Discover the fascinating history of NHL expansion teams in this article. From the league’s early days with the Original Six teams to its current roster of 32 teams, the NHL has undergone several eras of expansion to become the thriving and widespread league it is today. Explore how the addition of new franchises in busy cities on the East Coast and out West brought more attention and growth to the game of hockey in the United States. Delve into the emergence of new teams, franchise movements, and the NHL’s global expansion efforts. Learn about the thrilling process of building a new team through the expansion draft. And finally, get a glimpse into the future of NHL expansion, with potential new franchises waiting in the wings. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or simply curious about the league’s history, this article is sure to captivate you with its exploration of NHL expansion history.
NHL Expansion History
The NHL has a rich history of expansion, with multiple eras of growth and the addition of new franchises. From its early days with the Original Six teams to its current roster of 32 teams, the league has experienced tremendous growth and popularity. In this article, we will explore the different phases of NHL expansion, from the league’s first expansion era to its international expansion and the future of NHL expansion.
Early Days: NHL’s First Expansion Era
The NHL’s early days were defined by the Original Six teams, which consisted of the Montréal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. These six teams built a strong following and laid the foundation for the league’s success. However, in 1967, the NHL embarked on its first expansion era, adding six new teams and bringing the total number of teams to 12. This expansion wave included the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and the St. Louis Blues. The addition of these teams not only increased the league’s size but also helped grow the popularity of the game in the United States.
Emergence of New Franchises: Expansion Waves and Growth
Following the first expansion era, the NHL continued to expand and add new teams in the 1970s and 1980s. The league welcomed the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks in 1970, followed by the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames in 1972. The Atlanta Flames eventually relocated to Calgary and became the Calgary Flames. In 1974, the Washington Capitals and the Kansas City Scouts joined the NHL. The Scouts later moved to Denver and became the Colorado Rockies before settling in New Jersey as the Devils.
The era of franchise movement continued with the merger of the Cleveland Barons and the Minnesota North Stars in 1978, the relocation of the North Stars to Dallas in 1993, and their subsequent name change to the Dallas Stars. In 1979, the NHL added four teams from the World Hockey Association: the Quebec Nordiques, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets. While the Nordiques eventually relocated to become the Colorado Avalanche, and the Jets became the Arizona Coyotes, the Oilers and Jets retained their original franchises.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the NHL continued to expand, welcoming teams like the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Nashville Predators, and the Atlanta Thrashers. The Thrashers later relocated to Winnipeg and became the Jets. The league reached a milestone in 2000 when it added the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild, bringing the total number of teams to 30.
One of the most recent success stories of NHL expansion is the Vegas Golden Knights, who joined the league in the 2017-2018 season and quickly made a name for themselves by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. The Seattle Kraken joined the league in 2021, expanding the NHL to its current total of 32 teams.
International Expansion: NHL Goes Global
The NHL has also embarked on a journey of international expansion, recognizing the global popularity of the sport. The league has organized the Global Series since 2017, which sees NHL teams playing games in Europe and Asia at the beginning of each season. This initiative has not only allowed the league to reach new fans but has also provided opportunities for players to showcase their skills on an international stage. In addition to the Global Series, there have been discussions about the NHL hosting an international tournament, similar to the Olympic Games, in the future.
The Expansion Draft: Building New Teams
When a new team enters the league through expansion, such as the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, they have to build their roster through an expansion draft. The expansion draft is a process where existing NHL teams make certain players available for selection by the expansion team. Each team can protect a certain number of players, and the expansion team has the opportunity to choose from the pool of unprotected players to build their roster. This draft allows the new team to acquire established talent and establish its identity in the league.
Future NHL Expansion
Looking ahead, there are several cities in North America that have expressed interest in acquiring NHL franchises. Cities like Quebec, Hartford, Atlanta, and Kansas City have previously had NHL teams and are eager to welcome the league back. Other cities such as Salt Lake City, Houston, Cincinnati, Halifax, Portland, and Milwaukee are also seen as potential candidates for future expansion. These cities have the necessary infrastructure and potential fan support to accommodate NHL clubs.
As the NHL continues to grow and evolve, expansion will likely remain a defining feature of the league. The addition of new teams not only expands the reach of the sport but also provides opportunities for new fan bases to fall in love with the game of hockey.
In conclusion, the NHL’s expansion history is a testament to the growth and popularity of the league. From the Original Six to the current roster of 32 teams, the NHL has experienced multiple eras of expansion and continues to explore new frontiers. Through international expansion, the league has embraced the global appeal of hockey, while expansion drafts have allowed new teams to build competitive rosters. As the NHL looks to the future, there are numerous cities vying for the opportunity to join the league, ensuring that the NHL will continue to expand and captivate audiences around the world.
