How Many NHL Teams Are There Today
The National Hockey League currently operates 32 franchises: 25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. This structure is organized into two conferences, each divided into two divisions. The league reached 32 teams in 2021 with the addition of the Seattle Kraken and has maintained this count since. The following sections detail team counts by conference and division, list each franchise with location and home venue, and provide context on recent expansion and realignment for long-term clarity.
Current Team Totals by Conference and Division
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference includes 16 teams split evenly across two divisions:
- Atlantic Division: 8 teams
- Metropolitan Division: 8 teams
Western Conference
The Western Conference also includes 16 teams across two divisions:
- Central Division: 8 teams
- Pacific Division: 8 teams
Complete NHL Franchise Roster
Each of the 32 teams plays a regular-season schedule against every other team at least twice and competes in the postseason based on division ranking and wild-card criteria. The table below lists every franchise, its city, home arena, conference, division, first season in the NHL, and most recent Stanley Cup championship year (if applicable).
| Team | City | Home Arena | Conference | Division | First NHL Season | Stanley Cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | Boston | TD Garden | Eastern | Atlantic | 1924 | 6 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Buffalo | KeyBank Center | Eastern | Atlantic | 1970 | 0 |
| Detroit Red Wings | Detroit | Little Caesars Arena | Eastern | Atlantic | 1926 | 11 |
| Florida Panthers | FL | FLA Live Arena | Eastern | Atlantic | 1993 | 0 |
| Montreal Canadiens | Montreal | Bell Centre | Eastern | Atlantic | 1917 | 24 |
| Ottawa Senators | Ottawa | Canadian Tire Centre | Eastern | Atlantic | 1992 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Tampa | Amalie Arena | Eastern | Atlantic | 1992 | 2 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Toronto | Scotiabank Arena | Eastern | Atlantic | 1917 | 13 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Raleigh | PNC Arena | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1979 | 0 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Columbus | Nationwide Arena | Eastern | Metropolitan | 2000 | 0 |
| New Jersey Devils | Newark | Prudential Center | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1974 | 3 |
| New York Islanders | Uniondale | UBS Arena | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1972 | 0 |
| New York Rangers | New York | Madison Square Garden | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1926 | 4 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Philadelphia | Wells Fargo Center | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1967 | 2 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Pittsburgh | PPG Paints Arena | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1967 | 5 |
| Washington Capitals | Washington | Capital One Arena | Eastern | Metropolitan | 1974 | 1 |
| Arizona Coyotes | Tempe | Mullett Arena | Western | Central | 1972 | 0 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Denver | Ball Arena | Western | Central | 1995 | 3 |
| Dallas Stars | Dallas | American Airlines Center | Western | Central | 1993 | 1 |
| Minnesota Wild | St. Paul | Xcel Energy Center | Western | Central | 2000 | 0 |
| Nashville Predators | Nashville | Bridgestone Arena | Western | Central | 1998 | 0 |
| St. Louis Blues | St. Louis | Enterprise Center | Western | Central | 1967 | 1 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Las Vegas | T-Mobile Arena | Western | Pacific | 2017 | 0 |
| Anaheim Ducks | Anaheim | Honda Center | Western | Pacific | 1993 | 0 |
| Calgary Flames | Calgary | Scotiabank Saddledome | Western | Pacific | 1980 | 1 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton | Rogers Place | Western | Pacific | 1979 | 5 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena | Western | Pacific | 1967 | 2 |
| San Jose Sharks | San Jose | SAP Center | Western | Pacific | 1991 | 0 |
| Seattle Kraken | Seattle | Climate Pledge Arena | Western | Pacific | 2021 | 0 |
| Utah Hockey Club | Salt Lake City | Delta Center | Western | Central | 2024 | 0 |
| Vancouver Canucks | Vancouver | Rogers Arena | ||||
| Winnipeg Jets | Winnipeg | Canada Life Centre | Western | Central | 1999 | 0 |
Historical Context and Expansion Timeline
The NHL expanded from its Original Six roots to 32 teams over multiple decades. Key inflection points include the 1967 expansion, the 1990s-era expansions into southern U.S. markets, and the 2021 arrival of the Seattle Kraken, which established the current 32-team footprint. Realignment in 2013 standardized divisions to eight teams each and adjusted conference structures to balance travel and competitive integrity.
Roster Sizes and Active-Player Counts
Each team carries a regular-season roster of 23 players, including 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies, and 3 injured-reserve or taxi-slot players that may be raised from the minors or AHL. Injured players on long-term injured reserve do not count against the active 23 but remain on the roster list. During the regular season, teams are limited to 20 active players per game on game days, with limits relaxed in the preseason and by mid-season roster freeze rules.
Salaries, Revenue, and Competitive Balance
The salary cap governs team spending and helps maintain competitive balance across the 32-club league. Actual payrolls vary by market size and roster construction. Revenue is shared centrally through league media and licensing agreements, ensuring relative financial parity despite large market advantages. Depth charts and forward-six minutes vary by team but reflect the league’s focus on tight talent distribution across all 32 franchises.
Summary
The NHL comprises 32 teams, evenly divided across two conferences and four eight-team divisions. The structure has been stable since the 2021 addition of the Seattle Kraken, with each franchise fielding 23 regular-season roster players and competing for one of 16 playoff berths. This 32-team configuration balances geography, travel, and competition, and it is the format fans and analysts should expect for the foreseeable future.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many divisions are in the NHL?
The NHL has four divisions, each with eight teams: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific.
Which was the most recent NHL expansion team?
The Seattle Kraken began play in 2021 as the league’s first expansion since 2017 and the most recent franchise addition.
Do all 32 teams make the playoffs?
No. Each conference awards playoff spots to the top three division winners and two wild-card teams per conference, for a total of 16 postseason teams.
How often does the NHL revisit realignment or expansion?
Realignment is reviewed periodically, and expansion is evaluated as markets grow; no fixed schedule exists, and changes depend on ownership, media, and competitive factors.