There are 32 teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) as of the 2026–2026 season. These teams are split evenly between two conferences: 16 in the Eastern Conference and 16 in the Western Conference. If you have ever wondered exactly how many teams are in the NHL and how they are organized, this guide breaks down the complete structure, including every team listed by division.
The NHL is the premier professional ice hockey league in North America. Founded in 1917, the league has grown from its original six teams to the current 32 franchises spread across the United States and Canada. Understanding the team structure helps fans follow division rivalries, track playoff qualification, and make sense of the regular season schedule.
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Quick Facts: NHL Team Structure
Here are the essential numbers every hockey fan should know:
- Total teams: 32
- American teams: 25
- Canadian teams: 7
- Conferences: 2 (Eastern and Western)
- Teams per conference: 16
- Divisions: 4 (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, Pacific)
- Teams per division: 8
How Are NHL Teams Organized?
The NHL uses a two-tier organizational structure: conferences and divisions. Each of the two conferences contains two divisions, with eight teams in every division. This 32-team structure has been in place since 2021, when the Seattle Kraken joined as the league’s newest expansion franchise.
The Eastern Conference houses the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions. These divisions feature teams primarily located in the eastern time zone, though some extend into central time. The Western Conference contains the Central and Pacific Divisions, covering central, mountain, and pacific time zones.
Each team plays an 82-game regular season schedule. They face division rivals most frequently, then conference opponents, and finally teams from the opposite conference. This structure creates intense division rivalries while ensuring every team visits every arena at least once per season.
Eastern Conference Teams
The Eastern Conference consists of 16 teams split between the Atlantic Division and Metropolitan Division. These teams compete for eight playoff spots in the Eastern Conference bracket.
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division features eight teams, including three of the seven Canadian franchises. Many of these teams date back to the Original Six era or the major expansion of 1967.
- Boston Bruins – One of the Original Six teams, based in Massachusetts
- Buffalo Sabres – New York-based franchise founded in 1970
- Detroit Red Wings – Original Six team that moved to the Atlantic in 2013
- Florida Panthers – Sunshine State team founded in 1993
- Montreal Canadiens – Historic Original Six team with 24 Stanley Cups
- Ottawa Senators – Canadian capital team, modern franchise founded 1992
- Tampa Bay Lightning – Florida powerhouse with multiple recent championships
- Toronto Maple Leafs – Original Six team with massive Canadian fanbase
Metropolitan Division
The Metropolitan Division was created in 2013 during the last major realignment. It combines teams from the former Atlantic and Southeast Divisions, primarily clustered in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
- Carolina Hurricanes – North Carolina team, relocated from Hartford in 1997
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Ohio expansion team founded in 2000
- New Jersey Devils – Former Colorado Rockies, moved to New Jersey in 1982
- New York Islanders – Long Island franchise with four Stanley Cups from the 1980s
- New York Rangers – Original Six team playing at Madison Square Garden
- Philadelphia Flyers – Pennsylvania team founded in 1967 expansion
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Pennsylvania franchise with multiple recent championships
- Washington Capitals – D.C. team that won their first Stanley Cup in 2018
Western Conference Teams
The Western Conference also contains 16 teams, split between the Central and Pacific Divisions. These teams battle for the remaining eight playoff positions in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Central Division
The Central Division covers the middle of North America geographically. It includes the newest NHL franchise, the Utah Hockey Club, which began play in the 2024-25 season after the Arizona Coyotes suspended operations.
- Chicago Blackhawks – Original Six team with recent dynasty success
- Colorado Avalanche – Former Quebec Nordiques, relocated in 1995
- Dallas Stars – Former Minnesota North Stars, moved to Texas in 1993
- Minnesota Wild – Expansion team that returned hockey to Minnesota in 2000
- Nashville Predators – Tennessee expansion team founded in 1998
- St. Louis Blues – 1967 expansion team that won first Stanley Cup in 2019
- Utah Hockey Club – Newest NHL franchise, formerly Arizona Coyotes assets
- Winnipeg Jets – Returned to Manitoba in 2011 when Atlanta Thrashers relocated
Pacific Division
The Pacific Division stretches across the western United States and Canada. It includes the two most recent expansion teams: the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken.
- Anaheim Ducks – Southern California team founded in 1993 as the Mighty Ducks
- Calgary Flames – Former Atlanta Flames, relocated to Alberta in 1980
- Edmonton Oilers – Alberta team with legendary dynasty history
- Los Angeles Kings – California franchise founded in 1967 expansion
- San Jose Sharks – Northern California team founded in 1991
- Seattle Kraken – Newest expansion team, joined NHL in 2021
- Vancouver Canucks – British Columbia team founded in 1970
- Vegas Golden Knights – Nevada expansion team that joined in 2017
NHL Teams by Country
Of the 32 NHL teams, 25 are based in the United States and 7 are based in Canada. This geographic distribution reflects the sport’s Canadian origins and its growth throughout the United States over the past century.
