176 articles
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers: NHL expansion team (1967) in the Metropolitan Division, first expansion club to win the Stanley Cup (1974, 1975) as the Broad Street Bullies; rebuilding under GM Danny Brière after a playoff drought from 2020.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL ice hockey team (Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference), founded 1967-68 expansion. Five Stanley Cups (1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017); home PPG Paints Arena; owned since June 2026 by Hoffmann Family of Companies.
Potential National Hockey League expansion
Potential NHL expansion: the 32-team league's process for adding franchises. Active 2026 Texas exploration with the Friedkin family (Houston or Austin, ~$3.5B), $2B minimum fee, plus Atlanta and Arizona interest.
PPG Paints Arena
PPG Paints Arena (formerly CONSOL Energy Center) is Pittsburgh's 18,000-plus-seat NHL arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2010; renamed in 2016, LEED-Gold certified, owned by the SEA and master leased to the Penguins through 2039.
Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy, NHL annual award since 1985-86 to the team with the best regular-season record by points; Detroit Red Wings lead with six wins; only eight winners also won the Stanley Cup.
Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques (Nordiques de Québec), ice hockey team of Quebec City, WHA 1972-1979 (Avco Cup 1977) and NHL 1979-1995; sold to Comsat for $75 million in 1995 and became the Colorado Avalanche.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks, NHL ice hockey team in San Jose, California, Pacific Division; founded 1990, first season 1991-92, play at SAP Center, owned by Hasso Plattner, one Stanley Cup Final appearance (2016), no Cup.
SAP Center
SAP Center at San Jose, also called the Shark Tank, is an indoor arena in downtown San Jose, California, opened in 1993 and home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary's saddle-roofed arena opened in 1983 for the 1988 Winter Olympics and home of the NHL Calgary Flames, AHL Wranglers, WHL Hitmen, and NLL Roughnecks; farewell season 2026-27 before demolition.
Season structure of the NHL
Season structure of the NHL: the league's 32 teams play an 84-game regular season from 2026-27 (previously 82), earning 2 points per win and 1 per overtime loss, followed by best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Seattle Kraken
Seattle Kraken, NHL's 32nd franchise (approved December 4, 2018; first season 2021-22), playing at Climate Pledge Arena; named July 23, 2020; reached the 2023 second round.
St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues, NHL franchise founded 1967, based in St. Louis, Missouri, playing at Enterprise Center. Won their first Stanley Cup in 2019 after being last in the standings in January; Alexander Steen became GM in 2026 and Robert Thomas the 25th captain.
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup, or Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, is the NHL's championship trophy, donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, first won by Montreal AAA in 1893, NHL-exclusive since 1926-27.
Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Final, NHL's annual best-of-seven championship series between conference winners for the Stanley Cup; NHL-exclusive since 1926-27, best-of-seven since 1939; recent champions Florida Panthers (2025) and Carolina Hurricanes (2026).
Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs, NHL postseason tournament; 16 teams, four best-of-7 rounds, division-based bracket with wild cards; champion wins the Stanley Cup, awarded to NHL playoff champion since 1926-27.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL ice hockey team in Tampa, Florida, Atlantic Division, founded 1992. Stanley Cup champion 2004, 2020, 2021; 2025-26 record 50-26-6, lost first round to Montreal.
Tom Gorman
Tom Gorman was a Canadian athlete and sports promoter who won lacrosse gold at the 1908 Olympics, founded the NHL, and managed seven Stanley Cup winners.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs, officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club, are a Canadian NHL team founded in 1917 that has won thirteen Stanley Cups, the last in 1967.
UBS Arena
UBS Arena: multi-purpose arena at Belmont Park, Elmont, New York, opened November 20, 2021; home of the NHL's New York Islanders; $1.1 billion privately built; 17,500 hockey capacity; LEED certified; hosts 2027 NHL All-Star Game.
Utah Mammoth
Utah Mammoth: NHL team in Salt Lake City, owned by Ryan and Ashley Smith's SEG, formerly Arizona Coyotes assets and Utah Hockey Club; named May 7, 2025 by fan vote, plays at Delta Center, colors Rock Black, Mountain Blue, Salt White.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks, NHL ice hockey club founded May 22, 1970, based at Rogers Arena. Led by Sedin twins as co-presidents and GM Ryan Johnson; last in NHL in 2025-26 (25-49-8) and rebuilding after trading Quinn Hughes.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas Golden Knights, NHL franchise (2017-18, 31st team, T-Mobile Arena). Won 2023 Stanley Cup in sixth season; 2018 and 2026 Cup Finals; coach Ryan Craig, GM Kelly McCrimmon.
Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy: annual NHL award for the best goaltender, voted by general managers; first presented 1927 in memory of Georges Vezina. Jacques Plante won a record 7; Canadiens goalies 29; 2025-26 winner Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals, NHL ice hockey team in Washington, D.C., also called the Caps; founded as a 1974 expansion club, worst inaugural NHL season, first Stanley Cup in 2018, home of record goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin.
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets: NHL team in the Central Division, playing at Canada Life Centre since 2011 after relocating from Atlanta; in 2026 the NHL merged the original Jets (1979-96), Thrashers, and current Jets into one franchise history.
Youppi!
Youppi! is the orange, exclamation-marked mascot of the Montreal Canadiens (NHL, since 2005), formerly the Montreal Expos (MLB, 1979–2004); designed by Bonnie Erickson, the only mascot to switch major leagues.