NHL Presidents’ Trophy Winners by Year: A Comprehensive History
The NHL Presidents’ Trophy is awarded annually to the team that finishes the regular season with the best overall record, marking them as the league’s top-performing squad during the long grind of the regular schedule. Since its introduction in the 1985-86 NHL season, the Presidents’ Trophy has become one of the most prestigious team awards, recognizing excellence, consistency, and dominance over the course of the 82-game campaign.
In this article, we will explore the history of the Presidents’ Trophy, provide a year-by-year list of winners, analyze trends and notable teams, and discuss the significance of the trophy in the context of NHL history.
What is the Presidents’ Trophy?
The Presidents’ Trophy was introduced for the 1985-86 NHL season to honor the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. Points are awarded as follows: two points for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. This trophy rewards sustained excellence and consistency.
The trophy is named in honor of the NHL’s Board of Governors (essentially the “presidents” of the teams) and symbolizes regular-season supremacy. It also guarantees home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, which can be a significant factor in postseason success.
Historical Context Before the Trophy
Before the Presidents’ Trophy was established, the team finishing first overall in the NHL regular season was recognized but without a formal trophy. These top regular-season teams were often regarded as favorites heading into the playoffs, but the award itself gave a new level of prestige and incentive to finishing atop the standings.
Year-by-Year Presidents’ Trophy Winners
Here is a detailed list of Presidents’ Trophy winners since the trophy’s inception, alongside their points total and a brief note on their performance that season.
1985-86: Edmonton Oilers — 119 points
The inaugural winner, the Edmonton Oilers, showcased the dominant dynasty led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Their 119 points reflected an era of offensive brilliance.
1986-87: Philadelphia Flyers — 106 points
The Flyers led the league with grit and determination, powered by players like Ron Hextall and Tim Kerr.
1987-88: Edmonton Oilers — 119 points
The Oilers once again proved their dominance, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy for the second time.
1988-89: Calgary Flames — 117 points
The Flames were a powerhouse in the late 1980s, boasting stars like Joe Nieuwendyk and Al MacInnis.
1989-90: Boston Bruins — 101 points
Led by Ray Bourque and Cam Neely, the Bruins topped the NHL in a more balanced, defensive season.
1990-91: Pittsburgh Penguins — 106 points
The Penguins, featuring Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, were on the rise, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy before winning their first Stanley Cup.
1991-92: Chicago Blackhawks — 102 points
Chicago’s top regular-season finish highlighted their emergence as a consistent contender.
1992-93: Pittsburgh Penguins — 119 points
Lemieux and co. had another exceptional season, once again leading the NHL.
1993-94: New York Rangers — 112 points
The Rangers dominated the regular season and famously ended their Stanley Cup drought by winning the Cup this year.
1994-95: Detroit Red Wings — 70 points (lockout-shortened season)
The Red Wings led the NHL in a shortened season, setting the stage for their 1997 and 1998 Cup victories.
1995-96: Colorado Avalanche — 109 points
In their first season after relocating from Quebec, the Avalanche topped the standings and won the Stanley Cup.
1996-97: Dallas Stars — 114 points
The Stars led the league during their rise to become a defensive powerhouse.
1997-98: Dallas Stars — 109 points
The Stars repeated their strong regular-season performance.
1998-99: Dallas Stars — 114 points
The Stars won the Presidents’ Trophy and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
1999-00: St. Louis Blues — 114 points
The Blues led the NHL with a high-scoring lineup.
2000-01: Detroit Red Wings — 116 points
The Red Wings reasserted their dominance in the new millennium.
2001-02: Detroit Red Wings — 116 points
Back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies underscored their consistency.
2002-03: Ottawa Senators — 113 points
The Senators finished with the best record but fell short in the playoffs.
2003-04: Detroit Red Wings — 109 points
The Wings once again topped the standings.
