Welcome to the theScore's NHL logo countdown. This list examines logos that date back to the inception of the Original Six and includes the main emblem for all 32 current teams, 11 clubs that moved or changed their name, and seven whose logo has undergone a significant redesign. Only the primary ones were considered.
Here are the top 10 logos.
10. Minnesota North Stars
So simple yet so effective. The unique blend of green and yellow is synonymous with the North Stars, and the sharp design still holds up decades after the club's relocation to Dallas as the Stars - who, ironically, could use a new look.
9. St. Louis Blues
If a team's logo stays roughly the same for over 50 years, it means they did something right. Aside from a few wordmarks and color tweaks, the famous "Blue note" has mostly stayed the same since the team's inception in 1967. The logo perfectly captures the jazz and blues scene St. Louis is known for.
8. Montreal Canadiens
One of the oldest and most recognizable logos in all of pro sports, the Canadiens' crest is still one of the best in the league. The red, white, and blue along with the "C" and "H" are so simple but work so well. The logo hasn't changed much since its introduction in 1917, and rightly so.
7. Boston Bruins
The Bruins are the NHL's oldest American team, and while they didn't introduce the spoked B until 25 years into their history, it's become iconic. This logo has only undergone slight changes over the years, and for a good reason. It's a simple yet eye-catching look.
6. Quebec Nordiques
It's not the most thrilling design, but we adore the classic look Quebec rocked before the franchise moved to Denver. The lowercase "N" is extremely '70s, but the fact it forms an igloo is a perfect touch. We always appreciate incorporating a stick and a puck, and the dynamic shades of red and blue tie everything together perfectly. Surely we aren't alone in hoping to see this logo on the ice again one day.
5. Buffalo Sabres
At last, the Sabres have it right again. After multiple redesigns from their original logo, Buffalo finally brought back its first crest this offseason with the proper shade of royal blue - rather than the navy that's diminished the iconic look's luster over recent years. Let's hope this beauty never disappears again.
4. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
This logo is a cult classic for an entire generation of hockey fans. It would likely be criticized if it were released today without a beloved movie franchise attached to it, but the Mighty Ducks' crest is one of the most admired in the sport more than 10 years since Anaheim moved on to its current drab logo and uniform combination.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs logo has varied over the years, but switching to this iconic masterpiece - similar to what the club wore from 1938-63 - for the 2016-17 campaign was definitely the right move. Former team owner Conn Smythe originally gave the franchise the Maple Leafs logo in 1927 to honor the badge worn by Canadian soldiers in World War I.
2. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings' classic look is one of the greatest in all of sports. Not only is the logo a masterpiece aesthetically, but the winged wheel perfectly represents the heart of the Motor City. The timeless design has remained virtually the same since the team adopted its name in 1932, which is a testament to how connected it is to the history of the city and the sport.
1. Hartford Whalers
This logo is so simple yet complex at the same time. The green "W" for Whalers and the blue whale's tail are obvious, but it may require a second glance to realize the negative space between those two makes up the "H" in Hartford. Even though the Whalers relocated to Carolina in 1997, this remains the greatest NHL logo of all time and one of the best in sports history.
