League: NHL Sport: Hockey Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

The Sporting News lists the 20 greatest NHL teams of all time

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 3:06 PM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

The Sporting News lists the 20 greatest NHL teams of all time

Summary

The Sporting News has released a ranking of the 20 greatest NHL teams of all time as part of their 140th anniversary celebration. The list includes legendary squads such as the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers, and 1982-83 New York Islanders. Each team's era is represented by one selected roster to highlight their historical significance. The 1976-77 Canadiens are featured at the top of the list, supported by numerous awards won by players such as Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson. This retrospective aims to honor the achievements of these iconic teams in the NHL.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•The 1976-77 Canadiens dominated with 60 wins in 80 games
•The 1983-84 Oilers ended the Islanders' dynasty
•The 1982-83 Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups
•The 1955-56 Canadiens had multiple Hall of Fame players
•The 1951-52 Red Wings featured Gordie Howe and Terry Sawchuk

Latest Updates

3:06 PMYahoo Sports — SN 140: All-time All-NHL team with best players in hockey history
12:00 PMYahoo Sports — SN 140: The 20 greatest NHL teams of all time

What they're saying

"
As we celebrate The Sporting News’ 140th anniversary, we take a look at the greatest individual seasons of 21 NHL players and make a roster with them.
— Yahoo Sports