NHL Teams Tier List: Every Franchise Ranked
Thirty-two teams, one Stanley Cup, and a whole lot of history separating the dynasties from the perpetual rebuilds. This list ranks every current NHL franchise based on championship pedigree, recent play, fanbase strength, and that harder-to-define thing: whether the organization actually feels like it's going somewhere.
We leaned on what fans and analysts have been arguing about on forums and in press boxes for years, then made our own calls where the room was split. Think your team got robbed? That's half the fun. Argue it out and rank your own version.
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SS Tier: The Gold Standard
Tampa Bay Lightning
Back to back Cups in 2020 and 2021 with a core that's still scary when healthy. Vasilevskiy in net, Hedman on the blue line, Kucherov doing whatever he wants with the puck. This is what sustained excellence looks like in a cap league.
About Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL franchise based in Tampa, Florida, winners of back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Known for a deep, star studded roster built around Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman.
- Founded
- 1992
- Stanley Cups
- 3
Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon, Makar, and a 2022 Cup banner put them firmly at the top. Makar might be the best defenseman on the planet right now, and the Avs rarely miss the playoffs. Deep, fast, and built to keep winning.
About Colorado Avalanche
Denver based franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2022, led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Originally the Quebec Nordiques before relocating in 1995.
- Relocated to Denver
- 1995
- Stanley Cups
- 3
Boston Bruins
Insane regular season consistency for over a decade, including that record setting 65 win campaign. The playoff heartbreak is real, but a franchise with this much sustained excellence and a rabid Causeway Street fanbase earns its spot.
About Boston Bruins
Original Six franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts, known for one of the most passionate fanbases in hockey and a long history of regular season dominance.
- Founded
- 1924
- Stanley Cups
- 6
AA Tier: Legit Contenders
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is the best hockey player alive and Leon Draisaitl isn't far behind. Back to back Cup Final appearances show this roster can get there, even if closing the deal has been the issue.
About Edmonton Oilers
Alberta based franchise home to Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the best player in the league. Known in the 1980s as the dynasty led by Wayne Gretzky.
- Founded
- 1972 (WHA), joined NHL 1979
- Stanley Cups
- 5
Florida Panthers
The 2024 Stanley Cup champs arrived fast, built on relentless forecheck hockey and Sergei Bobrovsky stealing games. A legit contender now, not just a plucky underdog story anymore.
About Florida Panthers
Sunrise, Florida franchise that won its first Stanley Cup in 2024. Built around a relentless forechecking style and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
- Founded
- 1993
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Carolina Hurricanes
One of the league's best regular season teams year after year, with a suffocating forecheck and deep roster. The playoff results haven't matched the regular season dominance, but this is a genuinely well run organization.
About Carolina Hurricanes
Raleigh, North Carolina franchise known for aggressive puck possession hockey under coach Rod Brind'Amour. Relocated from Hartford where it was the Whalers.
- Relocated to Carolina
- 1997
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Dallas Stars
Consistent deep playoff runs with Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and a defense anchored by Miro Heiskanen. They've been a conference finals fixture lately, just missing that final push.
About Dallas Stars
Texas based franchise that relocated from Minnesota in 1993. Known for deep playoff runs in recent years behind Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen.
- Relocated to Dallas
- 1993
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Vegas Golden Knights
Won the Cup in just their sixth season, which tells you everything about how this front office operates. Aggressive, well managed, and still a tough out every spring.
About Vegas Golden Knights
Las Vegas expansion team that made the Stanley Cup Final in its debut 2017-18 season and won the Cup in 2023. Known for aggressive front office moves.
- Founded
- 2017
- Stanley Cups
- 1
New York Rangers
Original Six history, a packed Madison Square Garden, and Igor Shesterkin giving them a chance every single night. The 2024 President's Trophy run showed real contender upside.
About New York Rangers
Original Six franchise playing out of Madison Square Garden in New York City. One of the most storied markets in the sport.
- Founded
- 1926
- Stanley Cups
- 4
BB Tier: Solid, Respectable Programs
Toronto Maple Leafs
Insane regular season talent with Matthews and Marner, insane playoff disappointment almost every spring. The fanbase is as passionate as it gets, but the postseason results keep this team out of the top tiers.
About Toronto Maple Leafs
Original Six franchise and arguably the most valuable brand in hockey, based in Toronto, Ontario. Known for a passionate fanbase and a long championship drought.
- Founded
- 1917
- Stanley Cups
- 13
Winnipeg Jets
Connor Hellebuyck might be the best goalie in the league, and the Jets quietly rack up points every year. Underrated outside Manitoba, but it's hard to call them true favorites until a deep run happens.
