History of organizational changes in the NHL

List of NHL organizational changes

The following is a complete history of organizational changes in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL was founded in 1917 as a successor to the National Hockey Association (NHA), starting out with four teams from the predecessor league, and eventually grew to thirty-two in its current state. The NHL has expanded and contracted numerous times throughout its history, including in 1979 when four teams came over from the World Hockey Association (WHA).

## Timeline[edit]

## Early years (1917–1942)[edit]

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1917–1942)

### Four/three teams (1917–19)[edit]

The four teams that began the inaugural NHL season were the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Wanderers, the original Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Arenas. However, after completing four games, the Wanderers withdrew from the league due to their arena burning down, and the NHL continued that season and the next with only three teams.

Withdrew after four games into the 1917–18 season §

1917–18 to 1918–19 NHL teams  Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Montreal Wanderers § | 0 | Ottawa Senators | 0 | Toronto Arenas

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### Four teams (1919–24)[edit]

In its third season, 1919–20, the NHL underwent its first expansion, adding the Quebec Bulldogs. Toronto changed its name to Toronto St. Patricks.

First season in the NHL *

1919–20 NHL teams  Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Ottawa Senators | 0 | Quebec Bulldogs * | 0 | Toronto St. Patricks

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#### 1920: Quebec relocates to Hamilton[edit]

For the 1920–21 season, Quebec relocated to Hamilton and changed their name, becoming the Hamilton Tigers.

1920–21 to 1923–24 NHL teams  Hamilton Tigers | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Ottawa Senators | 0 | Toronto St. Patricks

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### Six teams (1924–25)[edit]

Two new teams joined the NHL in its eighth season, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons, the first expansion team in the United States.

First season in the NHL *  | Last season in the NHL †

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1924–25 NHL teams  Boston Bruins * | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Ottawa Senators

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Hamilton Tigers † | 0 | Montreal Maroons * | 0 | Toronto St. Patricks

### Seven teams (1925–26)[edit]

The next season, the NHL added two new teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Americans. The Americans were stocked by purchasing the contracts of the Hamilton Tigers players, and the Tigers franchise was subsequently revoked by the league.

First season in the NHL *

1925–26 NHL teams  Boston Bruins | 0 | Montreal Maroons | 0 | Pittsburgh Pirates * | 0 | Toronto St. Patricks

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Montreal Canadiens | 0 | New York Americans * | 0 | Ottawa Senators | 0 |

### Ten teams (1926–31)[edit]

The NHL continued to expand the following 1926–27 season, adding the Chicago Black Hawks, the Detroit Cougars, and the New York Rangers, growing to ten teams, thus more than doubling its size in its first decade of existence. The league realigned into two divisions: the American Division and the Canadian Division. Despite its name, the Canadian Division contained at least one team based in the U.S. throughout its existence. At the same time, the Stanley Cup was contested between two NHL teams for the first time instead of outside league.

Midway through the 1926–27 season, the Toronto St. Patricks were sold and renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs, however the league ruled the team must use the St. Patricks name until season's end.

1926–27 was the first season in the NHL *

1926–27 to 1929–30 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons | Chicago Black Hawks *
New York Americans | Detroit Cougars *
Ottawa Senators | New York Rangers *
Toronto St. Patricks/Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Pirates

#### 1930: Pittsburgh relocates to Philadelphia[edit]

For the 1930–31 season, the Pirates moved from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, becoming the Philadelphia Quakers, and Detroit was renamed the Detroit Falcons.

Last season before hiatus, rejoined NHL later ^  | Last season in the NHL †

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1930–31 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons | Chicago Black Hawks
New York Americans | Detroit Falcons
Ottawa Senators ^  | New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs | Philadelphia Quakers †

### Eight teams (1931–32)[edit]

After fourteen seasons of steady expansion, the NHL contracted to eight teams, dropping the Philadelphia Quakers and the original Ottawa Senators for the 1931–32 season.

1931–32 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons | Chicago Black Hawks
New York Americans | Detroit Falcons
Toronto Maple Leafs | New York Rangers

### Nine teams (1932–35)[edit]

For the 1932–33 season, after missing one season, the original Ottawa Senators rejoined the NHL, and the Detroit Falcons were renamed the Detroit Red Wings.

