NHL Power Rankings: Every franchise statistically ranked all-time
By Daniel
5. New Jersey Devils (1974): 3.050 Points
The highest franchise on this ranking to switch cities is the Devils. In just 40 years the Devils have amassed more history, in terms of consistent success, than most NHL franchises. They’ve won three Stanley Cups, five conference championships, and nine division championships. Thanks mostly to all-time great former goaltender Martin Brodeur. The Devils have not won a Presidents’ Trophy yet, but I don’t think their fans mind. Today they’re led by defenseman captain Bryce Salvador and forwards Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias, Jaromir Jagr, and Adam Henrique (pretty much the only promising young player on this roster). The Devils are poised for a few rough seasons as their time dominating the league had to come to an end eventually. Their all-time greatest players have been John MacLean, Kirk Muller, Scott Niedermayer, Zach Parise as well as Brodeur and Elias. Don’t look for this quality organization to stay down for long though.
(Formerly Kansas City Scout 1974-76, Colorado Rockies 1976-82)
4. Philadelphia Flyers (1967): 3.234 Points
The highest ranked team from the “Second Six” is the team from Philly that was once known as the Broadstreet Bullies. The Flyers may come in a bit higher than many would have guessed, but one look at their history confirms their rightful inclusion in the top 5 of this ranking. Philadelphia has won two Stanley Cups, and an impressive eight conference championships and 16 division titles. That’s a lot of success for the team with one of the prettiest (or ugliest depending on who you ask) sweaters in the league. Today they’re led by forwards captain Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Vincent Lecavalier and defenseman Mark Streit. Their best players in the history of the team are forwards Bobby Clark and Bill Barber. Along with defensemen Mark Howe and Barry Ashbee and goaltender Bernie Parent. Cannot forget to mention Eric Lindros, either, a superstar with a career cut short by injury. They are one of three NHL organizations that do not have a mascot (Oilers, Rangers).
3. Detroit Red Wings (1942): 3.583 Points
Perhaps the franchise with the most passionate fan base in the entire NHL came in at number three on this list. Many Wings fans will be upset they aren’t higher, to which they can blame on their “Era of Dead Things” (1967-1982). Even so, Detroit is arguably the greatest hockey city in the league…I mean it is called “Hockeytown” after all. This franchise absolutely drips with history and this placement on this ranking should be a source of pride. They’ve won nine Stanley Cups since the formation of the “Original Six” to go along with six conference championships and 16 division titles. They’ve won the most Presidents’ Trophies in NHL history (six). Today they’re led by forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and defenseman Niklas Kronwall. Detroit boasts some of the best players in NHL history including forwards Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Steve Yzerman, Sid Abel and many more. Not to be forgotten are all-time greats defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and goaltender Terry Sawchuk. Flying octopuses are one of the greatest sights in all of the NHL and so are Detroit’s classic sweaters. The Red Wings’ franchise has it all, including an amazing 23 year playoff streak.
2. Edmonton Oilers (1979): 4.857 Points
The most surprising franchise on this entire ranking is the Oilers coming in an incredibly impressive ranking — as the No. 2 greatest franchise in NHL History. Edmonton accomplished this by winning an incredible amount, while only being around for 35 seasons. They’ve lifted five Stanley Cups, won seven conference championships, and won their division eight times. The Oilers have also won two Presidents‘ Trophies. The greatest player in league history is a major part of the Oilers’ impressive ranking — Wayne Gretzky. But he wasn’t alone, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Glen Anderson all helped this franchise reach amazing heights in the 1980s (the decade that they won their five Cups in). Today they’re led by forwards captain Andrew Ference, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a relatively young core. Fun fact, they were the first NHL team to introduce cheerleaders, known as the “Oilers Octane”. But if the Oilers don’t start accumulating some big-time success again the Red Wings may eventually pass them (in terms of greatness per year).
1. Montreal Canadiens (1942): 4.944 Points
The greatest franchise in NHL history is none other than the Montreal Canadiens. Appropriate it is the Canadiens at No. 1 as hockey is Canada’s game. Most people agreed that Montreal was the most dominant team in the first two-thirds of the NHL’s existence. But this ranking proves that they are the No. 1 team of all-time, in terms of consistent greatness, including modern times. ‘But they haven’t won a Cup since 1993’ some people will argue. This is true, but it speaks to complete level of dominance that the Canadiens had over the NHL in the years before the mid-1990s.
They’ve won 20 Stanley Cups since 1942 (excluding their four Cup wins from before the “Original Six” was created). Their 17 division championships are second most all-time, their eight conference championships tied for the most, but they’ve never won a Presidents’ Trophy. Today they’re led by Max Pacioretty, P.K. Subban, Tomas Plekanec, Andrei Markov, and Carey Price (goaltender). They’re a franchise set to be a contender for years and could add to their NHL-leading adjusted point total in the next few seasons. There are far too many great players to name in their extensive history, so here are just a few Guy Lafleur, Patrick Roy, Jean Beliveau, Maurice “Rocket” Richard but the list truly does go on and on. The greatest head coach in NHL history Scotty Bowman needs to mentioned as well. He won five Stanley Cups for the Habs (plus three with the Red Wings and one with the Penguins). The Habs’ sweaters are as iconic as they come and so is their “C” logo. Take pride in this number one ranking Canadiens fans, as you’re supporters of the greatest franchise in NHL history — but look out, this position isn’t set in stone.
As the NHL continues on into the future this list will continue to evolve and change. That is what makes it so current and tangible. The current top 10 won’t be the top 10 in 25 years, maybe a new team will steal the No. 1 ranking from the Canadiens. But for now the question of ‘Which franchise is the greatest in NHL history?’ has been statistically answered…but you’re still going to argue about it aren’t you? I wouldn’t expect anything less.
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