History of NHL Conferences and Divisions

As of 2013-14, the NHL has realigned its thirty teams into four new divisions.

It's a move that has far-reaching consequences for the schedule, the playoff race, and how teams are seeded for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Although there has been much shifting of teams over the years, the NHL has arranged itself as two conferences containing multiple divisions since 1974.

Here's a look at the divisional and conference set-ups employed since the NHL was founded in 1917:

1917-1926:

• No divisions. Number of league teams ranges from three in 1918-19 to seven in 1925-26.
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Arenas/Toronto St. Pats
Ottawa Senators
Montreal Maroons (starting in 1924)
Boston Bruins (starting in 1924)
New York Americans (starting in 1925)
Hamilton Tigers (1920-25)
Pittsburgh Pirates (starting in 1925)
Montreal Wanderers (played 6 games in 1917-18 before withdrawing after their rink burned down)

1926-1938:

• Canadian Division, with four or five teams.
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto St. Pats/Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Maroons
New York Americans
Ottawa Senators (Missed 1931-32 season. Returned from 1932-1934 before withdrawing for good.)
St. Louis Eagles (1934-35)
• American Division, with four or five teams.
New York Rangers (starting in 1926)
Boston Bruins
Chicago Blackhawks (starting in 1926)
Pittsburgh Pirates (until 1930)
Detroit Cougars/Detroit Falcons/Detroit Red Wings (starting in 1926)
Philadelphia Quakers (1930-31)

1938-1942:

• Seven teams, no divisions.
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Americans/Brooklyn Americans
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks

1942-1967:

• Six teams, no divisions.
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks

1967-1974:

• East Division and West Division. Each division begins with six teams in 1967-68, expanding to eight teams each by 1973-74.
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues
Minnesota North Stars
Pittsburgh Penguins
Oakland Seals/California Seals
Buffalo Sabres (starting in 1970)
Vancouver Canucks (starting in 1970)
New York Islanders (starting in 1972)
Atlanta Flames (starting in 1972)

1974-1993:

• Prince of Wales Conference, with Adams and Patrick Divisions.
• Clarence Campbell Conference, with Norris and Smythe Divisions.
• League expands from 18 teams in 1974-75 to 24 teams in 1992-93.
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues
Minnesota North Stars
Pittsburgh Penguins
California Golden Seals (until 1976)
Buffalo Sabres (starting in 1970)
Vancouver Canucks (starting in 1970)
New York Islanders (starting in 1972)
Atlanta Flames (until 1980)
Washington Capitals (starting in 1974)
Kansas City Scouts (1974-1976)
Colorado Rockies (1976-1982)
Cleveland Barons (1976-1978)
New Jersey Devils (starting in 1982)
Calgary Flames (starting in 1980)
Quebec Nordiques (starting in 1979)
Hartford Whalers (starting in 1979)
Winnipeg Jets (starting in 1979)
Edmonton Oilers (starting in 1979)
San Jose Sharks (starting in 1991)
Tampa Bay Lightning (starting in 1992)
Ottawa Senators (starting in 1992)

1993-2012:

• Eastern Conference, with Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast Divisions.
• Western Conference, with Central, Western, and Pacific Divisions.
• League expands to 30 teams.
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
Vancouver Canucks
New York Islanders
Washington Capitals
New Jersey Devils
Calgary Flames
Quebec Nordiques (until 1995)
Hartford Whalers (until 1997)
Winnipeg Jets (until 1996)
Winnipeg Jets (starting in 2011)
Edmonton Oilers
San Jose Sharks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ottawa Senators
Dallas Stars (starting in 1993)
Florida Panthers (starting in 1993)
Anaheim Mighty Ducks/Anaheim Ducks (starting in 1993)
Colorado Avalanche (starting in 1995)
Phoenix Coyotes (starting in 1996)
Carolina Hurricanes (starting in 1997)
Nashville Predators (starting in 1998)
Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2011)
Columbus Blue Jackets (starting in 2000)
Minnesota Wild (starting in 2000)

See more NHL and Hockey History:
1800s-1945: From the first games to the Original Six.
1945-1980: From the first betting scandal to the Miracle on Ice.
1981-Present: From the Russian invasion to the California Cup.