NHL Expansion / Relocation Timeline
1917
- Montreal Canadiens enter league
- Montreal Wanderers enter league (fold in mid-season)
- Ottawa Senators enter league
- Quebec Bulldogs enter league (but do not play)
- Toronto Arenas enter league
1919
- Quebec Bulldogs begin play
- Toronto Arenas withdraw from league
1920
- Quebec Bulldogs relocate and become the Hamilton Tigers
- Toronto Arenas reorganize and return to league as the Toronto St. Patricks
1924
- Boston Bruins enter league
- Montreal Maroons enter league
1925
- Hamilton Tigers relocate and become the New York Americans
- Pittsburgh Pirates enter league
1926
- Chicago Black Hawks enter league
- Detroit Cougars enter league
- New York Rangers enter league
1927
- Toronto St. Patricks are renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs (February 14, 1927, in mid-season)
1930
- Detroit Cougars are renamed the Detroit Falcons
- Pittsburgh Pirates relocate and become the Philadelphia Quakers
1931
- Ottawa Senators suspend operations
- Philadelphia Quakers suspend operations
1932
- Detroit Falcons are renamed the Detroit Red Wings
- Ottawa Senators return to play
1934
- Ottawa Senators relocate and become the St. Louis Eagles
1935
1936
- Philadelphia Quakers fold
1938
1941
- New York Americans are renamed the Brooklyn Americans
1942
1967
- California Seals enter league (are renamed the Oakland Seals on December 8, 1967, in mid-season)
- Los Angeles Kings enter league
- Minnesota North Stars enter league
- Philadelphia Flyers enter league
- Pitsburgh Penguins enter league
- St. Louis Blues enter league
1970
- Buffalo Sabres enter league
- Oakland Seals are renamed the California Golden Seals
- Vancouver Canucks enter league
1972
- Atlanta Flames enter league
- New York Islanders enter league
1974
- Kansas City Scouts enter league
- Washington Capitals enter league
1976
- California Seals relocate and become the Cleveland Barons
- Kansas City Scouts relocate and become the Colorado Rockies
1978
- Cleveland Barons merge with Minnesota North Stars
1979
- Edmonton Oilers join NHL from WHA
- Hartford Whalers join NHL from WHA
- Quebec Nordiques join NHL from WHA
- Winnipeg Jets join NHL from WHA
1980
- Atlanta Flames relocate and become the Calgary Flames
1982
- Colorado Rockies relocate and become the New Jersey Devils
1986
- Chicago Black Hawks are renamed the Chicago Blackhawks
1991
- San Jose Sharks enter league
1992
- Ottawa Senators enter league
- Tampa Bay Lightning enter league
1993
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim enter league
- Minnesota North Stars relocate and become the Dallas Stars
- Florida Panthers enter league
1995
- Quebec Nordiques relocate and become the Colorado Avalanche
1996
- Winnipeg Jets relocate and become the Phoenix Coyotes
1997
- Hartford Whalers relocate and become the Carolina Hurricanes
1998
- Nashville Predators enter league
1999
- Atlanta Thrashers enter league
2000
- Columbus Blue Jackets enter league
- Minnesota Wild enter league
2006
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are renamed the Anaheim Ducks