About Winnipeg Jets
Manitoba based franchise, relocated from Atlanta in 2011. Known for strong goaltending and a tight knit fanbase in a smaller market.
- Relocated to Winnipeg
- 2011
Vancouver Canucks
Hughes and Pettersson give them a genuine identity, and the Rogers Arena crowd is as loud as any building in the league. Up and down history, but trending the right way lately.
About Vancouver Canucks
British Columbia franchise known for loud crowds at Rogers Arena and a current core built around Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
- Founded
- 1970
Washington Capitals
The Ovechkin era delivered a 2018 Cup and now a chase for the all time goals record. A franchise defined by one of the great careers in league history, even past its absolute peak.
About Washington Capitals
Washington D.C. franchise that won its first Stanley Cup in 2018, led by Alex Ovechkin, one of the greatest goal scorers in league history.
- Founded
- 1974
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Nashville Predators
Smashville is one of the loudest, most fun buildings in hockey and the fanbase punches well above the market's hockey history. Solid, well run, occasionally a sleeper playoff threat.
About Nashville Predators
Tennessee franchise known for the famously loud Bridgestone Arena and a passionate fanbase in a nontraditional hockey market.
- Founded
- 1998
Los Angeles Kings
Two Cups in the 2010s with that stifling defensive identity, plus a current roster that's always competitive even if the playoff exits have gotten repetitive lately.
About Los Angeles Kings
Southern California franchise that won Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014 behind a stifling defensive system and strong goaltending.
- Founded
- 1967
- Stanley Cups
- 2
New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes and a young, fast core make this one of the more exciting up and coming rosters in the league. Three Cups in franchise history give them real pedigree too.
About New Jersey Devils
New Jersey franchise with three Stanley Cups in the 1990s and 2000s, now rebuilt around young star Jack Hughes.
- Founded
- 1982 (relocated from Colorado)
- Stanley Cups
- 3
Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby, Malkin, and three Cups this century put this franchise's legacy beyond question. The current roster is aging out of contention, but you don't rank Sid's team too low.
About Pittsburgh Penguins
Pennsylvania franchise built around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, with three Stanley Cups in the 2000s and 2010s.
- Founded
- 1967
- Stanley Cups
- 5
Minnesota Wild
A hockey obsessed state with a team that's steady but rarely spectacular. Good drafting lately gives reason for optimism beyond just being a reliable playoff bubble team.
About Minnesota Wild
Minnesota expansion franchise playing in a hockey mad state, known for steady regular season play and solid player development.
- Founded
- 2000
CC Tier: Stuck in the Middle
St. Louis Blues
That 2019 Cup run from last place to champions is one of the best stories in recent memory. Since then it's been a quieter, more middling stretch for a historically solid franchise.
About St. Louis Blues
Missouri franchise that won its first Stanley Cup in 2019 after a historic turnaround from last place in the league standings.
- Founded
- 1967
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Calgary Flames
A loud, loyal fanbase and a long history including that 1989 Cup, but the on-ice product has been stuck in neutral for a while now with no clear direction forward.
About Calgary Flames
Alberta franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 1989, with a passionate fanbase and a long running rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers.
- Founded
- 1972 (relocated from Atlanta)
- Stanley Cups
- 1
Detroit Red Wings
Hockeytown has a legendary history with four Cups in the 90s and 2000s, but the current rebuild has dragged on far longer than fans expected. Signs of life lately, still a ways off.
About Detroit Red Wings
Original Six franchise known as Hockeytown, with four Stanley Cups in the 1990s and 2000s during a dominant stretch.
- Founded
- 1926
- Stanley Cups
- 11
Seattle Kraken
The newest franchise made the playoffs fast and has a genuinely passionate new fanbase packing Climate Pledge Arena. Still figuring out its long term identity, which is normal this early.
About Seattle Kraken
Washington state expansion franchise that began play in 2021 and made the playoffs in just its second season.
- Founded
- 2021
Montreal Canadiens
The most storied franchise in the league with 24 Cups, and the Bell Centre crowd never stops caring. The current roster is a rebuild, but history and passion alone keep this team from sinking lower.
About Montreal Canadiens
The most decorated franchise in NHL history, based in Montreal, Quebec, with a passionate fanbase at the Bell Centre.
- Founded
- 1909
- Stanley Cups
- 24
Utah Mammoth
A fresh start in Salt Lake City after relocating from Arizona, with a young core still figuring out its identity in a brand new market. Too early to know what this franchise really is yet.
About Utah Mammoth
Salt Lake City franchise formed after the Arizona Coyotes relocated to Utah. One of the newest team identities in the league.
