Nashville expanding non-traditional markets’ NHL footprint

The Nashville Predators became the latest non-traditional market franchise to advance to a conference final when they defeated the St. Louis Blues, four games to two, in the Western Conference semifinals last week.

The Predators, Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets are the only three non-traditional market teams to have never played in a Stanley Cup Final, but the Predators could put more pressure on the Coyotes with a win over the Anaheim Ducks or Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. The Ducks and Oilers play Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal series Wednesday night in Anaheim. The Coyotes have missed the playoffs the last five seasons, the third longest drought in the NHL behind Carolina (8) and Buffalo (6).

The definition of “non-traditional” varies, but for our purposes we excluded the Los Angeles Kings both because they have been around since 1967 (50 years is more than enough time to establish a market) and because they play in the second largest media market in the league. We have also excluded the Colorado Avalanche because Denver had thriving youth and college hockey scenes before the Avalanche arrived in 1995.

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights will join this list next season.

Here is a snapshot of the existing eight non-traditional-market teams. Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina have all won Stanley Cups. Dallas has the best overall record and the most division titles (8), San Jose has the most playoff appearances (18), and Dallas, Anaheim and San Jose have all appeared in four conference finals.

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Anaheim Ducks

First season: 1993-94
Division titles: 6
Playoff appearances: 13
Stanley Cups: 1
Cup Final appearances: 2
Conference finals appearances: 4
Playoff series record: 15-11
All-time regular season record (W-L-T-OT): 819-686-107-126

Arizona Coyotes

First season (in current market): 1996-97
Division titles: 1
Playoff appearances: 8
Stanley Cups: None
Cup Final appearances: None
Conference finals appearances: 1
Playoff series record: 2-8
All-time regular season record: 704-677-94-131

Carolina Hurricanes

First season (in current market): 1997-98
Division titles: 3
Playoff appearances: 5
Stanley Cups: 1
Cup Final appearances: 2
Conference finals appearances: 3
Playoff series record: 9-4
All-time regular season record: 671-624-86-143

Columbus Blue Jackets

First season: 2000-01
Division titles: 0
Playoff appearances: 3
Stanley Cups: None
Cup Final appearances: None
Conference finals appearances: None
Playoff series record: 0-3
All-time regular season record: 535-589-33-122

Dallas Stars

First season (in current market): 1993-94
Division titles: 8
Playoff appearances: 14
Stanley Cups: 1
Cup Final appearances: 2
Conference finals appearances: 4
Playoff series record: 15-13
All-time regular season record: 939-631-125-125

Florida Panthers

First season: 1993-94
Division titles: 2
Playoff appearances: 5
Stanley Cups: None
Cup Final appearances: 1
Conference finals appearances: 1
Playoff series record: 3-5
All-time regular season record: 737-768-142-173

Nashville Predators

First season: 1998-99
Division titles: 0
Playoff appearances: 10
Stanley Cups: None
Cup Final appearances: None
Conference finals appearances: 1
Playoff series record: 5-9
All-time regular season record: 686-560-60-136

San Jose Sharks

First season: 1991-92
Division titles: 6
Playoff appearances: 18
Stanley Cups: None
Cup Final appearances: 1
Conference finals appearances: 4
Playoff series record: 17-18
All-time regular season record: 929-802-121-131

Tampa Bay Lightning

First season: 1992-93
Division titles: 2
Playoff appearances: 9
Stanley Cups: 1
Cup Final appearances: 2
Conference finals appearances: 4
Playoff series record: 12-8
All-time regular season record: 790-870-112-132

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