When did the NHL have 21 teams?

Answer 1

In 1979, four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association joined the NHL to give it 21 teams. The four WHA teams were the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers (now Carolina Hurricanes), Winnipeg Jets (now Phoenix Coyotes), and Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche). The NHL played with 21 teams until 1991 when the San Jose Sharks joined the league.

Answer 2

The NHL has expanded to include new teams many times since it began play in 1917. Some of these added teams ceased operations after a few years of operation, while others continue to play in the NHL.

In chronological order, they are:

• 1919: Quebec Bulldogs (Hamilton Tigers/New York Americans; ceased operations in 1942)
• 1924: Boston Bruins, Montreal Maroons (ceased operations in 1938)
• 1925: Pittsburgh Pirates (Philadelphia Quakers; ceased operations in 1931)
• 1926: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings (Cougars/Falcons), New York Rangers
• 1967: Dallas Stars (Minnesota North Stars), Oakland Seals (Cleveland Barons; merged with North Stars in 1978), Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Saint Louis Blues
• 1970: Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks
• 1972: Calgary Flames (Atlanta), New York Islanders; WHA teams Carolina Hurricanes (New England/Hartford Whalers), Colorado Avalanche (Quebec Nordiques), Edmonton Oilers (Alberta Oilers) and Phoenix Coyotes (Winnipeg Jets); WHA and NHL merged in 1979
• 1974: New Jersey Devils (Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies), Washington Capitals
• 1991: San Jose Sharks
• 1992: Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 1993: Anaheim Ducks (Mighty Ducks), Florida Panthers
• 1998: Nashville Predators
• 1999: Atlanta Thrashers
• 2000: Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild

Answer 3

When the NHL was first formed in 1917 there were 4 teams: Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and Quebec Bulldogs.

An explanation about the misconception that were 6 NHL teams to start with:

In 1920 the Boston Bruins joined becoming the first American team to join the NHL. In 1926, the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks (later renamed as Chicago Blackhawks) and Detroit Cougars (later named Detroit Red Wings) joined. The Toronto Arena (a "temporary" team in 1917 which became a "real" NHL team in 1918) was renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1927. Due to the Great Depression and World War I, there were a lack of players for a lot of the teams. The league was cut back in the 1942-1943 season to 6 teams: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. These teams are considered the "Original Six". The term "Original Six" refers to the only teams which were in the NHL from 1942 until 1967.