Editor's note: This story has been updated to the current status for the 2024 Edmonton Oilers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had the best record of the Canadian division in the NHL in 2021. The Montréal Canadiens won what each of those Canadian teams wanted in the beginning of the season: winning the Canadian division in the playoffs.
The Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal but no Canadian team has won the Cup since 1993. Being the best Canadian NHL team isn't much for bragging rights. For fun, we thought to look at which Canadian team did the best in the seasons since the 2004-2005 NHL lockout.
| Year | Team | Playoff run |
| 2006 | Edmonton | Stanley Cup final |
| 2007 | Ottawa | Stanley Cup final |
| 2008 | Montréal | Conference semifinal |
| 2009 | Vancouver | Conference semifinal |
| 2010 | Montréal | Conference final |
| 2011 | Vancouver | Stanley Cup final |
| 2012 | Ottawa | Conference quarterfinal (3 games) |
| 2013 | Ottawa | Conference semifinal |
| 2014 | Montréal | Conference final |
| 2015 | Montréal | Conference semifinal (2 games) |
| 2016 | Ottawa | Regular season (85 points) |
| 2017 | Ottawa | Conference final |
| 2018 | Winnipeg | Conference final |
| 2019 | Toronto | Conference quarterfinal (3 games) |
| 2020 | Vancouver | Conference semifinal |
| 2021 | Montréal | Stanley Cup final |
| 2022 | Edmonton | Conference final |
| 2023 | Edmonton | Conference semifinal (6 games) |
| 2024 | Edmonton | Stanley Cup final |
The Ottawa Senators and Montréal Canadiens would have 5 Canadian titles in that time. Edmonton would now have 4 titles, including the last 3 years. Vancouver would have had 2 titles. Winnipeg and Toronto would have a single title. The Calgary Flames would have qualified in 2004, reaching the Stanley Cup final.
After the 2023 season, there have been 4 Stanley Cup finals, including the 2021 Montréal Canadiens, and 5 other conference finals reached by Canadian teams.
Tiebreakers were determined with the most number of playoff games won in that round and, with 2016, the most regular season points when no Canadian team qualified for the playoffs.
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Was trying to think of a NHL player who played for a bunch of Canadian teams. Dion Phaneuf came to mind since he is Canadian and played for Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa. Unless we have a better entry, we will unofficially call that the Phaneuf award.
We still like the idea of the Phaneuf award though we should mention that Tyler Toffoli is still active, still Canadian, and has played for 4 Canadian franchises. Toffoli was traded to Winnipeg in 2024 and has also played for Calgary, Montréal, and Vancouver.
We know the Canadian division is not returning for the regular season. Can honestly say this made the NHL a lot more fun for this reporter.
photo credit: NHL
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