List of defunct NHL teams
This is a list of teams that once played in the National Hockey League but no longer exist. This includes franchises which have relocated 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 teams before the Original Six
- Montreal Wanderers (1917-1918)
- Ottawa Senators (1917-1934; became St. Louis Eagles; for the current team with the same name see Ottawa Senators)
- Québec Bulldogs (1919-1920; became Hamilton Tigers)
- Hamilton Tigers (1920-1925)
- Montreal Maroons (1924-1938)
- New York Americans (1925-1942; renamed Brooklyn Americans in 1941)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1925-1930; became Philadelphia Quakers)
- Philadelphia Quakers (1930-1931)
- St. Louis Eagles (1934-1935)
Defunct teams after 1967 expansion
- Oakland Seals (1967-1976; renamed California Golden Seals in 1970, became Cleveland Barons in 1976, merged with the Minnesota North Stars after the 1976 season.
- Minnesota North Stars (1967-1993; became Dallas Stars)
- Atlanta Flames (1972-1980; became Calgary Flames)
- Kansas City Scouts (1974-1976; became Colorado Rockies)
- Cleveland Barons (1976-1978; merged with Minnesota North Stars)
- Colorado Rockies (1976-1982; became New Jersey Devils)
- Quebec Nordiques (1979-1995; became Colorado Avalanche)
- Winnipeg Jets (1979-1996; became Phoenix Coyotes)
- Hartford Whalers (1979-1997; became Carolina Hurricanes)
Defunct teams from NHL European Pilot Project
- London Lions (1973-1974)