Rejoined NHL *

1932–33 to 1933–34 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons | Chicago Black Hawks
New York Americans | Detroit Red Wings
Ottawa Senators *  | New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs |

#### 1934: Ottawa relocates to St. Louis[edit]

For the 1934–35 season, the Ottawa Senators relocated, becoming the St. Louis Eagles.

Last season in the NHL †

1934–35 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons | Chicago Black Hawks
New York Americans | Detroit Red Wings
St. Louis Eagles †  | New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs |

### Eight teams (1935–38)[edit]

The Eagles folded after one season, and the NHL was once again an eight-team league for three seasons.

Withdrew after the 1937–38 season †

1935–36 to 1937–38 NHL teams  Canadian Division | American Division

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Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins
Montreal Maroons †  | Chicago Black Hawks
New York Americans | Detroit Red Wings
Toronto Maple Leafs | New York Rangers

### Seven teams (1938–42)[edit]

The Montreal Maroons withdrew from the league for the 1938–39 season, further reducing the number of teams in the NHL to seven, shrinking to the size the league was in 1925–26. Play continued for four seasons with seven teams, with one single league table instead of any conference or divisions.

1938–39 to 1941–42 NHL teams  Boston Bruins | 0 | Detroit Red Wings | 0 | New York Rangers | 0 | Toronto Maple Leafs

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Chicago Black Hawks | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | New York Americans | 0 |

#### 1941: The Americans change their name[edit]

The New York Americans changed their name to the Brooklyn Americans for the 1941–42 season, their last.

Folded after the 1941–42 season †

1938–39 to 1941–42 NHL teams  Boston Bruins | 0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Toronto Maple Leafs

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Brooklyn Americans † | 0 | Detroit Red Wings | 0 | New York Rangers | 0 |

## Original Six (1942–1967)[edit]

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1942–1967) and Original Six

The 1942–43 season saw the folding of the Brooklyn Americans and ushered in an unprecedented era of franchise stability in the NHL, which lasted without any organizational changes for twenty-five seasons. Eventually, the six teams that competed in the league during this period would come to be known as the Original Six.

Original Six: 1942–43 to 1966–67 NHL teams  Boston Bruins | 0 | Detroit Red Wings | 0 | New York Rangers

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Chicago Black Hawks | 0 | Montreal Canadiens | 0 | Toronto Maple Leafs

## Expansion years (1967–1991)[edit]

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1967–1992) and 1967 NHL expansion

### Twelve teams (1967–70)[edit]

The 1967 expansion doubled the number of teams in the league, with an upfront expansion fee of $2 million each ($18.3 million today).[1] For the 1967–68 season, six new teams were added to the NHL: the California Seals, the Los Angeles Kings, the Minnesota North Stars, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues.

Within a month into their first season, the California Seals became the Oakland Seals.

All Original Six teams were placed in the East Division

All 1967 expansion teams were placed in the West Division
1967–68 to 1969–70 NHL teams  East Division | West Division

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Boston Bruins | Los Angeles Kings
Chicago Black Hawks | Minnesota North Stars
Detroit Red Wings | Oakland Seals
Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers
New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins
Toronto Maple Leafs | St. Louis Blues

### Fourteen teams (1970–72)[edit]

The Oakland Seals were renamed the Bay Area Seals for two games before changing their name again to the California Golden Seals for their fourth season in 1970–71. The same season the NHL added two new teams, the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks, paying an expansion fee of $6 million each ($47.1 million today).[1] The Sabres and the Canucks were placed in the East (partially as an effort to provide greater balance between the divisions, and also so they would have rivalries with the other two Canadian teams), while the Chicago Black Hawks moved to the West.

1970–71 was the first season in the NHL *

1970–71 to 1971–72 NHL teams  East Division | West Division

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Boston Bruins | California Golden Seals
Buffalo Sabres *  | Chicago Black Hawks
Detroit Red Wings | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | Minnesota North Stars
New York Rangers | Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins
Vancouver Canucks *  | St. Louis Blues

### Sixteen teams (1972–74)[edit]

Two more teams joined for the 1972–73 NHL season, the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames. With the competing World Hockey Association (WHA) starting that same season, the NHL was not able to raise its expansion fee from the price of two years earlier, $6 million ($43.7 million today), with the Islanders paying an additional $5 million ($36.4 million today) to the New York Rangers for infringing on their territory.[2] The Islanders were placed in the East and the Flames were placed in the West.

