Canadian Teams in the NHL
The NHL is one of the most-watched sports in North America. It is considered to be the premier ice hockey league in the world. The annual trophy, the famous Stanley Cup, is awarded to the playoff champion each year at the end of the season.
In the beginning, the NHL had only four teams, and all were from Canada, which is pretty amazing. The USA started participating in the league after the Boston Bruins joined in 1924. In November 2017, the league added the 31st team to the competition and approved the addition of a 32nd in 2021.
There have been many exciting seasons in the NHL. The end of the 2018/19 season, for example, finished with St. Louis Blues being the champions, after defeating the Boston Bruins 4-3 in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals.
2020 Stanley Cup
There were many predictions in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, as to who will be the winner .If we look at the possible 2020 Stanley Cup Winner, there are a lot of teams that will need to be taken into consideration. Tampa Bay Lightning are the biggest favorites with odds coming at 15/2. Right behind them, we haveBoston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Toronto Maple Leafswith 13/1. Lastly, at the number 5 spot, Colorado Avalanche’s odds are 17/1. The West and the East Conference have an equal chance to be the winning conference, their odds are 9/10.
If you are planning to test your luck and knowledge, make sure you choose the best bookie. Online bookies have certain advantages when it comes to betting. A lot of them offer excellent promo codes, promotions, and even free bets. There are a lot of famous and trustworthy bookies. Bwin Canada is one of the most reputable out there. Apart from the numerous rewards, you have a nice, clear view of every team and their odds, as well as some extra information about them.
The odds for a Canadian team to be the winner of the Stanley Cup are 15/4. On the other side, American teams’ odds are 2/11. And if we look at the divisions, the Atlantic Division’s odds are 11/5. Central Division’s odds are 12/5, the Pacific Division has odds sitting at 11/4, and Metropolitan’s odds are 16/5.
Canadian teams are between the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. And there is no doubt that all of them are excellent. At the moment, there are 7 NHL teams from Canada. Let’s check them out.
Calgary Flames
Based in Calgary, Alberta, the Calgary Flames are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team was firstly founded in Atlanta in 1972, but it was relocated to Calgary in 1980. The Flames have won 2 Presidents’ Trophies and have claimed 7 division championships.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers were founded in 1971 and played their first official match in 1972. They are also members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. After joining the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup 5 times. Even though the team is struggling at the moment, there is no doubt that their history is rich and this is a well-respected team, having received dynasty status by the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are owned by the Molson family. The team is a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. It is fair to mention that the Montreal Canadiens are the longest continuously operating ice hockey team in the world and the only team to predate the founding of the NHL. They have won 25 Stanley Cup championships and if you look at the percentages, the Monreal Canadiens have collected 25% of all championships after the Challenge Cup era.
Ottawa Senators
Based in Ottawa, Ontario, the Ottawa Senators have won 4 division titles, one Presidents’ Trophy and appeared in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost against the Anaheim Ducks. The franchise is owned Eugene Melnyk, and in it valued by the Forbes magazine at $435 million.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Often referred to like the Leafs, the Toronto Maple Leafs was founded in 1917. The team has rivalries with 2 of previously mentioned franchises in this article – the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. The Leafs are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
Vancouver Canucks
Based in Vancouver, British Colombia the Vancouver Canucks are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They joined the NHL in 1970 as an expansion team along with the Buffalo Sabres. The team is a back-to-back winner of the Presidents' Trophy and reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times, but sadly never won it. They are one of the oldest teams in the league to have never won a Stanley Cup.
Winnipeg Jets
By looking at their history, Winnipeg Jets first started as the Atlanta Thrashers. The team held onto the name until 2011 when it was renamed to Winnipeg Jets. They were found in 1999 and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The team is a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference, and as a pretty young franchise, they do not have any big achievements.
