Checking In On The NHL’s ’67 Expansion Teams

Nov 2, 2013; Toledo, OH, USA; Detailed view of the Los Angeles King and Chicago Blackhawks on the Stanley Cup prior to the game between the Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye at the Huntington Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It has been 46-years since the 1967 NHL expansion and that expansion was kind of a big deal for a couple of reasons. First off, it brought our beloved Los Angeles Kings into existence and that is reason enough to love any move made by the NHL’s brass. Second, it was the first step away from the NHL’s Original Six and expanded the league to America’s west coast. This move ultimately kept the NHL the premier hockey league in the United States and stunted the growth of leagues like Western Hockey League.

Six teams were brought into the league at that time, two of those teams called California home while the remaining four were based in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minnesota.

Since coming into the league all six teams have experienced success at different times in their organization’s history. Some have experienced more than others. Of the six teams one has ceased operations and one has been relocated.

Let’s take a look at how each organization has performed since coming into the league. (The season totals do not include this season)