1972–73 was the first season in the NHL *

1972–73 to 1973–74 NHL teams  East Division | West Division

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Boston Bruins | Atlanta Flames *
Buffalo Sabres | California Golden Seals
Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks
Montreal Canadiens | Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders *  | Minnesota North Stars
New York Rangers | Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins
Vancouver Canucks | St. Louis Blues

### Eighteen teams (1974–78)[edit]

Two more teams joined for the 1974–75 NHL season, the Washington Capitals and the Kansas City Scouts, but the ongoing competition from the WHA meant that the overall revenue stream of the NHL had not improved, so the league kept the expansion fee for new owners at the $6 million ($37.1 million today) of two years and four years earlier.[2] The earnings situation for the new franchises was so poor that (at least) the Capitals were able to negotiate a reduction to a total fee of $2.85 million ($17.6 million today).[2]

With 18 teams, the league realigned into four divisions and two conferences. The teams were mixed up regardless of North American geography, and thus the new conferences and divisions were not named after geographical references. The East Division became the Prince of Wales Conference and consisted of the Adams Division and Norris Division. The West Division became the Clarence Campbell Conference and consisted of the Patrick Division and Smythe Division.

1974–75 was the first season in the NHL *

1974–75 to 1975–76 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Norris | Patrick | Smythe
Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Atlanta Flames | Chicago Black Hawks
Buffalo Sabres | Los Angeles Kings | New York Islanders | Kansas City Scouts *
California Golden Seals | Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues
| Washington Capitals *  |  | Vancouver Canucks

### 1976: Two teams relocate[edit]

Going into the 1976–77 NHL season, the California Golden Seals relocated to become the Cleveland Barons, and the Kansas City Scouts moved to become the Colorado Rockies.

Dissolved after the 1977–78 season †

1976–77 to 1977–78 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Norris | Patrick | Smythe
Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Atlanta Flames | Chicago Black Hawks
Buffalo Sabres | Los Angeles Kings | New York Islanders | Colorado Rockies
Cleveland Barons †  | Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues
| Washington Capitals |  | Vancouver Canucks

### Seventeen teams (1978–79)[edit]

For the first time since the 1942–43 season, the NHL contracted, merging the Cleveland Barons into the Minnesota North Stars. The North Stars then took the Barons' place in the Adams Division.

1978–79 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Norris | Patrick | Smythe
Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Atlanta Flames | Chicago Black Hawks
Buffalo Sabres | Los Angeles Kings | New York Islanders | Colorado Rockies
Minnesota North Stars | Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins | Philadelphia Flyers | Vancouver Canucks
| Washington Capitals |

### Twenty-one teams (1979–91)[edit]

Following seven seasons of revenue draining competition, the NHL–WHA merger was completed for the start of the 1979–80 NHL season. Four teams came over from the WHA, paying an expansion fee of $7.5 million each ($31.5 million today).[1] These new NHL teams were the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and the original Winnipeg Jets. This also doubled the number of Canadian teams in the league. Standing at 21 teams for twelve seasons, this was one of the longer periods of league stability, though surpassed by twenty-five seasons of the Original Six, when no additions, moves, nor name changes occurred.

The Nordiques were placed in the Adams Division, the Whalers in the Norris, and the Oilers and the Jets in the Smythe. The Washington Capitals moved from the Norris to the Patrick Division. The divisions were effectively meaningless as all teams played a balanced schedule and each round of the playoffs was re-seeded by league point standings rather than divisional.

Teams from the WHA *

1979–80 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Norris | Patrick | Smythe
Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Atlanta Flames | Chicago Black Hawks
Buffalo Sabres | Hartford Whalers *  | New York Islanders | Colorado Rockies
Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings | New York Rangers | Edmonton Oilers *
Quebec Nordiques *  | Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins | Washington Capitals | Vancouver Canucks
| Winnipeg Jets *

### 1980: Flames relocate to Calgary[edit]

For the 1980–81 season, Atlanta relocated and became the Calgary Flames.

