NHL Expansion Teams Trivia (Vegas, Seattle, etc.)
NHL expansion tells the story of hockey's growth from six teams to 32, spreading the sport across North America and into non-traditional markets. From the 1967 doubling to Vegas's instant success and Seattle's arrival, expansion creates instant rivalries, tests new markets, and reshapes the league constantly. This trivia covers expansion drafts, inaugural seasons, relocations, and the teams that changed NHL geography.
Recent Expansion
Q: In which season did the Vegas Golden Knights join the NHL?
A: 2017-18.
Q: In which season did the Seattle Kraken join the NHL?
A: 2021-22.
Q: Which team did Vegas defeat in the Western Conference Final during its inaugural season?
A: The Winnipeg Jets.
Q: Which team did Vegas face in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final?
A: The Washington Capitals.
Q: Which goalie was the face of the Golden Knights' 2017 expansion draft class?
A: Marc-André Fleury.
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Q: Who scored the first goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history?
A: Ryan Donato.
Q: Which team did Seattle defeat in its first ever playoff series win in 2023?
A: The Colorado Avalanche, the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Q: Which former Blue Jackets coach led the Kraken to their first playoff appearance?
A: Dave Hakstol.
Arenas & Details
Q: What is the official name of Vegas's home arena?
A: T-Mobile Arena.
Q: What is the official name of Seattle's home arena?
A: Climate Pledge Arena.
Q: Which division did Vegas join when they entered the league?
A: The Pacific Division.
Q: Which division did Seattle join at launch?
A: The Pacific Division.
Read more: All 32 NHL Teams Ranked by Offense (2025-2026 Season)
Expansion Records
Q: Which expansion team set a record by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season?
A: The Vegas Golden Knights.
Q: Which expansion team reached the second round in just its second season, upsetting the defending Cup champion?
A: The Seattle Kraken.
Q: Which Vegas forward scored the franchise's first regular-season hat trick?
A: William Karlsson.
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Leadership & Captains
Q: Which player was named the first captain in Vegas Golden Knights history?
A: Mark Stone.
Q: Which player was named the first captain in Seattle Kraken history?
A: Mark Giordano.
Historical Expansion
Q: Which team was the last NHL expansion franchise before Vegas, arriving in 2000-01?
A: The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets (twin expansions).
Q: Which two teams joined the NHL in the 1990s as part of the Sunbelt push and now play in Florida?
A: The Florida Panthers (1993) and Tampa Bay Lightning (1992).
Q: Which expansion franchise joined in 1991 and plays in Northern California?
A: The San Jose Sharks.
Q: Which 1992 expansion team plays in the Canadian capital city?
A: The Ottawa Senators (re-established).
Read more: Hockey Terms to Know for Online Betting (NHL)
Relocations
Q: Which former NHL market relocated to become the current Arizona Coyotes?
A: The original Winnipeg Jets.
Q: Which franchise relocated from Atlanta to become the present-day Calgary Flames?
A: The Atlanta Flames.
Q: Which franchise relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg in 2011, becoming the "new" Jets?
A: The Atlanta Thrashers.
Q: In which city did the NHL place a team in 1972 that later became the Carolina Hurricanes?
A: Hartford, Connecticut (Hartford Whalers, originally Boston/New England).
Q: Which 1967 expansion team later moved to become the Dallas Stars?
A: The Minnesota North Stars.
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League Size
Q: How many teams were in the NHL immediately before Seattle joined?
A: 31 teams.
Q: How many teams are in the NHL after Seattle's addition?
A: 32 teams.
Why Expansion Matters
Expansion teams test new markets, create instant rivalries, and prove hockey can succeed anywhere. Vegas showed that non-traditional markets can support winners immediately. Seattle demonstrated sustained interest in the Pacific Northwest. Every expansion reshapes divisions, creates new storylines, and gives more players NHL opportunities.
The Vegas Effect
Vegas changed expansion forever. Previous expansion teams were stocked with castoffs and struggled for years. Vegas got better expansion draft rules, made smart selections, and reached the Final immediately. Their success raised expectations for future expansion teams and proved instant competitiveness was possible.
Future Expansion
The NHL may add more teams. Houston, Quebec City, and other markets want franchises. Understanding expansion history helps predict where the league goes next and what those teams might look like based on past patterns.
Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season
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