NHL Franchises, Ranked From Worst to First

The Original Six still dominate, but there’s stiffer competition now.

NHL Franchises, Ranked From Worst to First

The history of the National Hockey League can be divided neatly into two parts. There’s the first 50 seasons that were dominated by the so-called Original Six teams. And then there are the last 53 seasons of the expansion, which have seen a seismic shift in the pucks landscape.

Here’s where the current franchises rank based on overall success. That means the number of Stanley Cup championships and Hall of Fame players, consistency of team management and fan support and whatever the heck else we deem to be important, not always in that order.

Because the league has varied in size from era to era, sometimes greatly, Stanley Cups championships aren’t always what they appear to be. So we've also taken this often overlooked fact into account: It’s roughly 3.7 times harder to hoist the big prize in the expansion era than the one before it.

Now let’s have at it.

31. Arizona Coyotes

Seasons: 40 (1979-present)

Other names: Winnipeg Jets

Record: 1,311-1,442-266-159 (.478 points percentage)

Playoff appearances: 20

Stanley Cup titles: None

Note: Team records are through the 2019-20 season. Goals-against leaders played a minimum of 100 games with their respective teams.

Arizona Coyotes Team Leaders

Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Sean Burke makes a save

All-time goals leader: Shane Doan, 402

All-time points leader: Doan, 972

All-time goals-against leader: Sean Burke, 2.39

Winningest coach: Dave Tippett, 282-257-0-83 (.444 points percentage)

Bottom Line: Arizona Coyotes

Few if any franchises have been harder on their fans than this one. If it’s not rumors of a new arena one day, then it’s a move out of town the next.

Now the Coyotes will relocate from the Charmin soft Pacific Division to the cutthroat Central to make way for the expansion Seattle Kraken in the 2021-22 season.

Meanwhile, they have gotten as far as the conference finals once in their history.

30. Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau scores goal against Washington Capitals

Seasons: 27 (1993-present)

Other names: None

Record: 852-856-142-203 (.499)

Playoff appearances: 6

Stanley Cup titles: None

Florida Panthers Team Leaders

Florida Panthers Olli Jokinen, right, battles Wade Redde for the puck

All-time goals leader: Olli Jokinen, 188

All-time points leader: Jonathan Huberdeau,449

All-time goals-against leader: Tomas Vokoun, 2.57

Winningest coach: Jacques Martin, 110-100-0-36 (.520)

Bottom Line: Florida Panthers

Florida Panther Mikael Samuelsson congratulates goalie Scott Clemmenson

You can’t tell their home games in the COVID era from any of the others. Almost every night is Tumbleweed Night at desolate BB&T Center either way.

This wayward bunch has tried markets that couldn’t be more different, several ownership teams and gimmicks galore. The results have been largely the same — too few victories, too many empty seats, too much red ink.

It’s not like they have had to compete against a bunch of successful college and pro teams in the area, either. At what point does the league admit that two hockey franchises in Florida are one too many?

29. Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson against Boston Bruins

Seasons: 28 (1992-present)

Other names: None

Record: 948-912-115-164 (.508)

Playoff appearances: 16

Stanley Cup titles: None

Ottawa Senators Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Daniel Alfredsson, 426

All-time points leader: Alfredsson, 1,108

All-time goals-against leader: Ron Tugnutt 2.32

Winningest coach: Jacques Martin, 341-235-96-20 (.577)

Bottom Line: Ottawa Senators

The Senators boast 13 seasons of 90-plus points in their rather brief history. And they were thisclose to the Stanley Cup Final as recently as 2017. So what’s the rub? Two words — Eugene and Melynk.

If this jamoke isn’t the worst owner in pro team sports, then please tell me who is. He has defrauded businesses, bounced checks, scrooged his best players, threatened fans, feuded with the media and essentially destroyed what had been a playoff team.

No wonder the Canadian Tire Centre was one-third empty at home games in the 2019-20 season.

28. Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash

Seasons: 20 (2000-present)

Other names: None

Record: 660-672-33-147 (.496)

Playoff appearances: 6

Stanley Cup titles: None

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Leaders

Rick Nash scores on a power-play goal against the Buffalo Sabres

All-time goals leader: Rick Nash, 289

All-time points leader: Nash, 547

All-time goals-against leader: Sergei Bobrovsky, 2.41

Winningest coach: John Tortorella, 214-144-0-45 (.587)

Bottom Line: Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets center Jack Roslovic celebrates goal

We're convinced there’s a hockey team in Columbus to bide time between Buckeyes football games. Because other than the postgame struggle sessions — screamin’ at you, Torts! — not much quickens the pulse here.

In 20 seasons, this starless group has exactly one playoff series victory to their credit. Legacies are forged in the postseason, but there’s none to speak of here.

None whatsoever.

27. Carolina Hurricanes

Seasons: 41 (1979-present)

Other names: Hartford Whalers

Record: 1,325-1,422-263-166 (.485)

Playoff appearances: 15

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (1994)

Carolina Hurricanes Team Leaders

Carolina Hurricane Ron Francis passes the puck against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks

All-time goals leader: Ron Francis, 382

All-time points leader: Francis, 1,175

All-time goals-against leader: Kevin Weekes, 2.39

Winningest coach: Paul Maurice, 384-391-99-46 (.496)

Bottom Line: Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes celebrate overtime goal by Martin Necas

If not for that lone Stanley Cup — how in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks did that happen? — the Hurricanes would be even further down in the order.

They sat out 11-of-14 postseasons since then. That’s no small consideration for a team that has frequently played to less than 80 percent capacity at home in Raleigh, never the hockey hotbed.

26. Dallas Stars

Seasons: 53 (1967-present)

Other names: Minnesota North Stars

Record: 1,819-1,689-459-148 (.516)

Playoff appearances: 33

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (1999)

Dallas Stars Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Mike Modano, 557

All-time points leader: Modano, 1,359

All-time goals-against leader: Ed Belfour, 2.19

Winningest coach: Ken Hitchcock, 319-186-60-20 (.614)

Bottom Line: Dallas Stars

So I asked a buddy of mine in Big D what he thought of his hockey team, and without hesitation, he replied emphatically, "How 'bout dem Cowboys!" Can we all agree that, 27 years after Norm Green pulled up stakes in Minneapolis, it ranks among the worst decisions in pro sports history Remember those "Norm sucks!" signs and T-shirts?

Rather than be a really big deal in a hockey-crazed town, the Stars became the No. 5 team in a football market behind the Cowboys, the Cowboys, the Rangers and the Mavericks. Even with a moderately successful product, we can’t think of a franchise that’s so dwarfed in its own city like this one.

Norm (still) sucks.

25. Vegas Knights

Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson

Seasons: 4 (2017-present)

Other names: None

Record: 133-80-0-22 (.613)

Playoff appearances: 3

Stanley Cup titles: None

Vegas Knights Team Leaders

Marc-Andre Fleury blocks a shot against the San Jose Sharks

All-time goals leader: William Karlsson, 85

All-time points leader: Jonathan Marchesseault, 188

All-time goals-against leader: Marc-Andre Fleury, 2.48

Winningest coach: Gerard Gallant, 118-75-0-20 (.601)

Bottom Line: Vegas Knights

Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Stastny celebrates goal

At face value, the Knights could be a few spots higher here, but sorry, unh-unh, we won’t go there yet. So desperate was the league to have the first major Vegas pro team be a glitzy success at puck drop, it was practically gifted a playoff team in the expansion draft.

Result: The Knights own the best regular-season record in league history. If we're the 1974-75 Washington Capitals (8-67-5) and 1992-93 Ottawa Senators (10-70-4) and countless other godawful expansion teams, we're beyond pissed off about this.

24. Minnesota Wild

Seasons: 20 (2000-present)

Other names: None

Record: 724-583-55-149 (.547)

Playoff appearances: 10

Stanley Cup titles: None

Minnesota Wild Team Leaders

Marian Gaborik scores against the Los Angeles Kings

All-time goals leader: Marian Gaborik, 219

All-time points leader: Mikko Koivu, 709

All-time goals-against leader: Dwayne Roloson, 2.28

Winningest coach: Jacques Lemaire, 293-255-55-33 (.529)

Bottom Line: Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild players Keith Carney, Todd Fedoruk, Pierre-Marc Bouchard

Is any team more misnamed than this one? Ever since Jacques Lemaire brought the three worst words in hockey to St. Paul — neutral zone trap, noooooooooo! — the Wild have been anything but wild.