1980–81 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Norris | Patrick | Smythe
Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Calgary Flames | Chicago Black Hawks
Buffalo Sabres | Hartford Whalers | New York Islanders | Colorado Rockies
Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings | New York Rangers | Edmonton Oilers
Quebec Nordiques | Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs | Pittsburgh Penguins | Washington Capitals | Vancouver Canucks
| Winnipeg Jets

### 1981 realignment[edit]

For the 1981–82 season, the teams were realigned to reduce travel. Also, the Norris Division moved to the Campbell Conference and the Patrick Division moved to the Wales Conference.

1981–82 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Patrick | Norris | Smythe
Boston Bruins | New York Islanders | Chicago Black Hawks | Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres | New York Rangers | Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Rockies
Hartford Whalers | Philadelphia Flyers | Minnesota North Stars | Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens | Pittsburgh Penguins | St. Louis Blues | Los Angeles Kings
Quebec Nordiques | Washington Capitals | Toronto Maple Leafs | Vancouver Canucks
| Winnipeg Jets |

### 1982: Colorado relocates to New Jersey[edit]

For the 1982–83 season, the Colorado Rockies moved, becoming the New Jersey Devils. The team was moved to the Patrick Division, while the Winnipeg Jets took their place in the Smythe Division.

1982–83 to 1985–86 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Patrick | Norris | Smythe
Boston Bruins | New Jersey Devils | Chicago Black Hawks | Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres | New York Islanders | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks
Quebec Nordiques | Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets
| Washington Capitals |

### 1986: Chicago changes the spelling of its name[edit]

The Chicago Black Hawks changed their name to Chicago Blackhawks for the 1986–87 season.

1986–87 to 1990–91 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Patrick | Norris | Smythe
Boston Bruins | New Jersey Devils | Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres | New York Islanders | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks
Quebec Nordiques | Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets
| Washington Capitals |

## Further expansion (1991–present)[edit]

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1992–present)

In 1990, the owners developed a plan to expand the NHL to 28 teams within a decade.[3] The plan was enacted, creating ten years of rapid expansion and relocation in the NHL. While the pace of expansion and relocation slowed after the 1999–2000 season, growth and change continue to be a normal development.

### Twenty-two teams (1991–92)[edit]

The 1991–92 season saw the addition of the San Jose Sharks, paying an expansion fee of $45 million ($100.7 million today).[1] The Sharks were placed in the Smythe Division with the other West Coast teams.

1991–92 was the first season in the NHL *

1991–92 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Patrick | Norris | Smythe
Boston Bruins | New Jersey Devils | Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres | New York Islanders | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks *
Quebec Nordiques | Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Vancouver Canucks
| Washington Capitals |  | Winnipeg Jets

### Twenty-four teams (1992–93)[edit]

Two new teams joined the league the following season, the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning, paying an expansion fee of $45 million each ($97.7 million today).[1] The Senators were placed in the Adams Division, and the Lightning in the Norris, so all four divisions would have six teams each.

1992–93 was the first season in the NHL *

1992–93 NHL teams  Wales | Campbell

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Adams | Patrick | Norris | Smythe
Boston Bruins | New Jersey Devils | Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres | New York Islanders | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers | New York Rangers | Minnesota North Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks
Ottawa Senators *  | Pittsburgh Penguins | Tampa Bay Lightning *  | Vancouver Canucks
Quebec Nordiques | Washington Capitals | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets

### Twenty-six teams (1993–98)[edit]

The next season, another two teams were added, the Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, paying an expansion fee of $50 million each ($105.5 million today), with Anaheim paying an additional $25 million ($52.7 million today) to the Los Angeles Kings for infringing on their region.[1] The Minnesota North Stars relocated, becoming the Dallas Stars.

The league changed the conference names from Wales and Campbell to Eastern and Western, respectively, and changed the division names from Adams, Patrick, Norris, and Smythe to Northeast, Atlantic, Central, and Pacific, respectively.

