Seth Rorabaugh of Empty Netters points out via Twitter that today’s cancellation of games through December 30th means that more NHL games have been cancelled under Commissioner Gary Bettman than have been played by nearly a third of the league’s current franchises.
Nine current NHL franchises have played fewer regular season games than Gary Bettman has canceled (2,224).
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) December 10, 2012
The Sharks (1608), Bolts, Sens (1528), Ducks, Panthers (1444), Preds (1066), Jets/Thrashers (984) Jackets and Wild (902).
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) December 10, 2012
Obviously, that’s the nine most recently-added franchises. If you break it down by team (in other words, starting over when a relocation takes place), thirteen of the existing teams have played fewer games than the league has cancelled (the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Carolina Hurricanes are added to Rorabaugh’s list). Overall, though?
Counting every time a team relocated to a new market as a new team (in other words, the Red Wings are the same team as the Detroit Cougars and Detroit Falcons, but the Phoenix Coyotes are one team despite their “move” to suburban Glendale, and the Brooklyn Americans never left Madison Square Garden so they’re the same as the New York Americans), the NHL has had 49 total teams.
As previously stated thirteen of those (San Jose, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, Dallas, Anaheim, Florida, Colorado, Phoenix, Carolina, Nashville, Columbus, Minnesota and Winnipeg) have played fewer than 2224 regular season games. The former teams that fit the bill?
Every single one of them. Here’s the breakdown.
| Team | GP |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Flames | 636 |
| Atlanta Thrashers | 902 |
| California / Oakland (Golden) Seals | 698 |
| Cleveland Barons | 160 |
| Colorado Rockies | 480 |
| Hamilton Tigers | 126 |
| Hartford Whalers | 1420 |
| Kansas City Scouts | 160 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 2062 |
| Montreal Maroons | 622 |
| Montreal Wanderers | 6 |
| New York Americans | 784 |
| Ottawa Senators (I) | 446 |
| Philadelphia Quakers | 44 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 212 |
| Quebec Bulldogs | 24 |
| Quebec Nordiques | 1256 |
| St. Louis Eagles | 48 |
| Winnipeg Jets (I) | 1338 |
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