The seven Canadian teams are spread across three divisions. The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs represent the Atlantic Division. The Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks compete in the Pacific Division. The Winnipeg Jets are the lone Canadian team in the Central Division.
The 25 American teams are distributed throughout the Eastern and Western Conferences. Major hockey markets like Boston, New York, Chicago, and Detroit host historic franchises. Newer markets like Nashville, Las Vegas, and Seattle demonstrate the league’s continued growth across the United States.
How the NHL Grew to 32 Teams
The NHL began with just four teams in 1917. The Original Six era, from 1942 to 1967, featured only the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. This stable period built the league’s foundation and created enduring rivalries that continue today.
The 1967 expansion doubled the league size from six to twelve teams, adding franchises in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Minnesota. This marked the beginning of the NHL’s transformation into a truly continental league.
Subsequent expansions brought teams to Buffalo and Vancouver in 1970, New York Islanders and Atlanta (now Calgary) in 1972, Kansas City and Washington in 1974, and Edmonton, Quebec, Hartford, and the original Winnipeg Jets between 1979 and 1980. The 1990s saw rapid growth with San Jose, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Florida, Anaheim, and Nashville joining between 1991 and 1998.
The modern era brought Atlanta (now Winnipeg) in 1999, Columbus and Minnesota in 2000, and Vegas in 2017. Seattle became the 32nd team in 2021. Most recently, the Utah Hockey Club replaced the Arizona Coyotes for the 2024-25 season, keeping the total at 32 teams while relocating a franchise.
The Newest NHL Teams
Three teams represent the modern era of NHL expansion, each with unique origin stories and early successes.
The Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017 as the first major professional sports team in Las Vegas. They shocked the hockey world by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, eventually winning the championship in 2023. Vegas has set a new standard for expansion franchise success.
The Seattle Kraken became the 32nd NHL team in 2021, returning professional hockey to Seattle for the first time since the Metropolitans folded in 1924. The Kraken built a strong fanbase quickly and reached the playoffs in their second season, demonstrating the Pacific Northwest’s appetite for hockey.
The Utah Hockey Club is technically the newest franchise, beginning play for the 2024-25 season. However, the team acquired the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, which suspended operations. The Coyotes franchise history remains with Arizona should the league return there, while Utah starts fresh as a new hockey market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there 32 teams in the NHL?
Yes, there are currently 32 teams in the NHL. This number has been official since the Seattle Kraken joined the league in 2021. The 32 teams are divided evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences, with 16 teams in each conference.
Are there 33 teams in the NHL?
No, there are not 33 teams in the NHL. The league has exactly 32 teams as of the 2026 season. While there has been speculation about future expansion to 34 teams, no official announcement has been made about adding a 33rd franchise.
How many Canadian teams are in the NHL?
There are 7 Canadian teams in the NHL: the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets. These teams represent 22% of the league’s 32 franchises.
What is the newest NHL team?
The newest NHL team is the Utah Hockey Club, which began play in the 2024-25 season. However, if referring to a completely new expansion team (not a relocated franchise), the Seattle Kraken is the newest, having joined the league in 2021.
Will the NHL expand to 34 teams?
The NHL has not officially announced expansion to 34 teams, though commissioner Gary Bettman has mentioned that the league is open to future growth. Potential expansion cities include Houston, Quebec City, and Atlanta. Any expansion would require significant preparation time, likely making 2028 or later the earliest possible timeframe for new teams.
How many teams make the NHL playoffs?
16 teams qualify for the NHL playoffs each season: the top 3 teams from each of the 4 divisions (12 total), plus 2 wild card teams from each conference. This playoff format has been in place since 2014 and represents half of the league’s 32 teams.
Conclusion
There are 32 teams in the NHL, divided into two conferences and four divisions. The Eastern Conference contains the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, while the Western Conference houses the Central and Pacific Divisions. With 25 teams in the United States and 7 in Canada, the league represents the highest level of professional hockey in North America.
Whether you are researching how many teams are in the NHL for fantasy hockey, planning to watch more games this season, or simply curious about the league structure, this 32-team format has been designed to create competitive balance and exciting division rivalries. The league continues to evolve, with the Utah Hockey Club marking the most recent change to the team landscape for the 2026–2026 season.