Adams Division

The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northeast and Atlantic Division.

1974–1976

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * California Golden Seals
 * Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1973–1974 Season

 * The Adams Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment
 * The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the Eastern Division
 * The California Golden Seals come from the Western Division

1976–1978

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Cleveland Barons
 * Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1975–1976 Season

 * The California Golden Seals moved to Richfield, Ohio to become the Cleveland Barons

1978–1979

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Minnesota North Stars
 * Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1977–1978 season

 * The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota North Stars. The merged franchise continues as the Minnesota North Stars, but leaves the Smythe Division to assume the Barons' place in the Adams Division.

1979–1981

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Minnesota North Stars
 * Quebec Nordiques
 * Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1978–1979 season

 * The Quebec Nordiques were granted entry into the NHL from the World Hockey Association (WHA)

1981–1992

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Hartford Whalers
 * Montreal Canadiens
 * Quebec Nordiques

Changes from the 1980–1981 Season

 * The Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Norris Division
 * The Hartford Whalers and Montreal Canadiens move in from the Norris Division

1992–1993

 * Boston Bruins
 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Hartford Whalers
 * Montreal Canadiens
 * Ottawa Senators
 * Quebec Nordiques

Changes from the 1991–1992 season

 * The Ottawa Senators were added as an expansion team

After the 1992–1993 Season
The league was reformatted into two conferences with two divisions each:
 * Eastern Conference
 * Atlantic Division
 * Northeast Division
 * Western Conference
 * Central Division
 * Pacific Division

Regular Season Division Champions

 * 1975 - Buffalo Sabres (49–16–15, 113 pts)
 * 1976 - Boston Bruins (48–15–17, 113 pts)
 * 1977 - Boston Bruins (49–23–8, 106 pts)
 * 1978 - Boston Bruins (51–18–11, 113 pts)
 * 1979 - Boston Bruins (43–23–14, 100 pts)
 * 1980 - Buffalo Sabres (47–17–16, 110 pts)
 * 1981 - Buffalo Sabres (39–20–21, 99 pts)
 * 1982 - Montreal Canadiens (46–17–17, 109 pts)
 * 1983 - Boston Bruins (50–20–10, 110 pts)
 * 1984 - Boston Bruins (49–25–6, 104 pts)
 * 1985 - Montreal Canadiens (41–27–12, 94 pts)
 * 1986 - Quebec Nordiques (43–31–6, 92 pts)
 * 1987 - Hartford Whalers (43–30–7, 93 pts)
 * 1988 - Montreal Canadiens (45–22–13, 103 pts)
 * 1989 - Montreal Canadiens (53–18–9, 115 pts)
 * 1990 - Boston Bruins (46–25–9, 101 pts)
 * 1991 - Boston Bruins (44–24–12, 100 pts)
 * 1992 - Montreal Canadiens (41–28–11, 93 pts)
 * 1993 - Boston Bruins (51–26–7, 109 pts)

Playoff Division Champions

 * 1982 - Quebec Nordiques
 * 1983 - Boston Bruins
 * 1984 - Montreal Canadiens
 * 1985 - Quebec Nordiques
 * 1986 - Montreal Canadiens
 * 1987 - Montreal Canadiens
 * 1988 - Boston Bruins
 * 1989 - Montreal Canadiens
 * 1990 - Boston Bruins
 * 1991 - Boston Bruins
 * 1992 - Boston Bruins
 * 1993 - Montreal Canadiens

Stanley Cup Winners Produced

 * 1) 1986 - Montreal Canadiens
 * 2) 1993 - Montreal Canadiens