As talked about in my last blog, the NHL’s “Original Six Era” was from 1942- 1967. In 1967 though the NHL finally decided to expand beyond just those six teams. In fact, the NHL doubled in size, adding six new teams. The new teams ranged from coast to coast and really expanded the NHL nation wide. The new teams were the California Seals (later renamed to Oakland and back to California), Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars (later becoming Dallas Stars), Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues. Expanding was an effort form the NHL to compete with some leagues forming throught the United States and Canada, like the Western Hockey League. Each owner had to pay a 2 million dollar fee for their team to start in the National Hockey League. By 1974 the NHL had expanded to 18 teams including teams merging (Minnesota and Cleveland). In 1979, the NHL and rival Western Hockey Association (WHA) merged and the NHL gained four new teams. The Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers (renamed Hartford, then Carolina Hurricanes in 1997), Quebec Nordiques (later moved to Colorado Avalanche in 1995), and the Winnipeg Jets (later moved to Phoenix Coyotes in 1996). This brought the NHL to 22 teams and much of what we know the NHL to be today.
Expansion Era Video – although this video is trying to promote a Winter Classic game between the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues, the beginning has interesting information on the Expansion Era teams.