NHL Expansion and Relocation Since 1967
Sunday, June 29, 2008-12:02:pm
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
| 1967-68 (Expansion) |
| The California
Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars,
Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the
St. Louis Blues are added to the "Original Six"
teams of the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks,
Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York
Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Total NHL teams: 12 |
| 1970-71 (Expansion) |
| Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks are added
to the NHL. Total NHL teams: 14 |
| 1972-73 (Expansion) |
| The Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders join
the NHL. Total NHL teams: 16 |
| 1974-75 (Expansion) |
| The Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals
are added to the league. Total NHL teams: 18 |
| 1976-77 (Relocation) |
| The California Seals, which had been renamed the
Oakland Seals in 1970, move to Cleveland, Ohio
and become the Cleveland Barons. The Kansas City Scouts move to Denver, Colorado and become the Colorado Rockies. |
| 1978-79 (Contraction) |
| The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota
North Stars. The Cleveland franchise disappears
while the Minnesota franchise stays on as the North
Stars. Total NHL teams: 17 |
| 1979-80 (Expansion) |
| Four World Hockey Association teams -- Edmonton
Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and
Winnipeg Jets -- merge with the NHL. Total NHL teams: 21 |
| 1980-81 (Relocation) |
| The Atlanta Flames move to Calgary and become the Calgary Flames. |
| 1981-82 (Relocation) |
| The Colorado Rockies relocate to New Jersey and become the New Jersey Devils. |
| 1991-92 (Expansion) |
| The San Jose Sharks join the NHL. Total NHL teams: 22 |
| 1992-93 (Expansion) |
| The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning
franchises are added to the NHL. Total NHL teams: 24 |
| 1993-94 (Expansion and Relocation) |
| The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Florida
Panther franchises join the NHL. The Minnesota North Stars move to Dallas, Texas and are renamed the Dallas Stars. Total NHL teams: 26 |
| 1995-96 (Relocation) |
| The Quebec Nordiques move to Denver, Colorado and become the Colorado Avalanche. |
| 1996-97 (Relocation) |
| The Winnipeg Jets move to Phoenix, Arizona and are renamed the Phoenix Coyotes. |
| 1997-98 (Relocation) |
| The Hartford Whalers move to Raleigh, North Carolina and become the Carolina Hurricanes. |
| 1998-99 (Expansion) |
| The Nashville Predators franchise is added to
the league. Total NHL teams: 27 |
| 1999-00 (Expansion) |
| The Atlanta Thrashers join the NHL. Total NHL teams: 28 |
| 2000-01 (Expansion) |
| The Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild
franchises are added to the league. Total NHL teams: 30 |