Sure, their conservative style usually serves them OK in the regular season, but it can bore the chrome off a hubcap. Come playoff time, when talent almost always wins out, they have been overmatched far too often as evidenced by their 27-50 record.

23. San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau

Seasons: 29 (1991-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,049-892-121-156 (.535)

Playoff appearances: 21

Stanley Cup titles: None

San Jose Sharks Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Patrick Marleau, 518

All-time points leader: Marleau, 1,103

All-time goals-against average: Evgeni Nabokov, 2.39

Winningest coach: Todd McLellan, 311-163-0-66 (.637)

Bottom Line: San Jose Sharks

Other than the SAP Center, which features the worst ice conditions in the league, it’s not all bad here. Start with absentee owner Hasso Plattner, a general manager’s dream who spends enough to win and stays the hell out of the way while he does it.

The product is generally competitive, while the fan base is hearty if short on numbers. It’s that not even Al Capone’s vault teased us like this, which leaves us to wonder which will happen first— NorCal celebrates its first Stanley Cup or Joe Thornton cuts his beard.

22. Winnipeg Jets

Seasons: 21 (1999-present)

Other names: Atlanta Thrashers

Record: 694-706-45-150 (.496)

Playoff appearances: 5

Stanley Cup titles: None

Winnipeg Jets Team Leaders

Atlanta Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk

All-time goals leader: Ilya Kovalchuk, 328

All-time points leader: Blake Wheeler, 662

All-time goals-against leader: Connor Hellebuyck, 2.63

Winningest coach: Paul Maurice,279-193-0-55 (.582)

Bottom Line: Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets players celebrate team win

Hockey in Atlanta is kinda like a young John Goodman in Speedos, so let’s pretend their first 11 seasons never happened, shall we? In the 10 seasons since then, the J-E-T-S put up an above-.500 points percentage in all except one, the last half-dozen with the same coach and general manager.

There’s something to be said for a competitive product, stable puck management and passionate fan base, even more so for a small-market franchise that has built-in financial challenges north of the border.

21. Buffalo Sabres

Seasons: 50 seasons (1970-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,790-1,530-409-160 (.533)

Playoff appearances: 29

Stanley Cup titles: None

Buffalo Sabres Team Leaders

Dominik Hasek blocks shot against Pittsburgh Penguins

All-time goals leader: Gilbert Perreault, 512

All-time points leader: Perreault, 1,326

All-time goals-against leader: Dominik Hasek, .222

Winningest coach: Lindy Ruff 571-432-78-84 (.560)

Bottom Line: Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres celebrate with Daniel Briere after scoring game-winning overtime goal

Never mind the Stanley Cup. This bunch hasn’t won a freakin’ playoff series since the 2007 conference semifinals, the longest dry spell in the league. That gives their loyal fan base all the more reason to whine about Game 6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Final.

Yes, Brett Hull had a skate in the crease on the game-winner. But it was a legal goal because he was in possession and control of the puck as the cockamamie rule required at the time, so enough already.

Bonus: Golden oldie Rick Jeanneret still is a joy to listen to on broadcasts, win or lose.

20. Anaheim Ducks

Seasons: 27 (1993-present)

Other names: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Record: 973-804-107-171 (.541)

Playoff appearances: 14

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (2007)

Anaheim Ducks Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Teemu Selanne, 457

All-time points leader: Selanne, 988

All-time goals-against leader: Frederik Andersen, 2.33

Winningest coach: 384-256-0-96 (.587)

Bottom Line: Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Mighty Ducks players give high fives to fans

How about we do some California dreamin' on a winter’s day? Suppose the ping-pong balls had bounced this way in the 2005 draft, and Sidney Crosby (not Bobby Ryan) came to Orange County. Think that would have changed the fortunes of the franchise a wee bit?

Nonetheless, the Ducks have built a large enough fan base to tread water in recent years, this despite a shallow talent pool devoid of star appeal.

Meanwhile, one Stanley Cup banner hangs in the Honda Center, which is one more than a lot of arenas around the league.

