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The best of the “bests”: Ranking the top draft classes of each decade

By Scott Esposito

11 JUN 1994: CANUCKS FORWARD JOHN MCINTYRE IS DUMPED BY RANGERS DEFENSEMAN BRIAN LEETCH DURING THE SECOND PERIOD OF GAME SIX OF THE STANLEY CUP FINALS IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/ALLSPORT
11 JUN 1994: CANUCKS FORWARD JOHN MCINTYRE IS DUMPED BY RANGERS DEFENSEMAN BRIAN LEETCH DURING THE SECOND PERIOD OF GAME SIX OF THE STANLEY CUP FINALS IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/ALLSPORT /
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29 Mar 1992: Defenseman Steve Konroyd of the Hartford Whalers (left) is slammed into the wall by a Buffalo Sabres player during a game at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

Expansion

More teams, more dilution of talent.

The NHL expanded to 12 teams in 1967, adding the California Golden Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers to the Original Six.

By 1974, the league swelled to 18 clubs, having added the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Atlanta Flames, Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals.

(California relocated to Ohio after the 1975-76 season, becoming the Cleveland Barons, who lasted two years before merging with Minnesota, thus leaving the NHL with one less club.)

In 1979, the World Hockey Association shut down and the NHL opened its doors to absorb many of its top players, granting franchises to the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets.

By the 2000-01 seasons, the NHL had 30 teams, having granted franchises to the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (now called the Anaheim Ducks), Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and second-chances to Atlanta (Thrashers) and Minnesota (Wild).

(As you know, Winnipeg got its second chance from the NHL in 2011-12 when the Thrashers relocated to Manitoba’s capital. Barring a setback, Seattle will become the NHL’s 32nd franchise in 2021-22.)

That’s a lot of talent spread thin.

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