List of defunct and relocated National Hockey League teams

This is a list of teams that once played in the National Hockey League but no longer exist.  This includes franchises which have moved to different cities.  The years of operation only reflect the time in which that team was in the NHL; it does not take into account any time in which the franchise operated in another league (such as the World Hockey Association).

Defunct and relocated teams
FirstFirst year in the NHLLastLast year in the NHLRecordWin–loss–tie–overtime recordWin%Winning percentagePANHL (1918–1926) / Stanley Cup playoff (1927–present) appearancesSCStanley Cup wins*Denotes active franchise^City would later receive a new franchise

Team First LastRelocated to SeasonsRecord Win% PA SCReason for relocation/disbandmentReference Montreal Wanderers19171918Defunct11–5–0.16700Lack of available players due to World War I and arena burned down Quebec Bulldogs^19191920Hamilton Tigers14–20–0.16700Sold to a Hamilton-based company Hamilton Tigers19201925Defunct547–78–1.37700Ceased operations due to players' strike; players were bought by the New York Americans. Pittsburgh Pirates^19251930Philadelphia Quakers567–122–23.37020Financial problems during the Great Depression Philadelphia Quakers^19301931Defunct14–36–4.13600Financial problems during the Great Depression Ottawa Senators^19171934St. Louis Eagles16258–221–63.53494Financial problems during the Great Depression St. Louis Eagles^19341935Defunct111–31–6.29200Financial problems during the Great Depression Montreal Maroons19241938Defunct14271–260–91.509112Financial problems during the Great Depression Brooklyn Americans^19251942Defunct17255–402–127.40650Financial problems, plus lack of players due to World War II; formally ceased in 1946. California Golden Seals^19671976Cleveland Barons9182–401–115.34320In search of better financial conditions; Cleveland is the hometown of minority owner George Gund III. Kansas City Scouts19741976Colorado Rockies227–110–23.24100Financial problems; sold to a group of investors with the intention to move. Cleveland Barons19761978Minnesota North Stars (merge)247–87–26.37500Both teams with financial problems. To date, the Barons are the last NHL franchise to cease operations. Atlanta Flames^19721980Calgary Flames*8268–260–108.50660Financial problems; sold to Nelson Skalbania with the intention to move to Calgary. Colorado Rockies^19761982New Jersey Devils*6113–281–86.32500Sold to John McMullen in search of better financial conditions; New Jersey is McMullen's home state. Minnesota North Stars^19671993Dallas Stars*26758–970–334.449170In search of better financial conditions. Quebec Nordiques19791995Colorado Avalanche*16497–599–160.45990Financial problems; sold to a Denver-based group. Winnipeg Jets^19791996Arizona Coyotes*17506–660–172.442110Sold to a group of investors with the intention to move in search of better financial conditions. Hartford Whalers19791997Carolina Hurricanes*18534–709–177.43880In search of better financial conditions. Atlanta Thrashers19992011Winnipeg Jets*11342–437–45–78.44710Financial problems; sold to a Winnipeg-based company TNSE.

Notes
 This team was not affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).
 This team was not affiliated with the present-day Ottawa Senators.
 The team was formerly known as the New York Americans (1925–1941), and was not affiliated with the Rangers, the Islanders, or the Devils. In addition, the Devils relocated from East Rutherford to Newark in 2007, while the Islanders relocated from Uniondale to Brooklyn in 2015. However, the Devils and the Islanders have never relocated out of the New York metropolitan area.
 The team was formerly known as the California Seals (1967), Oakland Seals (1967–1970), and Bay Area Seals (1970).
 This team was not affiliated with the Colorado Rockies of MLB.
 This team was not affiliated with the present-day Winnipeg Jets.
 The Wanderers played four games during the  before becoming defunct; a further two games were defaulted before the club folded.
 The Senators were on hiatus during the  due to financial problems.*
 The 2004–05 season was cancelled due to the season lockout.*

References

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Category:Ice hockey related lists