19. Vancouver Canucks

Seasons: 50 (1970-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,626-1,717-391-155 (.488)

Playoff appearances: 28

Stanley Cup titles: None

Vancouver Canucks Team Leaders

Vancouver Canuck Daniel Sedin scores goal against Philadelphia Flyers

All-time goals leader: Daniel Sedin, 393

All-time points leader: Henrik Sedin, 1,070

All-time goals-against leader: Roberto Luongo, 2.36

Winningest coach: Alain Vigneault, 313-170-0-57 (.632)

Bottom Line: Vancouver Canucks

Welcome to Montreal West, one of the most intense hockey towns in Canada. It’s that Stanley Cup thingy (zippo in 50 seasons) that sinks the Canucks to the bottom 10. If you’re one of the most demanding, if not downright miserable fans in the game, it might as well be 500 seasons and counting.

Worse yet, the billionaire team owners face a ginormous tax bill, which has the potential to impact the on-ice product at some point. In which case, you won’t want to be anywhere near Lotus Land when they drop the puck.

18. Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators center David Legwand

Seasons: 22 (1998-present)

Other names: None

Record: 821-633-60-161 (.556)

Playoff appearances: 13

Stanley Cup titles: None

Nashville Predators Team Leaders

Nashville Predator David Legwand celebrates

All-time goals leader: David Legwand, 210

All-time points leader: Legwand,566

All-time goals-against leader:

Winningest coach: 557-479-60-100 (.533)

Bottom Line: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators players and fans celebrate

Games are a hoot at quaint Bridgestone Arena, one of the best little barns in sports. The pucks aren’t bad, either.

Smashville has played host to a dozen 90-point teams, which is quite remarkable for an expansion franchise that’s barely two decades old. Why even those mustard sweaters have grown on us over the years.

Give this team its first elite goal scorer, and the postgame beers at Corner Pub will taste even better.

17. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Roman Cechmanek

Seasons: 53 (1967-present)

Other names: None that be can be printed here

Record: 2,054-1,429-457-175 (.576)

Playoff appearances: 40

Stanley Cup titles: 2 (1974, 1975)

Philadelphia Flyers Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Bill Barber, 420

All-time points leader: Bobby Clarke, 1,210

All-time goals-against leader: Roman Cechmanek, 1.96

Winningest coach: Fred Shero,308-151-95-0 (.642)

Bottom Line: Philadelphia Flyers

Philaelphia Flyers congratulate Ron Hextall

Like the T-shirt asks, "Have you ever seen the Flyers win the Cup?" If you’re 45 or older, the answer is no.

The Flyboys act like big shooters, but the truth is, their best days are so long gone that it would take a four-hour Uber ride to find them. What’s more, no real pucks fan will forget how the 1980s Broad Street Bullies set the sport back years, if not decades. (YouTube the Dave Schultz assault on Dale Rolfe, people.)

We would like to believe the hockey gods have spoken.

16. Los Angeles Kings

Seasons: 53 (1967-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,733-1,801-424 (.492)

Playoff appearances: 30

Stanley Cup titles: 2 (2012, 2014)

Los Angeles Kings Team Leaders

Los Angeles Kings forward Luc Robitaille

All-time goals leader: Luc Robitaille, 557

All-time points leader: Marcel Dionne,1,307

All-time goals-against leader: Felix Potvin, 2.35

Winningest coach: Darryl Sutter, 225-147-0-53 (.592)

Bottom Line: Los Angeles Kings

Los Angeles Kings celebrate with teammates

Can you name the team that has the second-worst record among the Original Second Six, kids? You got it.

Two recent Stanley Cups celebrations have bought the Silver and Black a lot of patience from the fan base and rightfully so. But six years after their glorious mini-run, now what?

What’s needed here is some star power to replace what’s left of the championship and make this Southern California franchise relevant again.

15. New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils left wing Patrik Elias

Seasons: 46 (1974-present)

Other names: Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies

Record: 1,515-1,572-328-162 (.492)

Playoff appearances: 23

Stanley Cup titles: 3 (1995, 2000, 2003)

New Jersey Devils Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Patrik Elias, 408

All-time points leader: Elias, 1,025

All-time goals-against leader: Martin Brodeur, 2.24

Winningest coach: Jacques Lemaire,276-166-57-10 (.608)

Bottom Line: New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils celebrate with the Stanley Cup in 1995

Their three-part history reads like a Stephen King novel.

There was "Misery" (two playoff forays in the first 15 seasons), "The Shining" (three league titles in nine seasons) and "The Dead Zone" (two playoff trips in the last 11 seasons).

As much as we value Stanleys, that’s too much dark side to give the Devils any more due.

