Sportico data shows that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable team, and the only league franchise worth $2 billion.
The NHL welcomes the Seattle Kraken to its 32nd team in the 2021-22 season. However, Sportico reports that the league's five most valuable teams are the Original Six. The Maple Leafs are followed by the New York Rangers ($1.87billion), Montreal Canadiens (1.5billion), Chicago Blackhawks (1.36billion) and Boston Bruins (1.31 billion).
An NHL team's average value is $934 million. The combined market value for all 32 NHL teams is $30 billion. The league's profile is already being raised by the Kraken, who are valued at $860m and 14th on Sportico’s list. The 12th place on the list is the Vegas Golden Knights. They joined the NHL in 2017-18 as the 31st NHL team. Their value is $890 million.
The Florida Panthers are a popular choice for the Stanley Cup. They are expected to be one the best teams in the league this season, but are 31st in Sportico’s valuations ($520 millions).
The Arizona Coyotes ($410m) are at the bottom of this list. Alex Meruelo, who became majority owner of Coyotes in 2019, inherits the team’s greatest dilemma: finding the right venue to play. The city of Glendale announced that it would not renew the Gila Arena lease, where the team had played for 18 years. The Coyotes are aiming for Tempe where they will build a new arena as part of a $1.78 million entertainment district development. The arena is expected to open in 2025.
The NHL doesn't always have a winning record. For example, the Leafs are currently in a 54-year Stanley Cup drought, and have not made it past round one of the playoffs since 2013. The Tampa Bay Lightning, two-time Stanley Cup champions, are now 18th on Sportico’s list valued at $805 millions.
Other Stanley Cup winners include the St. Louis Blues (23rd), valued at $710m, Washington Capitals (8th), $1.17billion, and Penguins (15th), $845 million.