- Relocated to Utah
- 2024
DD Tier: Rebuilding (Again)
Buffalo Sabres
One of the longest active playoff droughts in the league despite genuinely talented pieces like Tage Thompson. The losing has worn down even a historically patient fanbase.
About Buffalo Sabres
New York franchise known for one of the longest active playoff droughts in the league, despite talented young players like Tage Thompson.
- Founded
- 1970
Ottawa Senators
Years of ownership turmoil and front office instability have overshadowed a young, promising roster. There's talent here, but the organization keeps getting in its own way.
About Ottawa Senators
Ontario franchise that has dealt with significant front office and ownership instability in recent years despite a promising young roster.
- Founded
- 1992
Philadelphia Flyers
Decades removed from real contention, stuck in a messy in between phase that's neither rebuilding cleanly nor competing seriously. The Broad Street Bullies history feels very far away these days.
About Philadelphia Flyers
Pennsylvania franchise known historically as the Broad Street Bullies, with two Stanley Cups in the 1970s and a long title drought since.
- Founded
- 1967
- Stanley Cups
- 2
Columbus Blue Jackets
A young roster still searching for consistency after a genuinely difficult stretch for the franchise off the ice. Patience is the word in Columbus right now.
About Columbus Blue Jackets
Ohio expansion franchise still searching for consistent playoff success, currently rebuilding around a young core.
- Founded
- 2000
New York Islanders
Four Cups in the early 80s dynasty feel like ancient history now. A new arena is coming, but the on-ice product has lacked direction for a while.
About New York Islanders
Long Island franchise that won four consecutive Stanley Cups in the early 1980s, one of the great dynasties in league history.
- Founded
- 1972
- Stanley Cups
- 4
FF Tier: Back to the Drawing Board
San Jose Sharks
A full teardown rebuild with some of the league's worst records in recent seasons. There's young talent like Macklin Celebrini to build around, but this is about as low as a once reliably competitive franchise has been.
About San Jose Sharks
Bay Area franchise currently in a deep rebuild, holding some of the league's highest draft picks in recent years including Macklin Celebrini.
- Founded
- 1991
Chicago Blackhawks
Three Cups in the 2010s feel like a different lifetime now. The rebuild around Connor Bedard is the whole story, and right now the losses are piling up while fans wait for the payoff.
About Chicago Blackhawks
Original Six franchise with three Stanley Cups in the 2010s, now rebuilding around young star Connor Bedard.
- Founded
- 1926
- Stanley Cups
- 6
Anaheim Ducks
Stuck in a lengthy rebuild with some promising young pieces like Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson, but the results on the ice have been rough for several seasons running.
About Anaheim Ducks
Southern California franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2007, currently rebuilding around young forwards Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson.
- Founded
- 1993
- Stanley Cups
- 1
How we ranked them
We weighed Stanley Cup history and overall championship pedigree, recent on-ice success and roster strength, how stable and well-run the front office has been, and the depth and passion of the fanbase. Recent trajectory matters too: a team trending up got a bump over one coasting on old banners. Where fan consensus is genuinely split, we picked a side and said so.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
Which NHL team has won the most Stanley Cups?
The Montreal Canadiens, with 24 championships, far more than any other franchise in league history.
What is the newest NHL franchise?
The Seattle Kraken, who joined the league in 2021. Utah Mammoth is the newest location after relocating from Arizona.
Which NHL team has the longest active playoff drought?
The Buffalo Sabres have one of the longest current playoff droughts in the league.
Who won the most recent Stanley Cup?
The Florida Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup.
Is this tier list based on all time history or current form?
Both. We weighed championship pedigree and franchise history alongside recent play and roster trajectory, so a historic franchise in a rebuild won't necessarily rank as high as its banners alone would suggest.
More rankings
Image credits
- Tampa Bay LightningLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Colorado AvalancheLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Boston BruinsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Edmonton OilersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Florida PanthersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Carolina HurricanesLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Dallas StarsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Vegas Golden KnightsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- New York RangersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Toronto Maple LeafsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Winnipeg JetsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Vancouver CanucksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Washington CapitalsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Nashville PredatorsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Los Angeles KingsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- New Jersey DevilsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Pittsburgh PenguinsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Minnesota WildLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- St. Louis BluesLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Calgary FlamesLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Detroit Red WingsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Seattle KrakenLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Montreal CanadiensLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Utah MammothLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Buffalo SabresLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Ottawa SenatorsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Philadelphia FlyersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Columbus Blue JacketsLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- New York IslandersLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- San Jose SharksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Chicago BlackhawksLogo: Wikipedia · Source
- Anaheim DucksLogo: Wikipedia · Source