14. Calgary Flames

Seasons: 48 (1972-present)

Other names: Atlanta Flames

Record: 1,739-1,469-379-147 (.536)

Playoff appearances: 30

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (1989)

Calgary Flames Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Jarome Iginla, 525

All-time points leader: Iginla, 1,095

All-time goals-against leader: Miikka Kiprusoff, .246

Winningest coach: Bob Johnson, 193-155-52-0 (.548)

Bottom Line: Calgary Flames

This franchise reached the playoffs in 21 of its first 24 seasons. Included were two trips to the Stanley Cup Final in a span of four seasons. Since then, it has one playoff series victory to show for the last 11 seasons.

Can this be The Curse of Mike Keenan, you ask? (See Rangers, New York.) The Calgary fan base is hail and hearty as one might expect up north, but the extended drought moves it to the middle of the pack.

13. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos

Seasons: 28 (1992-present)

Other names: None

Record: 949-930-112-147 (.504)

Playoff appearances: 12

Stanley Cup titles: 2 (2004, 2020)

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Steven Stamkos, 429

All-time points leader: Martin St. Louis, 953

All-time goals-against leader: Ben Bishop, 2.28

Winningest coach: Jon Cooper, 348-180-0-50 (.645)

Bottom Line: Tampa Bay Lightning

I still remember the game that I attended in the Lightning’s maiden season at the 10,000-seat Expo Hall, which had more columns than restrooms and concession stands. The hangar was almost full, except that much of the crowd was there to see phenom Pavel Bure play for the other team.

My, my, my, has this franchise come a long way or what? Three-plus decades later, it has pulled off what many had thought impossible — made hockey cool in Florida.

Here’s what else to like: their 91-71 postseason record and two Stanley Cup championships, which are two more than some older teams in the league.

12. Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin

Seasons: 46 (1974-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,664-1,452-303-158 (.530)

Playoff appearances: 30

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (2018)

Washington Capitals Team Leaders

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scores goal

All-time goals leader: Alex Ovechkin, 711

All-time points leader: Ovechkin, 1,290

All-time goals-against average: Phillipp Grubauer, .923

Winningest coach: Bryan Murray, 343-246-83-0 (.572)

Bottom Line: Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals surround Nicklas Backstrom to celebrate

If Ovi and his supporting cast hadn’t gone splat in the playoffs so often, they would have done better here. Throw out the first eight seasons — please — and this expansion entry has morphed into one of the more successful franchises in the league.

Capital One Arena has played to at least 98 percent capacity in each of the last dozen seasons. Will they maintain a similar standard without the Great Eight around?

We shall see.

11. Colorado Avalanche

Joe Sakic holds up Stanley Cup over head

Seasons: 41 (1979-present)

Other names: Quebec Nordiques

Record: 1,465-1,314-261-138 (.524)

Playoff appearances: 25

Stanley Cup titles: 2 (1996, 2001)

Colorado Avalanche Team Leaders

Patrick Roy makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks

All-time goals leader: Joe Sakic, 625

All-time points leader: Sakic, 1,641

All-time goals-against average: Patrick Roy,2.27

Winningest coach: Michel Bergeron,265-283-86-0 (.486)

Bottom Line: Colorado Avalanche

In true Rockies fashion, this franchise has had significant ups and downs along the way. But when it reaches the mountaintop as was the case in the mid-1990s (four conference finals and two Stanley Cup titles in seven years), it’s a sight to behold.

Now the young and talented Avalanche appear to be headed there again. Attendance has dipped below 90 percent capacity in the leaner years, a disappointment in what should be a pucks-mad market.

10. St. Louis Blues

Seasons: 53 (1967-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,902-1,625-432-158 (.534)

Playoff appearances: 43

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (2019)

St. Louis Blues Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Brett Hull,527

All-time points leader: Bernie Federko, 1,073

All-time goals-against leader: Brian Elliott, 2.01

Winningest coach: Joel Quenneville, 307-191-77-18 (.598)

Bottom Line: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues watch Stanley Cup championship banner be raised in 2019

This Original Second Sixer has benefited in no small way as the only winter game in town, but give the franchise credit — it has seized the opportunity with the kind of consistency that is the envy of most others.

The Blue Notes have never gone more than three years without a playoff appearance and more than two only once. All they had lacked was a Stanley Cup parade.

Finally, at long last, they got that, too.

