Honestly, if you haven't looked at a list of teams in NHL lately, you might be surprised by how much the geography has shifted. It wasn't that long ago that the "Desert Dogs" were a staple of the league and the idea of hockey in Utah was just a pipe dream for Salt Lake City residents. But here we are in 2026, and the league is sitting pretty with 32 franchises that actually make sense—geographically speaking, at least.
The National Hockey League is a different beast than it was even five years ago. We’ve seen the Seattle Kraken find their footing, the Vegas Golden Knights prove that expansion doesn't mean "bad at hockey," and the recent relocation of the Arizona Coyotes' assets to become the Utah Mammoth.
It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Current State of the 32
The league is split down the middle: 16 teams in the East and 16 in the West. It’s balanced. It’s symmetrical. It’s basically a dream for schedule makers who used to pull their hair out over Western teams flying across four time zones for a Tuesday night game.
Eastern Conference: Where History Lives
The East is divided into the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions. This is where you find the "Original Six" DNA mixed with some high-octane Southern growth.
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Atlantic Division
This division is a gauntlet. You've got the Boston Bruins, who seem to defy aging every single year. Then there’s the Toronto Maple Leafs—a team that carries the weight of a nation’s expectations (and the inevitable heartbreak that follows).
The rest of the Atlantic includes:
- Buffalo Sabres: Currently trying to break the longest playoff drought in history under the leadership of Rasmus Dahlin and newly minted GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
- Detroit Red Wings: The "Yzer-plan" is still churning in Motown.
- Florida Panthers: The 2024 champs who proved hockey works in the heat.
- Montreal Canadiens: The most storied franchise in the game, currently leaning on young guns like Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson.
- Ottawa Senators: A team that always feels like they’re "one year away."
- Tampa Bay Lightning: The modern dynasty that just won't go away.
Metropolitan Division
If the Atlantic is about history, the Metro is about rivalries. The proximity of these teams is insane. You can basically take a train to half the away games.
- Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour has turned Raleigh into a "Caniac" madhouse.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Often overlooked, but currently rebuilding with a gritty young core.
- New Jersey Devils: Fast, young, and occasionally brilliant.
- New York Islanders: Still playing that suffocating defensive style at UBS Arena.
- New York Rangers: The glitz and glamor of MSG.
- Philadelphia Flyers: They’ve embraced the "Broad Street Bullies" vibe again under Rick Tocchet.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby is still the heartbeat, even as the "three-headed monster" era (Crosby, Malkin, Letang) enters its twilight.
- Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record has been the main story here for years.
Western Conference: The New Frontier
The West is where the "New NHL" really lives. It’s spread out, it’s loud, and it’s where the recent expansion success stories have taken root.
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Central Division
This is the "meat and potatoes" division. It’s physical.
The newcomer here is the Utah Mammoth. After the Coyotes folded in Arizona, the team moved to Salt Lake City, playing out of the Delta Center. They’ve brought a massive spark to the Central, joining the Colorado Avalanche—who are basically a cheat code when Nathan MacKinnon is healthy—and the Dallas Stars, a team that has become a model of consistency.
The rest of the Central:
- Chicago Blackhawks: All about the Connor Bedard show right now.
- Minnesota Wild: The "State of Hockey" finally has a roster that looks like a legitimate threat.
- Nashville Predators: Smashville is still one of the toughest places for visitors to play.
- St. Louis Blues: A team in transition, trying to find their post-2019 identity.
- Winnipeg Jets: Small market, massive heart, and arguably the loudest fans in the league.
Pacific Division
The Pacific is weird. You have the California trio, the Canadian duo, and the two newest expansion teams.
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- Anaheim Ducks: Joel Quenneville is behind the bench now, trying to turn their high-draft picks into winners.
- Calgary Flames: Always gritty, always a tough out.
- Edmonton Oilers: Two words: Connor McDavid. You've gotta see him live at least once.
- Los Angeles Kings: They’ve moved on from the Rob Blake era, with Ken Holland now steering the ship.
- San Jose Sharks: Finally coming out of a deep rebuild.
- Seattle Kraken: The 32nd team that proved Seattle is a massive hockey town.
- Vancouver Canucks: A passionate fanbase that has been through the absolute wringer.
- Vegas Golden Knights: The "Golden Misfits" who aren't misfits anymore—they're just perennial contenders.
Why the List of Teams in NHL Matters for Fans
Knowing the list of teams in NHL isn't just about trivia. It’s about understanding the playoff format. Since the league is balanced with 32 teams, the "Wild Card" system actually works pretty smoothly now.
The top three teams in each division get a spot. Then, the next two best teams in each conference—regardless of their division—get the Wild Card seeds. It creates these "crossover" matchups that make the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the best two weeks in sports.
What People Get Wrong About the Map
A common misconception is that the NHL is still trying to expand. While cities like Atlanta, Houston, and even Quebec City are always in the rumor mill, Commissioner Gary Bettman has been pretty vocal lately: the league is happy at 32.
The focus has shifted from adding teams to stabilizing them. The move to Utah was the final piece of that puzzle.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking to follow the league more closely this year, here are a few things you should actually do:
- Watch the "Utah Effect": If you're a betting person, keep an eye on how teams handle the travel to Salt Lake City. It's a new altitude and a new environment that hasn't been factored into road trips before.
- Follow the Metropolitan Gauntlet: If you want the best "bang for your buck" in terms of intensity, watch games between the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils. The points are so tight in that division that every game feels like April.
- Check the Standings Weekly: With 32 teams, the "mushy middle" is bigger than ever. A three-game winning streak can move a team from 12th in the conference to a playoff spot.
- Plan a Road Trip: If you're a fan of a team in the East, 2026 is a great year to visit the newer arenas like Climate Pledge (Seattle) or the Delta Center (Utah). The fan experiences there are lightyears ahead of some of the older barns.
The NHL is more balanced than it has been in decades. Whether you're rooting for a legacy franchise or a brand-new squad in the desert (or the mountains), the 32-team era is officially here to stay.