National Hockey League: Expansion and Modernization (1967–2003)

1. First NHL entry draft held in Montreal

   Jun 5, 1963Labels: NHL Draft, Montreal

   • NHL Draft
   • Entry Draft

2. NHL holds the 1967 expansion draft

   Jun 6, 1967Labels: 1967 Expansion, Original Six

   • 1967 Draft
   • Flyers History

3. Six new teams begin play in 1967–68

   Oct 11, 1967Labels: 1967 Expansion, New franchises

   • 1967 Draft
   • Flyers Season

4. Buffalo and Vancouver join the NHL

   May 22, 1970Labels: Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks

   • Canucks Season
   • Sabres History

5. Islanders and Flames expansion draft held

   Jun 6, 1972Labels: Islanders, Atlanta Flames

   • 1972 Draft
   • NHL Season

6. Capitals and Scouts expansion draft held

   Jun 12, 1974Labels: Washington Capitals, Kansas City

   • 1974 Draft
   • 1974 75 Season

7. NHL reorganizes into conferences and divisions

   Oct 9, 1974Labels: Conferences &, 1974 reorganization

   • 1974 75 Season
   • Capitals Season

8. North Stars and Barons merge; players dispersed

   Jun 15, 1978Labels: North Stars, Cleveland Barons

   • Dispersal Draft
   • MNopedia

9. NHL votes to absorb four WHA teams

   Mar 30, 1979Labels: WHA teams, 1979 absorption

   • NHL com
   • WHA

10. WHA-NHL agreement takes effect for 1979–80

    Jun 22, 1979Labels: WHA-NHL Agreement, 1979 80

    • 1979 Expansion
    • WHA

11. San Jose Sharks begin play as expansion team

    Oct 3, 1991Labels: San Jose, 1991 expansion

    • 1991 92 Season
    • MNopedia

12. Ottawa and Tampa Bay join for 1992–93

    Oct 6, 1992Labels: Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay

    • 1992 93 Season
    • UPI

13. Ducks and Panthers join; league realigns geographically

    Oct 6, 1993Labels: Mighty Ducks, Florida Panthers

    • 1993 94 Season
    • Ducks Season

14. Nashville Predators begin play as 27th franchise

    Oct 10, 1998Labels: Nashville Predators, 1998 expansion

    • NHL Predators
    • Predators Season

15. Wild and Blue Jackets start play; NHL reaches 30 teams

    Oct 6, 2000Labels: Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue

    • 2000 01 Season
    • Blue Jackets