9. New York Rangers

New York Ranges right wing Rod Gilbert, left, and left wing Steve Vickers

Seasons: 94 (1926-present)

Other names: None

Record: 2,856-2,693-808-147 (.513)

Playoff appearances: 60

Stanley Cup titles: 4 (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994)

New York Rangers Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Rod Gilbert, 406

All-time points leader: Gilbert, 1,021

All-time goals-against leader: Davey Kerr, 2.07

Winningest coach: Emile Francis, 342-209-103-0 (.602)

Bottom Line: New York Rangers

The Broadway Blueshirts play in the most mega of markets, not to mention the World’s Most Famous Arena. But we wonder, how much of their legacy is hype and how much is real? Or to put it another way, where the hell are all the Stanley Cup banners in Madison Square Garden?

Twenty-six years have passed since their last one. (Is Mike Keenan to blame?) And 53 long, hard years went by since the one before that. For a loaded franchise that has all sorts of advantages, financial and otherwise, more should be expected here.

A lot more.

8. New York Islanders

New York Islanders center Bryan Trottier

Seasons: 48 (1972-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,656-1,570-347-159 (.512)

Playoff appearances: 26

Stanley Cup titles: 4 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)

New York Islanders Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Mike Bossy,573

All-time points leader: Bryan Trottier, 1,353

All-time goals-against leader: Glenn Resch, 2.56

Winningest coach: Al Arbour, 740-537-223 (.568)

Bottom Line: New York Islanders

We tried to talk ourselves out of this. There were too many down seasons and arena/attendance issues to merit this lofty status. Really, those odorous fisherman sweaters should have it in the bottom 10 alone.

Then we asked ourselves: Would you trade 44 seasons of meh for four seasons of pure, unadulterated dominance? Heck, yeah! The back-to-back-to-back-to back champions still rank as the greatest dynasty of the post-expansion era.

And as long as a salary cap is in place, they’re likely to be the greatest there will ever be.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

Seasons: 94 (1926-present)

Other names: Black Hawks

Record: 2,788-2,736-814-166 (.504)

Playoff appearances: 63

Stanley Cup titles: 6 (1934, 1936, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015)

Chicago Blackhawks Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Bobby Hull, 605

All-time points leader: Hull, 1,467

All-time goals-against leader: Charlie Gardiner, 2.02

Winningest coach: Billy Reay 516-335-161-0 (.589)

Bottom Line: Chicago Blackhawks

Cold Steel On Ice has three Stanley Cups titles of recent vintage, which give it an early claim to Team of the Century honors.

Yet let’s not forget that this franchise also had massive droughts of 23 years (in a six-team league) and 49 years without one. Or that team owner Dollar Bill Wirtz set hockey back years in the Windy City when he allowed Bobby Hull to bolt in the rival WHA, not to mention blacked out home games on local television.

This Original Sixer boasts some of the most magical names in pucks history, but there’s a hint of underachievement at the same time.

6. Edmonton Oilers

Seasons: 41 (1979-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,434-1,318-262-165 (.518)

Playoff appearances: 22

Stanley Cup titles: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000)

Edmonton Oilers Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Wayne Gretzky, 583

All-time points leader: Gretzky, 1,669

All-time goals-against leader: Tommy Salo, 2.44

Winningest coach: Glen Sather, 464-268-110-0 (.616)

Bottom Line: Edmonton Oilers

Four Stanley Cups in five sensational seasons give this franchise a lot of collateral, but it can’t live off the Gretzky Era forever. The last 15 seasons have been one massive oil spill — a single playoff series victory under seven head coaches.

This comes despite nine draft picks in the top eight overall, superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid among them. Yo, Deadmonton, what’s up with that?

Bonus point:Nobody does ice like Rogers Place, which follows Northlands Coliseum as the best surface in the league bar none.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux

Seasons: 53 (1967-present)

Other names: None

Record: 1,866-1,718-383-148 (.518)

Playoff appearances: 35

Stanley Cup titles: 5 (1991, 1992, 2009,2016, 2017)

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Mario Lemieux, 690

All-time points leader: Lemieux,1,723

All-time goals-against leader: Marc-Andre Fleury, 2.58

Winningest coach: Dan Bylsma, 252-117-0-32 (.668)

Bottom Line: Pittsburgh Penguins

Mario Lemieux carries Stanley Cup with teammates

This mid-market franchise stands as a monument to the wonders of the draft and salary cap. Because without them, it wouldn’t have drafted two generational players in Lemieux and Sidney Crosby, then been able to keep them.