Finally, the league realigned several teams. With the expansion Mighty Ducks joining the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, the original Winnipeg Jets left the Pacific for the Central, the Tampa Bay Lightning left the Central Division and Western Conference for the Atlantic and the Eastern, respectively, and the Pittsburgh Penguins left the Atlantic Division for the Northeast to make room for the expansion Florida Panthers.[4]

1993–94 was the first season in the NHL *

1993–94 to 1994–95 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Northeast | Atlantic | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Florida Panthers *  | Chicago Blackhawks | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim *
Buffalo Sabres | New Jersey Devils | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
Hartford Whalers | New York Islanders | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | St. Louis Blues | Los Angeles Kings
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | Toronto Maple Leafs | San Jose Sharks
Pittsburgh Penguins | Tampa Bay Lightning | Winnipeg Jets | Vancouver Canucks
Quebec Nordiques | Washington Capitals |

### 1995: Nordiques relocate to Colorado[edit]

For the 1995–96 season, the Quebec Nordiques relocated and became the Colorado Avalanche. The team also switched conferences, moving from the Northeast Division in the East to the Pacific Division in the West.

1995–96 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Atlantic | Northeast | Central | Pacific
Florida Panthers | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
New Jersey Devils | Buffalo Sabres | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
New York Islanders | Hartford Whalers | Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Avalanche
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | St. Louis Blues | Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Toronto Maple Leafs | Los Angeles Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Jets | San Jose Sharks
Washington Capitals |  | Vancouver Canucks

### 1996: Jets relocate to Phoenix[edit]

The 1996–97 season, the original Winnipeg Jets moved, becoming the Phoenix Coyotes. The team remained in the Central Division.

1996–97 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Atlantic | Northeast | Central | Pacific
Florida Panthers | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
New Jersey Devils | Buffalo Sabres | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
New York Islanders | Hartford Whalers | Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Avalanche
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Phoenix Coyotes | Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | St. Louis Blues | Los Angeles Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | San Jose Sharks
Washington Capitals |  | Vancouver Canucks

### 1997: Whalers relocate to the Carolinas[edit]

The 1997–98 season saw the Hartford Whalers relocate, becoming the Carolina Hurricanes. The team remained in the Northeast Division.

1997–98 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Atlantic | Northeast | Central | Pacific
Florida Panthers | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
New Jersey Devils | Buffalo Sabres | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
New York Islanders | Carolina Hurricanes | Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Avalanche
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Phoenix Coyotes | Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | St. Louis Blues | Los Angeles Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | San Jose Sharks
Washington Capitals |  | Vancouver Canucks

### Twenty-seven teams (1998–99)[edit]

The Nashville Predators joined the league for the 1998–99 season, paying an expansion fee of $80 million ($149.5 million today).[1] The league also realigned to a strictly geographic six-division structure, with three per conference. The Eastern Conference had the Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast divisions, while the Western Conference had the Central, Northwest, and Pacific divisions. The expansion Predators were placed in the Central Division. The Toronto Maple Leafs were the only team to switch conferences, moving from the Western to the Eastern and the Northeast Division, rejoining classic East Division and Adams Division rivals for the first time since the respective 1973–74 and 1980–81 seasons.

1998–99 was the first season in the NHL *

1998–99 NHL teams  Eastern | Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast

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New Jersey Devils | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes
New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | Florida Panthers
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Tampa Bay Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs |
Western | Central | Northwest | Pacific
Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Avalanche | Dallas Stars
Nashville Predators *  | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks | Phoenix Coyotes
| San Jose Sharks

### Twenty-eight teams (1999–2000)[edit]

The 1999–2000 season saw another team start play, the Atlanta Thrashers, paying the same expansion fee of $80 million ($146.3 million today) as the Predators a year earlier.[1] The Thrashers were placed in the Southeast Division.

1999–2000 was the first season in the NHL *

1999–2000 NHL teams  Eastern | Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast

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New Jersey Devils | Boston Bruins | Atlanta Thrashers *
New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | Carolina Hurricanes
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Tampa Bay Lightning
Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals
Western | Central | Northwest | Pacific
Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Detroit Red Wings | Colorado Avalanche | Dallas Stars
Nashville Predators | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks | Phoenix Coyotes
| San Jose Sharks

### Thirty teams (2000–2017)[edit]

For its 2000–01 season, the NHL added the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild, each paying the same expansion fee of $80 million ($141.5 million today) as Nashville and Atlanta in the previous two years.[1] The Blue Jackets were placed in the Central Division and the Wild in the Northwest so all six divisions would each have five teams.

