Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Leafs, struck the most lucrative arena naming rights deal in the NHL in the past year, providing the boost needed to pass the Canadiens. Scotiabank agreed to pay MLSE $640 million over the next 20 years in the deal. Forbes values the Maple Leafs at $1.4 billion, slightly ahead of the Canadiens who are valued at $1.25 billion.
The Rangers, whose valuation jumped 20 percent from 2016, sit atop the Forbes list at $1.5 billion. According to the respected business magazine, the Rangers generated $246 million in revenue, most in the league. Their operating revenue of $94 million also topped every other team in the NHL.
The Top Five rounds out with the Chicago Blackhawks ($1 billion) and Boston Bruins ($890 million), meaning five of the league’s esteemed Original Six franchises held the top spots on the Forbes list. The other Original Six franchise, the Detroit Red Wings, rank ninth at $700 million. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are right behind, ranked tenth at $650 million.
The least valuable franchise is the Arizona Coyotes, with a valuation of $300 million.
In Canada, the Vancouver Canucks also landed in the Top Ten, ranking eighth at $730 million.
Here are the values of all 31 NHL teams in 2017, according to Forbes:
