Sports
NHL Teams Tier List Maker
Rank all 32 NHL teams by jerseys, fanbase, history or your own loyalty.
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Meet every team (32)
These 32 teams load into the maker above. Each write-up covers what the team is and what to weigh when you rank it. Facts were last checked on .
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Anaheim Ducks
A Pacific Division team in Anaheim, California, that plays at Honda Center and is owned by Henry and Susan Samueli. The Ducks are affiliated with the AHL's San Diego Gulls.
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Boston Bruins
In existence since 1924, the third-oldest active team in the NHL and the oldest in the United States. One of the "Original Six," they play in the Atlantic Division.
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Buffalo Sabres
Established in 1970 alongside the Vancouver Canucks when the league expanded to 14 teams. The Sabres have played their home games at KeyBank Center since 1996.
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Calgary Flames
The city's third major professional hockey team, after the Calgary Tigers and the Calgary Cowboys. One of two NHL franchises in Alberta, along with the Edmonton Oilers.
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Carolina Hurricanes
Nicknamed the Canes and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, they play at Lenovo Center. The franchise was formed in 1971 as the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Spelled Black Hawks until 1986 and known as the Hawks, they were founded in 1926 and are one of the "Original Six." They play in the Central Division.
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Colorado Avalanche
Nicknamed the Avs, they play in the Central Division at Ball Arena, which they share with the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the NLL's Colorado Mammoth.
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Columbus Blue Jackets
Known as the Jackets, the franchise began play as an expansion team in 2000 and struggled in its initial years, according to its Wikipedia history. They play in the Metropolitan Division.
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Dallas Stars
Played at Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas from 1993 to 2001, then moved into American Airlines Center in the Victory Park neighborhood, an arena shared with the NBA's Mavericks.
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Detroit Red Wings
Colloquially the Wings, one of the "Original Six," the first six teams of the league. Founded in 1926, the team was originally known as the Detroit Cougars.
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Edmonton Oilers
They play at Rogers Place, which opened in 2016, and are one of two NHL franchises in Alberta. Their proximity to the Flames has led to an intense rivalry.
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Florida Panthers
A team in the Miami area that began at Miami Arena before moving in 1998 to what is now Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. They play in the Atlantic Division.
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Los Angeles Kings
Founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent Cooke was awarded a Los Angeles expansion franchise, making them one of the six teams that began play in the 1967 expansion.
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Minnesota Wild
A Central Division team in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that plays at Grand Casino Arena and is owned by Craig Leipold. The Wild are affiliated with the AHL's Iowa Wild.
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Montréal Canadiens
Officially Club de hockey Canadien and colloquially known as the Habs, the name means "Canadians of Montreal." They are in the Atlantic Division and are one of the Original Six.
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Nashville Predators
Colloquially the Preds, a Central Division team that has played its home games at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, since 1998.
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New Jersey Devils
Founded as the Kansas City Scouts in 1974, moved to Denver in 1976 as the Colorado Rockies, and moved to New Jersey in 1982. They are based in Newark.
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New York Islanders
Colloquially the Isles, based in Elmont, New York, playing at UBS Arena. They are one of three NHL franchises in the New York metropolitan area.
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New York Rangers
A Metropolitan Division team that plays at Madison Square Garden, an arena they share with the NBA's New York Knicks. One of three NHL teams near New York.
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Ottawa Senators
Colloquially the Sens, in the Atlantic Division. The team plays at Canadian Tire Centre, which opened in 1996, and the name in French is Sénateurs d'Ottawa.
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Philadelphia Flyers
The second NHL team in Philadelphia, after the Philadelphia Quakers, who played only one season in 1930–31. They play in the Metropolitan Division.
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Colloquially the Pens, they have played at PPG Paints Arena since 2010, having previously played at the Civic Arena.
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San Jose Sharks
Founded on May 9, 1990, after the owners of the Minnesota North Stars sold that team. They are based in San Jose, California, in the Pacific Division.
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Seattle Kraken
Founded after the NHL approved an expansion franchise for Seattle, and began play in the 2021–22 season. They play in the Pacific Division.
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St. Louis Blues
Founded in 1967 as one of the six teams from the 1967 expansion, named after the W. C. Handy song "Saint Louis Blues." They play in the Central Division.
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Colloquially the Bolts, who play at Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa. They are one of two NHL franchises in Florida.
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and known as the Leafs. The club is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns several other professional teams.
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Utah Mammoth
The newest team on the list, based in Salt Lake City, which joined the league as an expansion team for the 2024–25 season. They play at the Delta Center, shared with the NBA's Jazz.
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Vancouver Canucks
A Pacific Division team that plays at Rogers Arena, established in 1970 alongside the Buffalo Sabres. Daniel and Henrik Sedin serve as co-presidents of hockey operations.
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Vegas Golden Knights
Founded in 2017 as an expansion team, the first major sports franchise to represent Las Vegas. They play in the Pacific Division.
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Washington Capitals
Colloquially the Caps, owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment. They initially played at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.
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Winnipeg Jets
A Central Division team owned by True North Sports & Entertainment and playing at Canada Life Centre. The franchise was established in the World Hockey Association in 1972.
NHL Teams tier list questions
What are the Original Six teams?
The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montréal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs were the first six teams of the NHL, and are on this list.
Why is the Utah Mammoth on the list?
The Mammoth joined the league as an expansion team for the 2024–25 season, so they are one of the current 32 teams. Check NHL.com for any later relocations or expansions.
How should I rank NHL teams?
Common criteria include history, current roster, arena atmosphere, jerseys and fan base. Many fans rank by how entertaining the team is to watch, or only rank the teams they follow.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these references on .