Expansion team

An expansion team is a term used for a brand new team.

When an expansion team begins play, they are generally stocked with less talented free agents and inexperienced staffs. Additionally, prospective owners must pay extremely steep fees to the league as well as expensive start-up costs such as stadiums and facilities. As a result, most expansion teams are known for their poor play during their inaugural season. However, with increasing parity (mainly due to first pick drafts) and experience, some are known to win championships only a few years after their first season.

Most teams are considered as an expansion team usually in their first season and sometimes in their second season. A team that moves to another location and/or changes its name is generally not considered an expansion team, as a relocated teams, and if the name changed they are known as renamed teams.

Cities and/or regions with large populations that lack a team are generally regarded to be the best candidates for new teams.

1924

 * Boston Bruins
 * Montreal Maroons (now defunct)

1925

 * Pittsburgh Pirates (now defunct)
 * New York Americans (now defunct)

1926

 * Detroit Cougars (now Detroit Red Wings)
 * Chicago Black Hawks (now Chicago Blackhawks)
 * New York Rangers

1967

 * Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas Stars)
 * Los Angeles Kings
 * Oakland Seals (now defunct)
 * Philadelphia Flyers
 * Pittsburgh Penguins
 * St. Louis Blues

1970

 * Buffalo Sabres
 * Vancouver Canucks

1972

 * Atlanta Flames (now Calgary Flames)
 * New York Islanders

1974

 * Kansas City Scouts (now New Jersey Devils)
 * Washington Capitals

1991

 * San Jose Sharks

1992

 * Ottawa Senators
 * Tampa Bay Lightning

1993

 * Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (now Anaheim Ducks)
 * Florida Panthers

1998

 * Nashville Predators

1999

 * Atlanta Thrashers

2000

 * Columbus Blue Jackets
 * Minnesota Wild