Each team can have 23 players on contract. Of those 23 players, 20 can dress for a game including 18 skaters and 2 goalies. Typically a team will have 13-14 forwards, 7-8 defense, and 2 goalies on their 23 man roster.
How many NHL teams are there?
There are currently 31 NHL teams including 7 in Canada and 24 in the United States. There are two major conferences. The Eastern Conference is made up of two divisions; the Atlantic and Metropolitan. The Western Conference is also made up of two divisions; the Central and Pacific.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Metropolitan
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Western Conference
Central
Arizona Coyotes
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
Pacific
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Kraken
Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights
Fun Facts about NHL Teams
The Pittsburgh Penguins once scored 5 goals in 2 minutes and 7 seconds.
The entire 2004-2005 hockey season was shut down due to a labor dispute between the players and the owners.
The Montreal Canadiens have the most Stanley Cup titles with 24.
Since 2007 the NHL season has started in Europe. Some places they have played include Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Finland.
The Canadiens beat the Senators 7-4 in the first NHL game.
When the Montreal Arena burnt down in 1918, the league went a year with only three teams.
The Boston Bruins were the first American team in the NHL. They joined in 1924.
The Canadiens won five straight Stanley Cup titles between 1956 and 1960.
Wayne Gretzky played one year for a rival league, the WHA, before the league collapsed and he joined the Oilers.
Wayne Gretzky was the last player to have the three year waiting period waved to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.
