History of NHL Expansion

Since its humble beginnings in 1917, the NHL has welcomed 36 teams. Of those, thirteen have relocated and six have fallen victim to contraction. No expansion fee was levied upon the league's first five members but all others have paid to play. Prices, places and dates are listed below.

Date: Cost ---- Team
1917: --N/A -----Montreal Canadians
1917: --N/A ---- Montreal Wanderers
1917: --N/A ---- Ottawa Senators
1917: --N/A ---- Quebec Bulldogs
1917: --N/A ---- Toronto Arenas
1924: --$15k --- Boston Bruins
1924: --$15k --- Montreal Maroons
1925: --$12k --- Pittsburgh Pirates
1926: --$12k --- Chicago Black Hawks
1926: --$12k --- Detroit Cougars
1926: --$12k --- New York Rangers
1967: --$2m --- California Seals
1967: --$2m --- Los Angeles Kings
1967: --$2m --- Minnesota North Stars
1967: --$2m --- Philadelphia Flyers
1967: --$2m --- Pittsburgh Penguins
1967: --$2m --- St. Louis Blues
1970: --$6m --- Buffalo Sabres
1970: --$6m --- Vancouver Canucks
1972: --$6m -'-- Atlanta Flames
1972: --$11m ---'New York Islanders (includes $5m to NYR)
1974: --$6m ---- Kansas City Scouts
1974: --$6m ---- Washington Capitals
1979: --$7.5m -- Edmonton Oilers (includes $1.5m to WHA)
1979: --$7.5m -- Hartford Whalers (includes $1.5m to WHA)
1979: --$7.5m -- Quebec Nordiques (includes $1.5m to WHA)
1979: --$7.5m -- Winnipeg Jets (includes $1.5m to WHA)
1991: --$45m --- San Jose Sharks
1992: --$45m ---'Ottawa Senators
1992: --$45m --- Tampa Bay Lightning
1993: --$50m --- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (includes $25m to LAK)
1993: --$50m --- Florida Panthers
1998: --$80m '-- Nashville Predators
1999: --$80m --'' Atlanta Thrashers
2000: --$80m --' Columbus Blue Jackets
2000: --$80m --' Minnesota Wild

Though modern growth has furnished millions in fees to existing owners, it's yielded an unstable 30 team league fighting to survive its size. Time will tell which cities can support NHL hockey in the 21st century.