In the world of professional hockey, the phrase Original Six carries special meaning for fans, announcers, and writers. These six NHL teams have histories deeply tied to the identity and traditions of the league. Even though the NHL now has 32 teams, the Original Six still carries weight and importance for fans and the sport itself.
They represent legacy, rivalries, stability, and a window into how the NHL has grown over time. This article shows why the Original Six still matter today, not just as old names, but as living symbols in the league. We’ll look at their history, their impact, and why they continue to matter in the modern NHL.
The History of the Original Six Era
To understand why these teams matter today, we must first know how the “Original Six” concept developed.
What Does “Original Six” Mean?
The term Original Six doesn’t mean these were the first six teams ever in pro hockey. It refers to the six teams that made up the entire NHL from 1942 until the league expanded in 1967. In 1942, the Brooklyn Americans stopped operating, leaving only six clubs.
That six-team stretch lasted 25 seasons and ended with the NHL’s 1967 expansion.
Who are the Original Six?
The six teams are:
- Montreal Canadiens
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Boston Bruins
- New York Rangers
- Detroit Red Wings
- Chicago Blackhawks
Each franchise has its own founding story. Montreal’s roots extend back before the NHL. Toronto’s franchise began in 1917 and became the Maple Leafs in 1927. Boston, the first U.S. team, joined in 1924. The Rangers, Blackhawks, and Red Wings joined in the 1920s as the league expanded into U.S. markets.
During the Original Six years, these teams played each other very often, which created intense rivalries and many memorable playoff battles. That long period of stability is why many of the NHL’s traditions, stories, and identities are connected to these clubs.
Why the Original Six Still Matter Today
There are several overlapping reasons why these teams remain important: legacy and continuity, rivalries, brand strength, and the fact that they symbolize the NHL’s evolution.
Legacy and Continuity
One major reason the Original Six matter is continuity. They connect past generations to the present. Seeing the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, and the rest is like seeing a living link to hockey’s past. For many fans, supporting one of these teams means belonging to a decades-long story of legends, rivalries, and lore.
Because these franchises survived eras when other teams folded or relocated, they also represent stability in a sport where change is common. That endurance gives their fan bases a deep sense of tradition.
Intense Rivalries and Matchups
Because these teams played each other for decades, many rivalries were born, rivalries that still matter. Montreal vs. Toronto remains a major Canadian rivalry with national overtones; Detroit vs. Chicago is a classic Midwestern matchup; and Boston has long histories of conflict with both Montreal and Toronto.
When two Original Six teams meet, fans and media often treat it like an event with built-in storylines and stakes. That narrative weight keeps interest high.
Brand, Market, and Fan Base
The Original Six clubs have strong, well-known brands. Their names, logos, and histories are deeply entrenched, which helps commercially: merchandise, broadcast attention, and media coverage often favor these teams. Many are in large hockey markets, such as Montreal, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Boston, where the fan bases are stable and passionate.
That translates into revenue, media exposure, and staying power.
Symbol of the NHL’s Evolution
The Original Six also act as a symbol of how the NHL has grown. The league is larger, more global, and more diverse now, but the Original Six remind fans of the game’s roots.
They show how franchises had to adapt, from old-style scouting and local recruiting to modern analytics, salary caps, and international rosters. Their histories help tell the story of the sport’s evolution.
Challenges and Criticisms Concerning the Original Six
While the Original Six are important, they’re not without controversy or challenges.
Competition from Newer Teams
Newer franchises, for example, the Edmonton Oilers or Pittsburgh Penguins, have built powerful legacies and multiple championships. That shows that being “original” doesn’t guarantee ongoing dominance.
In recent decades, many non-Original Six clubs have been highly successful, which complicates any notion that the Original Six are automatically the elite.
Staying Relevant in the Modern NHL
Some Original Six teams have struggled in modern eras. Expansion, salary caps, free agency, and analytics changed the game, and teams had to adapt. When an Original Six team underperforms, the weight of tradition can feel like pressure; fans often expect sustained excellence, and criticism can be harsher when a storied team falls short.
Myth vs. Reality
Part of the Original Six mystique is storytelling. The label became common after the 1967 expansion to distinguish the old guard from new teams. That framing can sometimes gloss over earlier franchises that folded or moved before 1942.
In short, some of the power of the Original Six is historical fact, and some of it is how history has been packaged and told.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why are they called the “Original Six” if they weren’t the first six teams?
A1: The term refers to the six teams that made up the NHL from 1942 to 1967 after other teams had folded or left. People started using “Original Six” after the 1967 expansion to distinguish these long-standing franchises from the newcomers.
Q2: Which teams are the Original Six?
A2: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Q3: Which Original Six team has won the most Stanley Cups?
A3: The Montreal Canadiens have won the most Stanley Cups — 24 championships, the highest total of any NHL franchise.
Q4: Do Original Six teams still win championships in the modern era?
A4: Yes. Several Original Six clubs have won Stanley Cups in recent decades, though many newer franchises have also captured titles. The modern NHL shows that both old and newer teams can reach the top.
Q5: Are Original Six matchups more important than games between newer teams?
A5: Emotionally and narratively, many fans and the media treat Original Six matchups as special because of history and rivalry. But in standings and playoff math, all games count the same under NHL rules.
Q6: Did the Original Six teams always keep the same names?
A6: Not exactly. Some franchises had earlier names or reorganizations. For example, Toronto’s hockey franchise started as the Arenas, later became the St. Patricks, and then the Maple Leafs. But the six names we use today have been in place for many decades.
Q7: Have all the Original Six teams made the playoffs in recent years?
A7: Not always. In 2025, all four U.S.-based Original Six teams — the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers- missed the playoffs in the same season for the first time in NHL history. That shows that even the most storied franchises are vulnerable in today’s competitive NHL.
Conclusion
- The Original Six are more than just old team names; they’re pillars of tradition and history.
- They serve as symbols of continuity that connect generations of hockey fans.
- These teams anchor some of the fiercest and oldest rivalries in the NHL.
- They represent powerful brands that define the identity of the league.
- The Original Six connect the NHL’s past to its present, giving the league a rich sense of heritage.
- Even as the league grows and evolves, these teams continue to attract massive interest and loyalty.
- Their successes and struggles become important chapters in hockey’s ongoing story.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
