Since the 1990s, which is the most successful expansion team in the NHL?...and why?

Question

San Jose Sharks
Ottawa Sens
Tampa Bay Lightning
Florida Panthers
Anaheim Ducks (no longer Mighty)
Atlanta Thrashers
Nashville Preds
Columbus Blue Jackets
Minnesota Wild

Answer 1

Here are some winning percentages excluding ties of the expansion teams
San Jose Sharks- 43%
Ottawa Senators- 47%
TB Lightning- 40%
Florida Panthers- 44%
Anaheim Ducks- 45%
Atlanta Thrashers- 36%
Nashville Predators- 45%
Columbus Blue Jackets- 37%
Minnesota Wild- 45%

I would say that the Ottawa Senators are the most successful, they are in Canada which means probably better attendance, also a presidents trophy and soon possibly a stanley cup, keeping in mind the newer expansion teams are just developing into good teams and minnesota is on the rise

Answer 2

Well, Tampa Bay is the only team to have won a cup. Although both Florida, and Anaheim have been to finals

I am going to immediately rule out Columbus as they have never made the playoffs and haven't even had a record over .500. Although the Thrashers are doing good this season, it is to young so say they are good and I am going to rule them out as they haven't made the playoffs either although they have been close.

Minnesota has only made the playoffs once and they made it to the conference finals but they haven't been able to repeat that feat yet.

Nashville has done well, and for the last 2 years made the playoffs, they are steadily improving but I don't think they are there yet.

The Ducks have made the playoffs 4 times in 12 tries and have lost in the conference finals and the finals once. They are doing good again this year.

Now, the sharks have made the playoffs 9 out of 12 times although they have only made it to the conference semifinals once.

After missing the playoffs for the first 4 years the Sens have made them for the last 9 years, pretty good although they too have only made the conference finals once.

The lighting are the only team int his group to win a cup but they haven't done much other than that, as they have only gotten past the regular season 4 times.

And the Panthers made it to the final in their third year but haven't done very much since then so not them.

I am going to have to say, it is between the Sharks, Sens and Lightning (only because they have won a cup). Now Ottawa has had its share of trouble with poor attendance and its inability to produce in the playoffs. While the Sharks have been recently selling out although they haven't had any great success in the playoffs yet.. and The Lightning haven't done well even though they won the cup.

So I am going to go with the Sens however as being the most successful team on that list.

Answer 3

Well if u mean win wise tampa bay won a cup but if u mean advances id say the once mighty ducks although thte new name spoils it. I live in maine an Portland Pirates are Duck's AHL team and I was pissed when I found out the mighty ducks changed there name, anyway there it is

Answer 4

Minnesota Wild with a .491 winning percentage. (At the end of the 2005-06 season)

Tampa Bay Lightning are the only expansion team of that era to win the Stanley Cup.

Answer 5

Define successful....Since 1996 Ottawa has never finsihed lower than third in their conference. If Stanly Cup means anything then Tampa Bay wins out. If you are looking since 2000 the sharks have had four seasons of at least 95 points.

again define successful.

Answer 6

all together it will go to the Sens even though the Lightning have won the Stanley cup none of the others have been as dominate as the Sens. even though the Sens where terrible at there first 5 years.

childhood>>>> i hope your talking about the teams listed above about the capacity cause there not even close to the Montreal Canadiens Bell Centre.
1- Sens
2- Lighning
3- Sharks
4- Minnesota
5- Anaheim
6- Nashville
7- Thrashers
8- Panthers
9- Blue Jackets

GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 7

Well, in the '90s I would have to say the Sens. But more recently, it would have to be the Sharks, the Ducks, the Preds, and the Wild. The Preds and Wild can become dynasty if they keep up their pace. Same with the Ducks and Sharks, but they have had recent success in the past.

Answer 8

Hmmm hard to pick. Don't think that Columbus or Minnesota really could be there as they haven't had time to compete. Sharks seem to be good, so maybe you could argue them. Tampa Bay has won a cup so maybe there is an arguement there.

Answer 9

All have become great teams with the exception of Florida, Nashville and Columbus. But the most successful is probably Ottawa.

Answer 10

minnesota. they have the highest arena caacity of all teams. in effect that is the definition of success. while tampa bay is selling out as well, they won it after one of the most horrendoz 5 years starts to any nhl team ever, and there is no reason to suspect the ning fandom would survive its next playoff missing season.

the primary job of any expansion team is to effectively build a fan base. tampa wasn't even close to matching that criteria.

the sens were long term dreadfull to, and a drafting nightmare, however as a candian team they enjoyed more immediate fan attention, and i would put them #2 .

third would be the preds, knowing what their fan base was the issued a playoff moneyback promise and have been the best expansion team on your list to plot a LONG term, low cost team improvement plan and matched with a plan to grow and keep fans.