List of NHL Seasons - Current Era

Current Era

Further information: History of the National Hockey League (1992–present)

In 1993, coinciding with the naming of Gary Bettman as commissioner, the league re-organized into the Eastern and Western Conferences, with two divisions each, organized along geographical lines. The playoff format was changed to provide conference champions without divisional playoff champions. A new round of expansion began. By 2000–01, the number of teams increased to 30 and the number of divisions increased to six. This era has seen two seasons where the seasons were changed due to labour disputes between the NHL and the players' union. The 1994–95 season was shortened to just 48 games, and the 2004–05 season's games were cancelled entirely. According to the 2011 NHL Guide and Record Book, the NHL includes the 2004–05 season in its count of seasons. For example, the 2011 NHL Guide lists the Tampa Bay Lightning as entering their 19th 'NHL Season', although a count of the Lightning's seasons of play would determine the 2010–11 season to be their 18th season of play.

No. Season Playoffs Finals No. of
teams		 Reg. season
games		 Start
 Finish
 Top record Champion
76 1992–93 1993 1993 24 84 October 6 June 9 Pittsburgh Penguins Montreal Canadiens
77 1993–94 1994 1994 26 84 October 5 June 14 New York Rangers New York Rangers
78 1994–95 1995 1995 26 48 January 20 June 24 Detroit Red Wings New Jersey Devils
79 1995–96 1996 1996 26 82 October 6 June 10 Detroit Red Wings Colorado Avalanche
80 1996–97 1997 1997 26 82 October 4 June 7 Colorado Avalanche Detroit Red Wings
81 1997–98 1998 1998 26 82 October 1 June 16 Dallas Stars Detroit Red Wings
82 1998–99 1999 1999 27 82 October 9 June 19 Dallas Stars Dallas Stars
83 1999–2000 2000 2000 28 82 October 1 June 10 St. Louis Blues New Jersey Devils
84 2000–01 2001 2001 30 82 October 4 June 9 Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche
85 2001–02 2002 2002 30 82 October 3 June 13 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings
86 2002–03 2003 2003 30 82 October 9 June 9 Ottawa Senators New Jersey Devils
87 2003–04 2004 2004 30 82 October 8 June 7 Detroit Red Wings Tampa Bay Lightning
88 2004–05 Season's games canceled due to lockout
89 2005–06 2006 2006 30 82 October 5 June 19 Detroit Red Wings Carolina Hurricanes
90 2006–07 2007 2007 30 82 October 4 June 6 Buffalo Sabres Anaheim Ducks
91 2007–08 2008 2008 30 82 September 29 June 4 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings
92 2008–09 2009 2009 30 82 October 4 June 12 San Jose Sharks Pittsburgh Penguins
93 2009–10 2010 2010 30 82 October 1 June 9 Washington Capitals Chicago Blackhawks
94 2010–11 2011 2011 30 82 October 7 June 15 Vancouver Canucks Boston Bruins
95 2011–12 2012 2012 30 82 October 6 June 11 Vancouver Canucks Los Angeles Kings
96 2012–13 Contingent upon adoption of new collective bargaining agreement
Notes
^ 22. Ottawa Senators (revived team) and Tampa Bay Lightning started play.
^ 23. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Florida Panthers started play.
^ 24. Season shortened due to lockout.
^ 25. Nashville Predators started play.
^ 26. Atlanta Thrashers started play.
^ 27. Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild started play.

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