2004-05: Season cancelled (NHL lockout)
2005-06: Detroit Red Wings — 124 points
The Wings recorded the highest points total in NHL history at the time.
2006-07: Buffalo Sabres — 113 points
Led by Ryan Miller and Daniel Brière, the Sabres finished first but were upset in the playoffs.
2007-08: Detroit Red Wings — 115 points
Another dominant Red Wings season.
2008-09: San Jose Sharks — 117 points
The Sharks had one of their best seasons but fell short in the playoffs.
2009-10: Washington Capitals — 121 points
Led by Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals set a new record for most goals in a season.
2010-11: Vancouver Canucks — 117 points
The Canucks captured the Presidents’ Trophy but lost in the Stanley Cup Final.
2011-12: Vancouver Canucks — 111 points
Back-to-back regular-season titles for Vancouver.
2012-13: Chicago Blackhawks — 77 points (lockout-shortened season)
The Blackhawks led the league in a shortened season and won the Stanley Cup.
2013-14: Boston Bruins — 117 points
Led by Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask, the Bruins had a strong season.
2014-15: New York Rangers — 113 points
The Rangers finished first but were eliminated early in the playoffs.
2015-16: Washington Capitals — 120 points
Ovechkin and the Capitals had an explosive season but did not win the Cup.
2016-17: Washington Capitals — 118 points
Another dominant Capitals season.
2017-18: Tampa Bay Lightning — 113 points
The Lightning had a strong regular season but were ousted in the playoffs.
2018-19: Tampa Bay Lightning — 128 points
The Lightning set a franchise record and went to the Stanley Cup Final.
2019-20: Boston Bruins — 100 points (season shortened due to COVID-19)
The Bruins topped the league in a season disrupted by the pandemic.
2020-21: Colorado Avalanche — 82 points (shortened season)
The Avalanche led their division in a pandemic-impacted season.
2021-22: Florida Panthers — 122 points
Florida finished atop the league, showcasing their young core.
2022-23: Boston Bruins — 135 points
The Bruins set a new record for most points in a season, the highest ever in NHL history.
Analysis and Trends
Teams with the Most Presidents’ Trophies
- Detroit Red Wings: 6 times
- Boston Bruins: 4 times
- Washington Capitals: 3 times
- Dallas Stars: 3 times
- Vancouver Canucks: 2 times
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 2 times
The Red Wings clearly dominated the Presidents’ Trophy era with sustained excellence during the 1990s and 2000s.
Presidents’ Trophy and Stanley Cup Correlation
Interestingly, winning the Presidents’ Trophy does not guarantee playoff success. Only a handful of Presidents’ Trophy winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup in the same season. Notable examples include:
- Edmonton Oilers (1987-88)
- New York Rangers (1993-94)
- Colorado Avalanche (1995-96)
- Dallas Stars (1998-99)
- Chicago Blackhawks (2012-13)
This trend has fueled the notion of the “Presidents’ Trophy curse,” where the top regular-season team faces heightened expectations and pressure but often falls short in the playoffs.
Significance of the Presidents’ Trophy
The trophy symbolizes regular-season dominance and grants home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, a crucial factor in postseason success. It is often used as a benchmark for consistency, skill, and team depth.
While it does not guarantee ultimate success, winning the Presidents’ Trophy is a testament to a team’s excellence over the grueling NHL schedule and is a coveted honor among franchises.
The NHL Presidents’ Trophy winners list reads like a who’s who of hockey greatness. From dynasties like the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers to recent powerhouses like the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, the trophy highlights those who have mastered the regular season’s challenges.
Although the Presidents’ Trophy is sometimes seen as a harbinger of playoff disappointment, its importance cannot be overstated. It rewards consistency, resilience, and excellence — qualities essential to any championship contender.
As the NHL evolves and new teams rise, the Presidents’ Trophy will continue to be a benchmark for regular-season success, reminding fans and players alike of the hard work required to reach the pinnacle of hockey performance.
