Key Takeaways

• The NHL (National Hockey League) consists of 31 teams divided into two conferences and four divisions.
• This map visualizes the team distribution across conferences and divisions during the 2017-18 season.
• Familiarizing yourself with this map helps gain a better understanding of the NHL’s geographical structure.

History

The NHL, founded in 1917, has undergone numerous changes in terms of the number of teams, divisions, and conferences. The league’s expansion over the years has resulted in a more widespread presence across North America.

In the 2017-18 season, the NHL consisted of 31 teams, with 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and 15 teams in the Western Conference. Each conference was further divided into two divisions: the Eastern Conference had the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, while the Western Conference had the Central and Pacific Divisions.

The distribution of teams among these conferences and divisions on the NHL Teams and Conferences Map serves as a visual representation of how the league organizes its teams for competition.

Unique Insights

• The Eastern Conference featured more teams than the Western Conference in the 2017-18 season.
• The Atlantic Division, with eight teams, was the largest division in terms of team count.
• The Pacific Division, with seven teams, was the smallest division in the league during that season.
• The Central Division had the most geographically dispersed teams, spanning both the Midwest and southern United States.
• The Metropolitan Division showcased teams primarily from the northeastern United States, including original six teams.

Table of Facts

FAQ

1. How many teams were there in the 2017-18 NHL season?

There were 31 teams in the NHL during the 2017-18 season.

2. How were the teams divided among the conferences?

The Eastern Conference had 16 teams, while the Western Conference had 15 teams.

3. Which division had the most teams?

The Atlantic Division was the largest division with 8 teams.

4. How many teams were in the Pacific Division?

The Pacific Division consisted of 7 teams in the 2017-18 season.

5. Which division was geographically the most widespread?

The Central Division covered a broader geographical area, including the Midwest and southern United States.

6. Which division had teams primarily from the northeastern United States?

The Metropolitan Division featured teams primarily from the northeastern United States, including original six teams.

7. How many divisions were there in each conference?

Each conference had two divisions.

External Links

• NHL Official Website
• 2017-18 NHL Standings

LSI Keywords

• NHL teams 2017-18
• Conference distribution in the NHL
• 2017-18 NHL divisions
• Eastern Conference teams
• Western Conference teams
• Atlantic Division
• Metropolitan Division
• Pacific Division
• Central Division
• NHL historical changes