NHL Franchise History
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of the franchise progression of the National Hockey League (NHL) from its inception in 1917-18. Teams will appear left to right as they enter/exit the league. Relocated and re-named teams will remain in the original chart position as NHL history dictates.
[edit] 1917-18
| Toronto Arenas | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Wanderers |
[edit] 1918-19
| Toronto Arenas | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|
- Montreal Wanderers widthdrew from league after rink was destroyed by fire
[edit] 1919-20
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec Bulldogs |
- Toronto Arenas re-named Toronto St. Pats
- Quebec Bulldogs join NHL
[edit] 1920-21
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Tigers |
- Quebec Bulldogs move to become Hamilton Tigers
[edit] 1921-22
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Tigers |
[edit] 1922-23
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Tigers |
[edit] 1923-24
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Tigers |
[edit] 1924-25
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Tigers | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
- Boston Bruins join NHL
- Montreal Maroons join NHL
[edit] 1925-26
| Toronto St. Pats | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
- Hamilton Tigers expelled
- Pittsburgh Pirates join NHL
- New York Americans join NHL
[edit] 1926-27
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Detroit Cougars | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
- Toronto St. Pats re-named Toronto Maple Leafs during the season
- Detroit Cougars join NHL
- Chicago Black Hawks join NHL
- New York Rangers join NHL
[edit] 1927-28
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Detroit Cougars | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
[edit] 1928-29
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Detroit Cougars | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
[edit] 1929-30
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Detroit Cougars | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
[edit] 1930-31
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Philadelphia Quakers | Detroit Falcons | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
- Detroit Cougars re-named Detroit Falcons
- Pittsburgh Pirates relocated as Philadelphia Quakers
[edit] 1931-32
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons | Detroit Falcons |
| Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- Ottawa Senators fold for the season
- Philadelphia Quakers widthdrew from league
[edit] 1932-33
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- Ottawa Senators re-instated
- Detroit Falcons re-named Detroit Red Wings
[edit] 1933-34
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Ottawa Senators |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1934-35
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | St. Louis Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| New York Americans | Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons |
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- Ottawa Senators relocated as St. Louis Eagles
[edit] 1935-36
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons | Detroit Red Wings |
| Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- St. Louis Eagles widthdrew from league
[edit] 1936-37
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons | Detroit Red Wings |
| Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1937-38
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Montreal Maroons | Detroit Red Wings |
| Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1938-39
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
- Montreal Maroons widthdrew from league
[edit] 1939-40
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
[edit] 1940-41
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | New York Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
[edit] 1941-42
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Brooklyn Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks |
| New York Rangers |
- New York Americans relocated as Brooklyn Americans
[edit] 1942-43
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- Brooklyn Americans widthdrew from league
- Original Six era begins
[edit] 1943-44
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1944-45
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1945-46
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1946-47
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1947-48
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1948-49
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1949-50
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1950-51
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1951-52
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1952-53
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1953-54
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1954-55
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1955-56
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1956-57
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1957-58
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1958-59
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1959-60
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1960-61
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1961-62
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1962-63
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1963-64
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1964-65
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1965-66
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
[edit] 1966-67
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | Boston Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Chicago Black Hawks | New York Rangers |
- Original Six era ends
[edit] 1967-68
- Philadelphia Flyers join NHL
- Pittsburgh Penguins join NHL
- Los Angeles Kings join NHL
- Minnesota North Stars join NHL
- California Seals join NHL
- St. Louis Blues join NHL
- California Seals re-named Oakland Seals during season
[edit] 1968-69
[edit] 1969-70
[edit] 1970-71
- Oakland Seals re-named California Golden Seals
- Buffalo Sabres join NHL
- Vancouver Canucks join NHL
[edit] 1971-72
[edit] 1972-73
- New York Islanders join NHL
- Atlanta Flames join NHL
[edit] 1973-74
[edit] 1974-75
- Washington Capitals join NHL
- Kansas City Scouts join NHL
[edit] 1975-76
[edit] 1976-77
- Kansas City Scouts relocated as Colorado Rockies
- California Golden Seals relocated as Cleveland Barons
[edit] 1977-78
[edit] 1978-79
- Cleveland Barons and merge with Minnesota North Stars
[edit] 1979-80
- Edmonton Oilers join NHL
- Quebec Nordiques join NHL
- Winnipeg Jets join NHL
- Hartford Whalers join NHL
[edit] 1980-81
- Atlanta Flames relocated as Calgary Flames
[edit] 1981-82
[edit] 1982-83
- Colorado Rockies relocated as New Jersey Devils
[edit] 1983-84
[edit] 1984-85
[edit] 1985-86
[edit] 1986-87
- Chicago Black Hawks re-named Chicago Blackhawks
[edit] 1987-88
[edit] 1988-89
[edit] 1989-90
[edit] 1990-91
[edit] 1991-92
- Minnesota North Stars and Cleveland Barons disolve 1978-79 merger
- Cleveland Barons relocated as San Jose Sharks
- San Jose Sharks participate in dispersal draft
- Minnesota North Stars participate in dispersal draft
[edit] 1992-93
- Ottawa Senators join NHL
- Tampa Bay Lightning join NHL
[edit] 1993-94
- Minnesota North Stars relocated as Dallas Stars
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim join NHL
- Florida Panthers join NHL
[edit] 1994-95
[edit] 1995-96
- Quebec Nordiques relocated as Colorado Avalanche
[edit] 1996-97
- Winnipeg Jets relocated as Phoenix Coyotes
[edit] 1997-98
- Hartford Whalers relocated as Carolina Hurricanes
[edit] 1998-99
- Nashville Predators join NHL
[edit] 1999-00
- Atlanta Thrashers join NHL
[edit] 2000-01
- Columbus Blue Jackets join NHL
- Minnesota Wild join NHL
[edit] 2001-02
[edit] 2002-03
[edit] 2003-04
[edit] 2004-05
- The NHL season was cancelled in 2004-05 due to a player lockout and the expiration of the NHL and NHLPA's collective bargaining agreement. Teams are listed for continuity purposes only as no teams were added, widthdrawn or relocated within the league during the hiatus.
[edit] 2005-06
[edit] 2006-07
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim re-named Anaheim Ducks