For the next 17 seasons, the NHL maintained 30 teams, the second longest period of membership stability in its history, the first being the Original Six.

2000–01 was the first season in the NHL *

2000–01 to 2005–06 NHL teams  Eastern | Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast

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New Jersey Devils | Boston Bruins | Atlanta Thrashers
New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | Carolina Hurricanes
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Tampa Bay Lightning
Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals
Western | Central | Northwest | Pacific
Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Columbus Blue Jackets *  | Colorado Avalanche | Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings
Nashville Predators | Minnesota Wild *  | Phoenix Coyotes
St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks

### 2006: Anaheim shortens its name[edit]

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim changed their name to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2006–07 season. The newly renamed Ducks would win the Stanley Cup that season.

2006–07 to 2010–11 NHL teams  Eastern | Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast

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New Jersey Devils | Boston Bruins | Atlanta Thrashers
New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | Carolina Hurricanes
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Tampa Bay Lightning
Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals
Western | Central | Northwest | Pacific
Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames | Anaheim Ducks
Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings
Nashville Predators | Minnesota Wild | Phoenix Coyotes
St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks

### 2011: Thrashers relocate to Winnipeg[edit]

The Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, becoming the second version of the Winnipeg Jets, beginning in the 2011–12 season. The team remained in the Southeast Division.

2011–12 to 2012–13 NHL teams  Eastern | Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast

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New Jersey Devils | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes
New York Islanders | Buffalo Sabres | Florida Panthers
New York Rangers | Montreal Canadiens | Tampa Bay Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers | Ottawa Senators | Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets
Western | Central | Northwest | Pacific
Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames | Anaheim Ducks
Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings
Nashville Predators | Minnesota Wild | Phoenix Coyotes
St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks

### 2013 realignment[edit]

Main article: 2013–14 NHL season § Realignment

The 2011 relocation of the former Atlanta Thrashers franchise to the Winnipeg Jets prompted the league to discuss realignment. However, disagreement between the NHL Board of Governors and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) caused it to be pushed to 2013.

On December 5, 2011, the NHL Board of Governors originally approved a conference realignment plan to move from a six-division setup to a four-conference structure.[5] However, on January 6, 2012, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) rejected that proposed realignment.[6][7] A new joint NHL-NHLPA plan was proposed in February 2013 as a modification of the previous plan with both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings moving to the East and the Winnipeg Jets moving to the West. The NHLPA officially gave its consent to the NHL's proposed plan on March 7,[8] and then the NHL's Board of Governors approved the realignment on March 14, to be implemented prior to the 2013–14 season.[9] The league then announced the names of the divisions on July 19: the two eight-team divisions in the Eastern Conference would be the Atlantic Division and the Metropolitan Division, and the two seven-team divisions in the Western Conference would be the Central Division and the Pacific Division.[10]

2013–14 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks
Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Calgary Flames
Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Dallas Stars | Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Minnesota Wild | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Nashville Predators | Phoenix Coyotes
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Jets | Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals |

### 2014: The Coyotes change their name[edit]

The Phoenix Coyotes changed their name to Arizona Coyotes for the 2014–15 season.

2014–15 to 2016–17 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

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Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks
Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Arizona Coyotes
Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Minnesota Wild | Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Nashville Predators | Los Angeles Kings
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Jets | Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals |

### Thirty-one teams (2017–2021)[edit]

On June 22, 2016, the Board of Governors voted 30–0 to add an expansion franchise in Las Vegas for the 2017–18 season, charging an expansion fee of $500 million ($634.8 million today).[1] The Vegas Golden Knights joined the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

2017–18 was the first season in the NHL *

2017–18 to 2019–20 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

|

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks
Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Arizona Coyotes
Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames
Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Minnesota Wild | Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Nashville Predators | Los Angeles Kings
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | San Jose Sharks
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Jets | Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals |  | Vegas Golden Knights *

### 2020–21: COVID-19 pandemic[edit]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the conclusion of the 2019–20 season and delayed and shortened the 2020–21 season, the NHL adopted a temporary divisional alignment for 2020–21. The primary considerations acknowledged by the league were the ongoing restrictions and quarantine requirements affecting the ability of its teams to cross the Canada–United States border. As a result, on December 20, 2020, the league announced it had temporarily suspended the Eastern and Western Conferences and realigned to four non-conference divisions: North, East, Central, and West. The North Division consisted of all seven Canadian teams and was the first all-Canadian division since the league first expanded into the United States in 1924. The regular season lasted 56 games and consisted solely of intra-divisional play.

