The following is a timeline describing the history of the National Hockey League's teams and their franchise histories. Non-NHL franchise histories are also included here. This timeline starts with the first team created, the Montreal Canadiens and it ends with the most recent one, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Grey portions in the timeline denote periods where a team was inactive for the season.
The period between the two grey bars denotes the "Original Six" era.
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Footnotes[]
- Team disbanded mid-season
- Team inactive 1918-19
- Team inactive 1931-32
- Team merged with Minnesota North Stars
All teams were inactive 2004-05
See also[]
| Structure | Playoffs (Streaks • Droughts • All-time playoff series) • Conference Finals • Finals |
|---|---|
| Annual events | Seasons • Stanley Cup (Champions • Winning players • Traditions and anecdotes) • Presidents' Trophy • All-Star Game • Draft • Awards • All-Star Teams |
| Players | List of players • Association • Retired jersey numbers • Captains |
| History | Lore • Organizational changes :: • Defunct teams • NHA • Original Six • 1967 Expansion • WHA Merger • Lockouts |
| Others | Outdoor games (Winter Classic • Heritage Classic • Stadium Series) • Potential expansion • Hall of Fame (Members) • Rivalries • Arenas • Rules • Fighting • Violence : International games • Kraft Hockeyville • Collective bargaining agreement • Television and radio coverage |
| Category • 2019–20 Season • 2020–21 Season • 2021–22 Season | |
