Top 10 Canadian NHL Teams of All Time

Canada's most passionately followed team won 13 Stanley Cups before the modern era, though their long championship drought only intensifies the devotion of Leafs Nation. Maple Leaf Gardens was the sport's spiritual home.

Wayne Gretzky's Oilers were the most entertaining team in hockey history, winning four Cups in five years with a goal-scoring philosophy that rewrote the game. Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey made it a dynasty for the ages.

The Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup victory — fuelled by Lanny McDonald's retirement tour and Al MacInnis's cannon of a slap shot — remains the greatest moment in Albertan sports history. Joe Nieuwendyk's playoff performance was historic.

Though never champions, the Canucks' consecutive Finals appearances with the Smyl-era team in '82 and the Bure-Messier squad in '94 produced legendary Canadian playoff runs. The 1994 run is considered one of sport's greatest near-misses.

The rebuilt Senators of the early 2000s — Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley, and Emery — produced one of Canada's most electrifying regular-season teams before the 2007 Finals appearance. Alfredsson is still the face of the franchise.

The return of hockey to Winnipeg produced a ferocious team built on Patrik Laine's shooting and Kyle Connor's skill. Whiteout playoff home games at Canada Life Centre created one of hockey's best atmospheres.

The original Nordiques and their legendary rivalry with the Canadiens defined Quebec hockey before relocation to Colorado. The Stastny brothers and Peter Forsberg's arrival (via the Lindros trade) bookend their proud short history.

The precursors to the Maple Leafs were founding members of the NHL and produced early Cup winners that established Canada's hockey culture in the professional era. The 1918 Toronto Arenas were the NHL's first champions.

Hamilton's original NHL franchise produced playoff contenders before a legendary player strike led to the team's dissolution and sale to New York. The Tigers remain the symbol of hockey's early labour movement.

Canada's most passionately followed team won 13 Stanley Cups before the modern era, though their long championship drought only intensifies the devotion of Leafs Nation. Maple Leaf Gardens was the sport's spiritual home.

Wayne Gretzky's Oilers were the most entertaining team in hockey history, winning four Cups in five years with a goal-scoring philosophy that rewrote the game. Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey made it a dynasty for the ages.

The Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup victory — fuelled by Lanny McDonald's retirement tour and Al MacInnis's cannon of a slap shot — remains the greatest moment in Albertan sports history. Joe Nieuwendyk's playoff performance was historic.

Though never champions, the Canucks' consecutive Finals appearances with the Smyl-era team in '82 and the Bure-Messier squad in '94 produced legendary Canadian playoff runs. The 1994 run is considered one of sport's greatest near-misses.

The rebuilt Senators of the early 2000s — Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley, and Emery — produced one of Canada's most electrifying regular-season teams before the 2007 Finals appearance. Alfredsson is still the face of the franchise.

The return of hockey to Winnipeg produced a ferocious team built on Patrik Laine's shooting and Kyle Connor's skill. Whiteout playoff home games at Canada Life Centre created one of hockey's best atmospheres.

The original Nordiques and their legendary rivalry with the Canadiens defined Quebec hockey before relocation to Colorado. The Stastny brothers and Peter Forsberg's arrival (via the Lindros trade) bookend their proud short history.

The precursors to the Maple Leafs were founding members of the NHL and produced early Cup winners that established Canada's hockey culture in the professional era. The 1918 Toronto Arenas were the NHL's first champions.

Hamilton's original NHL franchise produced playoff contenders before a legendary player strike led to the team's dissolution and sale to New York. The Tigers remain the symbol of hockey's early labour movement.