2020–21 NHL teams  North | East | Central | West

|
|
|

Calgary Flames | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Anaheim Ducks
Edmonton Oilers | Buffalo Sabres | Chicago Blackhawks | Arizona Coyotes
Montreal Canadiens | New Jersey Devils | Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche
Ottawa Senators | New York Islanders | Dallas Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs | New York Rangers | Detroit Red Wings | Minnesota Wild
Vancouver Canucks | Philadelphia Flyers | Florida Panthers | St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets | Pittsburgh Penguins | Nashville Predators | San Jose Sharks
| Washington Capitals | Tampa Bay Lightning | Vegas Golden Knights

### Thirty-two teams (2021–2024)[edit]

On December 4, 2018, Seattle was announced as the location of a thirty-second franchise to begin play in the 2021–22 season, with an expansion fee of $650 million.[11] The league reverted to its pre-COVID-19 divisions in 2021. Under the realignment of those divisions that was announced prior to the pandemic, the expansion Seattle Kraken were placed in the Pacific Division, while the Arizona Coyotes returned to the Central Division.[11]

2021–22 was the first season in the NHL *  | 2023–24 was the last season in the NHL †

|

2021–22 to 2023–24 NHL teams  Eastern | Western

|

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Arizona Coyotes †  | Anaheim Ducks
Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Chicago Blackhawks | Calgary Flames
Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Colorado Avalanche | Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Dallas Stars | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Minnesota Wild | San Jose Sharks
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | Nashville Predators | Seattle Kraken *
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | St. Louis Blues | Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets | Vegas Golden Knights

### League expands to Utah, Coyotes suspend operations (2024–present)[edit]

On April 18, 2024, the Arizona Coyotes were deactivated, and its players and personnel were transferred to the Utah Hockey Club. The Coyotes franchise would be reactivated if a suitable arena is built in Arizona; if not, the Coyotes will cease operations.[12]

2024–25 is the first season in the NHL *

2024–25 to the present NHL teams  Eastern | Western

|

Atlantic | Metropolitan | Central | Pacific
Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | Chicago Blackhawks | Anaheim Ducks
Buffalo Sabres | Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | Calgary Flames
Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | Dallas Stars | Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers | New York Islanders | Minnesota Wild | Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | Nashville Predators | San Jose Sharks
Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | St. Louis Blues | Seattle Kraken
Tampa Bay Lightning | Pittsburgh Penguins | Utah Hockey Club *  | Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets | Vegas Golden Knights

## Expansion and dispersal drafts[edit]

See also: List of defunct and relocated National Hockey League teams

Draft  | Location  | City  | Date  | Expansion team(s)
(in 1st round order)  | Players drafted  | #1 pick (team the player
was taken from)

