 (1716 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Rick Nash, 289

All-time Points Leader: Rick Nash, 547

Most Goals, Season: Rick Nash (2003-04), Cam Atkinson (2018-19), 41

Most Points, Season: Artemi Panarin (2018-19), 87

Vegas Golden Knights

Team Name: Vegas Golden Knights

Seasons: 7 (2017-18 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 5

NHL Championships: 1 (1 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 54-34

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 288-156-0-46 (622 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Jonathan Marchessault, 167

All-time Points Leader: Jonathan Marchessault, 374

Most Goals, Season: William Karlsson (2017-18), 43

Most Points, Season: William Karlsson (2017-18), 78

Seattle Kraken

Team Name: Seattle Kraken

Seasons: 3 (2021-22 to 2023-24)

NHL Playoff Appearances: 1

NHL Championships: 0 (0 Stanley Cup)

Playoff Record: 7-7

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 85-91-0-23 (193 points)

All-time Goals Leader: Jared McCann, 81

All-time Points Leader: Jared McCann, 141

Most Goals, Season: Jared McCann (2022-23), 40

Most Points, Season: Jared McCann (2022-23), 70

Conclusion

As you have seen, the NHL is vibrant and dynamic as the League adds teams, allows movement and rebrandings, and even causes departures for those with financial difficulty. The expansion efforts have created a thriving conglomerate of teams and raised the competitive nature of the sport while allowing more fans around North America to enjoy watching live games. Who knows where they go from here?

What new NHL teams are expanding?

The NHL currently has not announced any further plans of expansion as of December 2023.

What are the two newest NHL teams?

The Golden Knights and the Kraken are the newest teams to join the NHL.

What is the largest city without an NHL team?

Houston and Atlanta are probably the largest North American cities without an NHL franchise. San Francisco and Cleveland would also be possible options.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 5:56 pm and is filed under NHL History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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