The NHL is the best hockey league in the world but how many teams are there and how are they broken down?

The NHL, North America’s premier professional ice hockey league, captivates millions with its intense matchups and dedicated fan base. This article provides a full rundown of the league’s 32 teams, divided across the Eastern and Western Conferences and further split into the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Divisions.

Ready to elevate your fantasy hockey experience? Join Sleeper today to track NHL players, monitor team matchups, and stay on top of league updates!

How Many Teams Are There in the NHL? A Hockey Guide

The NHL is not only the best hockey league in North America but in the entire world. Young hockey players across the globe dream of playing in the NHL, and the league's popularity has grown massively worldwide in recent years.

As its popularity has grown so has the size of the league. The NHL has seen a few rounds of expansion in recent years with new teams coming into the league.

How Many Teams Are There in the NHL?

As of the 2024-25 season, there are currently 32 teams in the NHL. These 32 teams are divided across four divisions in two conferences. All teams are listed below in alphabetical order by conference and division.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference is home to the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions.

Atlantic Division

  • Boston Bruins
  • Buffalo Sabres
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Florida Panthers
  • Montreal Canadiens
  • Ottawa Senators
  • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Toronto Maple Leafs

Metropolitan Division

  • Carolina Hurricanes
  • Columbus Blue Jackets
  • New Jersey Devils
  • New York Islanders
  • New York Rangers
  • Philadelphia Flyers
  • Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Washington Capitals

Western Conference

The Western Conference is home to the Central and Pacific Divisions.

Central Division

  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • Colorado Avalanche
  • Dallas Stars
  • Minnesota Wild
  • Nashville Predators
  • St. Louis Blues
  • Utah Hockey Club
  • Winnipeg Jets

Pacific Division

  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Calgary Flames
  • Edmonton Oilers
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • San Jose Sharks
  • Seattle Kraken
  • Vancouver Canucks
  • Vegas Golden Knights

How Many Players Are on Each NHL Team?

The standard NHL roster has a maximum of 23 players. This includes forwards, defensemen and goalies.

A team can only have 20 players active for any given game, which typically breaks down to 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies. This means that three players will be scratched for each game.

See more: Breaking Down the Positions in Hockey

How Does the NHL Team Structure Affect Fantasy Hockey?

An NHL team’s structure goes a long way in terms of fantasy hockey. It’s important to know which players play on which lines to maximize your potential points and categories on any given night or week.

Of course, it’s also important to factor in a team’s schedule and matchups. Games between divisional opponents are typically more intense while a team playing a team from the opposite conference can sometimes be a bit more relaxed. Keep this in mind when choosing which players to put in your lineup on any given night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many American teams are in the NHL?

There are currently 27 American teams in the NHL along with five Canadian teams.

What is the smallest city in the NHL?

The smallest cities that have an NHL team include Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada and Buffalo, New York in America.

Are there any plans to expand the NHL?

With the recent success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, the NHL is open to further expansion in the coming years.

Boost Your Fantasy Hockey Strategy with Sleeper!

After reading our breakdown of how many teams there are in the NHL, you should have a better idea of the makeup of the league and how it impacts your fantasy hockey decisions.

Make sure you join Sleeper by signing up on the website or downloading the app where you can track players, monitor team matchups, and stay updated on the latest news around the NHL.