If you searched for name nhl teams, you are trying to learn the names of NHL hockey teams, you are looking at one of North America’s most storied sports leagues. The National Hockey League currently has 32 teams, divided into two conferences and four divisions, and each team carries a history, a home city, and an identity that fans follow passionately. This guide lists all the current NHL teams, explains how the league is organised, and gives you the background you need to follow the sport, whether you are a new fan or a quiz enthusiast.
How the NHL Is Organised
The names of NHL hockey teams make more sense once you understand the league’s structure. The 32 teams are split into the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, each with 16 teams. Each conference has two divisions of eight teams: the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions in the East, and the Central and Pacific Divisions in the West. Teams play most of their games within their division and conference, and the playoff system rewards divisional and conference success before the Stanley Cup Final brings the two conference champions together.
The league’s geography reflects hockey’s history. Many of the oldest teams are in Canada and the north-eastern United States, where the sport took root, while expansion over recent decades has added teams in the southern and western United States, including Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Utah. The newest team, the Utah Mammoth, began play in Salt Lake City after the Arizona Coyotes franchise was relocated, continuing the league’s pattern of growth into new markets.
Name NHL Teams: Eastern Conference Teams
The Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division includes the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams include some of the league’s most historic franchises: Montreal and Toronto are among the founding clubs of professional hockey, Boston and Detroit are part of the celebrated Original Six, and Tampa Bay and Florida represent the league’s successful southern expansion, with the Panthers and Lightning both winning Stanley Cups in recent years.
The Metropolitan Division includes the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals. This division is packed with history too: the Rangers are an Original Six club, the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups in the early 1980s, the Penguins built a modern dynasty around Sidney Crosby, and the Capitals finally won their first Cup in 2018 behind Alexander Ovechkin. The metropolitan corridor’s density means rivalries here are intense and frequent.
Name NHL Teams: Western Conference Teams
The Western Conference’s Central Division includes the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Utah Mammoth, and Winnipeg Jets. Chicago is another Original Six club with a long and decorated history, while Colorado, Dallas, and St. Louis have all won Stanley Cups. Nashville and Minnesota represent the league’s expansion into non-traditional markets that have embraced the sport enthusiastically, building strong local fan cultures.
The Pacific Division includes the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton carries the legacy of the 1980s Oilers dynasty led by Wayne Gretzky, while Los Angeles won its first Cups in 2012 and 2014. Vegas made history by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and winning the Cup in 2023, and Seattle, the league’s second-newest franchise, joined in 2021. Calgary and Vancouver keep Canada’s western hockey tradition alive.
| Division | Teams |
|---|---|
| Atlantic (East) | Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Metropolitan (East) | Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals |
| Central (West) | Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Utah Mammoth, Winnipeg Jets |
| Pacific (West) | Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights |
The Original Six
No list of the names of NHL hockey teams is complete without the Original Six: the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. These six teams made up the entire league between 1942 and 1967, a period that shaped hockey’s identity and produced many of its legends. Their rivalries, particularly Montreal versus Toronto and Boston versus Montreal, remain among the fiercest in the sport, and their histories are a major part of why the league’s traditions feel so deep.
The Original Six era also explains why some of the league’s most famous trophies and records date from that period. With only six teams, players faced each other constantly, rivalries intensified, and individual stars became household names across North America. Expansion after 1967 doubled the league and eventually brought it to its current 32 teams, but the Original Six clubs retain a special status in fan culture, and their jerseys and logos are among the most recognisable in sports.
How Team Names Were Chosen
NHL team names come from a mix of local history, geography, and fan votes. Some reflect local wildlife or landscape: the Florida Panthers are named after the endangered Florida panther, the Colorado Avalanche after mountain snow slides, and the Seattle Kraken after the mythical sea creature of Scandinavian legend. Others reflect local industry or history: the Pittsburgh Penguins nod to the city’s zoo and to a name chosen by a fan contest, while the Edmonton Oilers reference Alberta’s oil industry.
Relocated teams often keep or adapt their names, which is why some team names fit their current cities imperfectly. The Utah Mammoth, for example, was chosen after fan voting in the team’s new home, replacing the Arizona Coyotes identity. The Winnipeg Jets name was revived when the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, honouring the city’s earlier team. These naming stories are part of what makes following the league enjoyable: every name carries a piece of local or league history.
Following the Season as a New Fan
If you are new to hockey, the names of NHL hockey teams are only the beginning; the season itself has a rhythm worth learning. The regular season runs from autumn to spring, with each team playing 82 games. The standings reward wins and overtime losses with points, and the top teams in each division and conference advance to the playoffs, a four-round elimination tournament that ends with the Stanley Cup Final in early summer. Playoff hockey is famously intense, with overtime games that can stretch deep into the night and series that turn on a single goal.
For a new fan, the simplest way in is to pick a team, learn its main rivals, and follow a few star players. Hockey’s stars are highly visible: goal scorers, playmakers, and goaltenders shape games in ways that are easy to appreciate even without deep tactical knowledge. Watching highlights, listening to a team podcast, or attending a game in person are all good next steps. The sport’s speed and physicality are best appreciated live, but television coverage, with its replays and analysis, is an excellent way to learn the rules and the rhythm of play.
Historic and Defunct Teams
Beyond the current 32 clubs, hockey history includes teams that no longer exist, and their names still appear in quizzes and record books. The Montreal Maroons, the New York Americans, the original Ottawa Senators, and the Quebec Nordiques all played in the NHL in earlier eras. The Hartford Whalers, whose green and blue jerseys remain popular as retro merchandise, moved to Carolina in 1997. The original Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix in 1996, before the name returned to Winnipeg with a different franchise in 2011.
Knowing these historic names helps when reading hockey history, because records and stories from earlier decades refer to teams that a modern list omits. It also explains why some current team names feel familiar: the league has a habit of reviving historic identities when franchises relocate, honouring the past while building a new future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the NHL?
There are 32 teams, split into the Eastern and Western Conferences, each with two divisions of eight teams.
What are the Original Six teams?
The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
What is the newest NHL team?
The Utah Mammoth, based in Salt Lake City, is the league’s newest team identity, following the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes franchise.
Which NHL team has won the most Stanley Cups?
The Montreal Canadiens hold the record for the most Stanley Cup championships, with 24 wins.
Conclusion
Learning the names of NHL hockey teams is the first step into one of the world’s great sporting traditions, from the Original Six clubs that defined the league’s early decades to the newest franchises in Utah and Seattle. The 32 teams, organised into four divisions across two conferences, represent a century of hockey history, local identity, and fierce rivalry. Whether you are picking a team to follow, preparing for a quiz, or simply trying to make sense of a standings table, this list gives you the foundation. For more on sports teams and history, see our guides on team names and famous names in entertainment.