The history of the National Hockey League (NHL) is full of exciting teams, dramatic finishes, and big celebrations. But there are also stories of teams that got lost along the way, franchises that changed cities, folded, or merged, and now aren’t around the way they once were.
These forgotten NHL franchises may not be in the spotlight today, but they helped shape the league in important ways.
In this article, we’ll look at three of these teams, how they started, what they struggled with, and how their legacies still matter.
The California Golden Seals (and the Cleveland Barons)
The California Golden Seals are one of the best examples of a franchise that had promise but never really found its footing. The Seals began play in the NHL in the 1967–68 season after the league’s first major expansion.
Origin and Struggles
The franchise started as the San Francisco Seals in the minor-league Western Hockey League before joining the NHL’s 1967 expansion. It became the Oakland Seals, later the California Seals, and finally, in 1970, the California Golden Seals. They were based at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California.
From the start, the Seals had trouble on and off the ice. They never managed a winning record, attendance was consistently poor, and ownership and financial issues were constant problems.
Relocation and End
In 1976, the franchise relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, becoming the Cleveland Barons. The Barons played for two seasons (1976–77 and 1977–78) before merging with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.
This merger ended the Barons’ independent existence, making them the most recent franchise in the NHL, and among the four major North American professional sports leagues, to cease operations entirely rather than relocate.
Lasting Influence
Even though they never won a Stanley Cup or became a powerhouse, the Seals/Barons franchise still matters:
- They were part of the NHL’s first major push into new markets like California, paving the way for future West Coast teams.
- Their struggles highlighted the challenges of building a fan base and financial stability in emerging hockey regions.
- In 2017, the San Jose Sharks honored the Seals with a 50-year tribute, acknowledging the Bay Area’s first NHL team.
While the franchise didn’t survive, its story offers lasting lessons about expansion, market choice, and the business of professional sports.
The Kansas City Scouts to Colorado Rockies to New Jersey Devils Chain
This franchise’s journey is a fascinating one: a team that began in one city, moved twice, and evolved into a very different organization.
Start in Kansas City
The Kansas City Scouts were granted as an NHL expansion franchise in 1972 and began play in the 1974–75 season. They played at Kemper Arena and shared the local sports market with the NBA’s Kansas City–Omaha Kings.
The Scouts struggled immediately, finishing their inaugural season with a record of 15–54–11 (41 points). Attendance was low, and finances were unstable.
Moves and Evolution
After only two seasons (1974–75 and 1975–76), the franchise was sold and relocated to Denver, Colorado, becoming the Colorado Rockies beginning in 1976. Six years later, in 1982, the team moved again—this time to East Rutherford, New Jersey—and was renamed the New Jersey Devils.
Over time, the Devils grew into one of the NHL’s most successful and stable franchises, winning multiple Stanley Cups and establishing a strong identity.
Lasting Influence
This franchise’s long road shows how fragile early expansion teams could be—and how much stable ownership, modern arenas, and consistent fan support matter. It also demonstrates that a franchise’s identity can shift dramatically in geography, name, and culture, yet still evolve into something strong and lasting.
The path from Kansas City to New Jersey reminds fans that even today’s well-established teams often have hidden histories of reinvention.
The Quebec Nordiques to Colorado Avalanche Story
While the first two examples involved teams that disappeared, this one features a team that relocated, but left a powerful legacy.
Background
The Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979 as one of four teams absorbed from the World Hockey Association (WHA). They played in Quebec City until 1995, where they were beloved by fans and made the NHL playoffs nine times before moving.
Relocation and new success
In 1995, the Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche immediately thrived, winning the Stanley Cup in their first season (1995–96). The move reflected the realities of the time: Quebec was a smaller market with significant financial and currency challenges, while Denver offered a larger arena and corporate base.
For the franchise, relocation ensured financial stability and long-term competitiveness.
Lasting influence
The Nordiques’ move helped transform the Avalanche into a major NHL franchise and set a precedent for how relocations can balance business needs with competitive success. For Quebec and Canadian hockey fans, the Nordiques remain a cherished memory, and their departure continues to shape discussions about market size, fan loyalty, and the economics of professional sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What counts as a “forgotten” NHL franchise?
A: A “forgotten” franchise refers to a team that no longer exists in the same city or under the same name—one that relocated, merged, or folded so completely that many modern fans may not even realize it existed.
Q2: Why do NHL teams relocate or fold?
A: Common reasons include weak financial performance, poor attendance, outdated arenas, limited market support, competition from other sports, economic pressures (such as currency issues in Canadian markets), and unstable ownership. The examples above illustrate all of these challenges.
Q3: Do the records of a relocated team carry over to the new team?
A: Yes. A franchise’s records, player statistics, and history typically transfer with the organization, even after relocation or rebranding.
For instance, the Kansas City Scouts franchise evolved into the New Jersey Devils, and the Quebec Nordiques’ history continued with the Colorado Avalanche.
Q4: Do any of these forgotten teams still have a legacy today?
A: Absolutely. Their impact remains visible through:
- Lessons the NHL learned about which markets succeed or struggle.
- Throwback jerseys, tributes, and nostalgic branding.
- Later franchises in similar regions (e.g., the Seals paving the way for the Sharks).
- A broader understanding of how economics, fan culture, and geography shape professional sports.
Q5: Are there any teams that have completely ceased to exist (not just moved)?
A: Yes. The Cleveland Barons merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978 and ceased to exist as a separate entity.
This remains the most recent example of an NHL—and Big-Four North American—franchise that folded completely instead of relocating.
Conclusion
- The NHL’s history isn’t only defined by championship dynasties, but also by the teams that struggled, relocated, or disappeared.
- Forgotten franchises like the California Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons, Kansas City Scouts, and Quebec Nordiques reveal key lessons about markets, fan bases, financial stability, and team identity.
- Although these teams have faded from public attention, their influence continues to shape the league today.
- Each played an important role in the evolution of the modern NHL through their successes, failures, and the challenges they faced.
- Remembering these teams isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about learning from history to ensure the future of professional hockey remains richer, stronger, and more resilient.
Read More
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- Unforgettable Olympic Hockey Moments For Team USA
- The Rise of International Players in MLB
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
