Guide hub
NHL facts and records
NHL teams, the Stanley Cup and league records, with every number tied to an official source.
NHL teams and the Stanley Cup
The NHL has 32 teams in the 2026 to 2027 season. Seven play in Canada and 25 play in the United States.
The Montreal Canadiens have the most Stanley Cups, 24. The Toronto Maple Leafs are next with 13, and the Detroit Red Wings have 11. Ten teams have never won the Cup.
The Stanley Cup weighs 34.5 pounds and stands 35.25 inches tall.
Season dates
Each NHL team plays 84 regular season games in 2026 to 27, up from 82. The regular season ends Saturday, April 10, 2027, and the playoffs begin Tuesday, April 13.
The trade deadline falls on Monday, March 1, at 3 p.m. ET. Free agency opens on July 1 at noon ET.
The playoffs have four rounds of best of seven series.
NHL players
Brent Burns is the oldest active NHL player, and Gordie Howe is the oldest ever, at 52 years 11 days.
Canada sends the most players to the NHL. The NHL counted 306 Canadians among 723 players on opening day, which is 42.3%.
Start here
These guides hold the NHL’s numbers:
-
How much do NHL players make? The minimum is $850,000
How much do NHL players make? The league minimum is $850,000 in 2026 to 27. The 2024 to 25 average was $3,817,293. See rookie limits and…
-
What percentage of NHL players are Canadian? 42.3% this season
42.3% of NHL players are Canadian, 306 of 723. Get the answer to what percentage of NHL players are Canadian, plus a free map of every…
-
Oldest NHL player: Brent Burns today, Gordie Howe of all time
Burns, 41, is the oldest active player. Howe, 52, is the oldest ever. See the oldest NHL player list, then test any player against the record.
-
How do the NHL playoffs work? 16 teams, one set bracket
16 teams play four best of seven rounds on a set bracket. Get the answer to how do the NHL playoffs work, with real seeds from…
-
When does NHL free agency start? July 1 at noon ET
NHL free agency opens July 1 at noon ET. Get the answer to when does NHL free agency start, plus 2027 rules, UFA and RFA, and…
-
NHL teams that never won the Stanley Cup: 10 of 32 are still waiting
NHL teams that never won the Stanley Cup: Buffalo, Vancouver, Columbus, Minnesota, Nashville, Ottawa, San Jose, Seattle, Utah and Winnipeg. See each wait.
-
How many games in an NHL season? 84 for each team, up from 82
Each NHL team plays 84 games in 2026 to 27, up from 82. Get the answer to how many games in an NHL season, with the…
-
Most Stanley Cups by team: Montreal has 24, and why some pages say 23
Most Stanley Cups by team: Montreal has 24, Toronto 13 and Detroit 11. See all 22 Cup winners ranked, and why some pages show 23, with…
-
NHL team wheel: spin a random team, then see its facts
Spin the NHL team wheel to land on 1 of 32 teams. Each spin has a 1 in 32 chance. See the team’s division, country, Cup…
-
NHL trade deadline 2027: Monday, March 1 at 3 p.m. ET
The NHL trade deadline is Monday, March 1, 2027, at 3 p.m. ET. See what changes after 3 p.m. and who can still play in the…
-
How many rounds are in hockey? 4 in the playoffs, 7 in the draft
The NHL playoffs have 4 rounds, the NHL Draft has 7 and a shootout has 3. Get the answer to how many rounds are in hockey,…
-
When does the NHL season end? April 10, 2027, and the dates after
The NHL regular season ends April 10, 2027, and the playoffs start April 13. Get the answer to when does the NHL season end, with the…