In that case, they would be the Kansas City Mavericks or the Las Vegas Wranglers and the league would have one fewer cornerstone franchise. So, yeah, they’re lucky, all right, but their Lemieux-inspired management team also has been among the best around.

Besides, if it’s so dang easy to tank your way to a championship, then why haven’t more teams done it?

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Seasons: 103 (1917-present)

Other names: Arenas, St. Patricks

Record: 2,965-2,815-783-167 (.511)

Playoff appearances: 69

NHL Finals/Stanley Cup titles: 13 (1918, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)

Toronto Maple Leafs Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Mats Sundin, 420

All-time points leader: Sundin, 987

All-time goals-against leader: Al Rollins, 2.04

Winningest coach: Punch Imlach, 370-275-125-0 (.562)

Bottom Line: Toronto Maple Leafs

Thirteen Stanley Cups in the first 51 seasons, none in the next 53.

Do you realize the Maple Leafs have never won it all in more than a seven-team league? What are they waiting for — Captain Ahab to find them a parking space?

Nonetheless, this franchise has produced more Hall of Famers players (65) than any in pro sports, not to mention a slew of memorable teams, all of which vouch for its all-time greatness.

3. Boston Bruins

John Bucyk waves to Bruins fans after his No. 9 was retired

Seasons: 96 (1924-present)

Other names: None

Record: 3,208-2,387-791-184 (.562)

Playoff appearances: 73

Stanley Cup titles: 6 (1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011)

Boston Bruins Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: John Bucyk, 545

All-time points leader: Ray Bourque, 1,506

All-time goals-against leader: Tiny Thompson, 1.99

Winningest coach: Claude Julien, 419-246-0-94 (.614)

Bottom Line: Boston Bruins

Here’s one stat that goes under the radar. The B’s have lost as many Stanley Cup Final (14) as 17 current franchises have won together.

Really, how consistently good does a team have to be to knock on the door that many times? This one boasts the second-best record in regular-season history, not to mention the greatest player ever (Bobby Orr, of course) among 51 Hall of Famers.

2. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings right wing Gordie Howe

Seasons: 94 (1926-present)

Other names: Cougars, Falcons

Record: 2,970-2,547-815-173 (.533)

Playoff appearances: 64

Stanley Cup titles: 11 (1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)

Detroit Red Wings Team Leaders

All-time goals leader: Gordie Howe, 786

All-time points leader: Howe, 1,809

All-time goals-against leader: Glenn Hall, 2.12

Winningest coach: Mike Babcock 458-223-0-105 (.649)

Bottom Line: Detroit Red Wings

How many organizations can say they danced with Lord Stanley in five different decades? For the answer, see below.

Add two dynasties (1950s, 1990s), a record 25-season playoff run, Gordie Howe among 59 Hall of Fame players (only the Toronto Maple Leafs have more) and that wonnerful, wonnerful Winged Wheel crest (way cool), and there’s a whole lot to like here.

Um, other than the last four seasons, that is.

1. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens right wing Maurice Richard

Seasons: 103 (1917-present)

Other names: None

Record: 3,449-2,281-837-164(.587)

Playoff appearances: 84

NHL Final/Stanley Cup titles: 25 (1919, 1924, 1925, 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956-60, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976-79, 1986, 1993)

Montreal Canadiens Team Leaders

Maurice "The Rocket" Richard scores goal

All-time goals leader: Maurice Richard, 544

All-time points leader: Guy Lafleur, 1,246

All-time goals-against leader: George Hainsworth, 1.78

Winningest coach: Toe Blake, 500-255-159 (.634)

Bottom Line: Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens coach Al McNeil carried by players

To understand its unparalleled success, consider that this storied franchise claims as many Stanley Cup banners as 20 current franchises combined.

Also know this: Thirteen came in no more than a 10-team league. Not only that, but the Canadiens sponsored so many minor and junior league teams in the 1950s and 1960s, they had a stranglehold on young talent, especially in Quebec Province.

Times have changed since then — the Habs haven’t raised another championship banner since the 1992-93 season — but not enough to diminish one of the greatest traditions not only in hockey but any sport.