|
|
|
|
|
|

1967 | Queen Elizabeth Hotel | Montreal, Quebec | June 6, 1967 | Los Angeles Kings,
Philadelphia Flyers,
St. Louis Blues,
Minnesota North Stars,
Pittsburgh Penguins,
California Seals | 120  | Terry Sawchuk (Toronto Maple Leafs)
1970 | —  | —  | June 10, 1970 | Buffalo Sabres,
Vancouver Canucks | 40  | Tom Webster (Boston Bruins)
1972 | —  | —  | June 6, 1972 | Atlanta Flames,
New York Islanders | 42  | Phil Myre (Montreal Canadiens)
1974 | —  | —  | June 12, 1974 | Kansas City Scouts,
Washington Capitals | 48  | Michel Plasse (Montreal Canadiens)
1978
(dispersal)  | —  | —  | June 15, 1978 | merger of Cleveland Barons,
Minnesota North Stars | 2  | St. Louis Blues picked Mike Crombeen away from the merged team
1979 | —  | —  | June 13, 1979 | Hartford Whalers,
Winnipeg Jets,
Quebec Nordiques,
Edmonton Oilers | 65  | Alan Hangsleben (Montreal Canadiens)
1991
(dispersal, then expansion)  | —  | —  | May 30, 1991 | San Jose Sharks,
Minnesota North Stars | 44  | Dispersal: San Jose submitted a list of 14 players they would take from the existing Minnesota roster
Expansion: San Jose took Jeff Hackett (New York Islanders)
1992 | —  | —  | June 18, 1992 | Ottawa Senators,
Tampa Bay Lightning | 42  | Peter Sidorkiewicz (Hartford Whalers)
1993 | Quebec Coliseum | Quebec City, Quebec | June 24–25, 1993  | Florida Panthers,
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | 51  | John Vanbiesbrouck (Vancouver Canucks)
1998 | Marine Midland Arena | Buffalo, New York | June 26, 1998 | Nashville Predators | 26  | No true "first pick", as Nashville simply chose one player from each of the 26 teams.
1999 | FleetCenter | Boston, Massachusetts | June 25, 1999 | Atlanta Thrashers | 26  | No true "first pick", as Atlanta simply chose one player from each of the 26 teams (Nashville Predators were excluded).
2000 | Pengrowth Saddledome | Calgary, Alberta | June 23, 2000 | Columbus Blue Jackets,
Minnesota Wild | 52  | Rick Tabaracci (Colorado Avalanche)
2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Paradise, Nevada | June 21, 2017 | Vegas Golden Knights | 30  | No true "first pick", as Vegas simply chose one player from each of the 30 teams.
2021 | Gas Works Park | Seattle, Washington | July 21, 2021 | Seattle Kraken | 30  | No true "first pick", as Seattle simply chose one player from each of the 30 teams (Vegas Golden Knights were excluded).

## Possible expansion[edit]

Further information: Potential National Hockey League expansion

After the 2000–01 season, when the NHL completed its 1990 plan to grow to 30 teams, the league made statements to the effect that no further expansion or even relocation was planned for the foreseeable future. As shown above, no changes occurred until a relocation in the 2011–12 season, followed by semi-regular growth and change.

There have been rumors and talks of potential new sites for existing or new teams in various locations in the United States and Canada,[13] including Quebec City, Hartford, Portland (Oregon), Houston, Cincinnati, Saskatoon, Kansas City, Atlanta, Cleveland, Milwaukee, San Diego and second Southern Ontario team (although the league has actively blocked all of the Southern Ontario efforts to date, including in Hamilton, citing territorial concerns with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs).

## See also[edit]

* Timeline of the National Football League
* Timeline of Major League Baseball
* Timeline of the National Basketball Association

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Carp, Steve (2016-06-22). "Cost of NHL expansion team goes from $2 million to $500 million". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
2. ^ a b c "Franchise fees reduced". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. 1977-03-02. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
3. ^ Finn, Robin (1990-12-07). "Tampa and Ottawa gain N.H.L. franchises". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
4. ^ Kerr, Grant (April 1, 1993). "NHL formally announces complete realignment package". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. p. C8.
5. ^ Rosen, Dan (December 5, 2011). "Governors adopt radical four-conference realignment plan". NHL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
6. ^ NHL realignment on hold after union balks Archived September 18, 2012, at archive.today. The Sports Network. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
7. ^ NHL Alignment Will NOT Change as NHLPA Rejects Re-alignment. Here's why.... Hockeybuzz.com. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
8. ^ Dan Rosen (March 8, 2013). "Board of Governors Vote Next Step For Realignment Plan". NHL.com.
9. ^ Dan Rosen (March 14, 2013). "Realignment plan approved by Board of Governors". NHL.com.
10. ^ Dan Rosen (July 19, 2013). "NHL introduces new division names with schedule". NHL.com.
11. ^ a b Chiappelli, Kirstie (December 4, 2018). "Seattle lands NHL expansion team starting in 2021-22 season". Sporting News. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
12. ^ Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams,Scott; Novy-Williams, Eben; Soshnick, Scott (2024-04-18). "NHL Approves $1.2B Coyotes Sale to Utah's Ryan and Ashley Smith". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
13. ^ Earegood, Connor (June 12, 2023). "NHL Expansion: Six Cities Looking to Get In The Game". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 5, 2024.

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