The NHL has changed dramatically over the years, and comparing stats across different time periods requires breaking the league down into distinct eras based on rule changes, expansion, and shifts in playing style.
Here’s a reasonable breakdown of NHL history into comparable statistical eras:
1. The Pre-Modern Era (1917–1942)
- Key Features: Early, chaotic years; small league (4-10 teams); no forward passing initially; inconsistent record-keeping.
- Statistical Trends: Lower scoring in early years, then a jump in the 1920s when forward passing was introduced.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: The game was completely different—goalies weren’t even allowed to drop to the ice until 1918.
2. The Original Six Era (1942–1967)
- Key Features: Only six teams (BOS, CHI, DET, MTL, NYR, TOR); tighter competition; low-scoring, defense-heavy play.
- Statistical Trends: Goals per game generally between 2.0–3.5 per team; goaltending equipment was primitive.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: Small league, balanced rosters, and long-term rivalries made stats more stable.
3. The Expansion Era (1967–1979)
- Key Features: League doubled from 6 to 12 teams in 1967, then expanded to 21 teams by 1979.
- Statistical Trends: Higher scoring in early expansion years as weaker teams struggled defensively (3.5–4.5 goals per game per team).
- Why It’s Its Own Era: The dilution of talent caused a scoring boom, then settled down toward the late 70s.
4. The High-Scoring 80s & Early 90s (1979–1993)
- Key Features: NHL-WHA merger; offensive explosion led by Gretzky, Lemieux, and offensive-minded systems.
- Statistical Trends: Peak scoring years, with teams averaging 4.0–4.5 goals per game; goaltenders had low save percentages.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: Offensive strategies dominated, goalies had smaller equipment, and defense was less structured.
5. The Dead Puck Era (1993–2005)
- Key Features: Clutch-and-grab defensive systems, larger goalie equipment, the rise of the neutral zone trap.
- Statistical Trends: Scoring plummeted to 2.5–3.0 goals per game; save percentages jumped.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: Defensive play and goaltending tech killed offense—this was the lowest-scoring era since the Original Six.
6. The Post-Lockout Speed Era (2005–2015)
- Key Features: Rule changes (smaller goalie pads, no two-line pass rule, more power plays); faster, more skilled players.
- Statistical Trends: Immediate scoring boost (3.0+ goals per game) post-lockout, but defensive adjustments brought it back down.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: The NHL tried to eliminate the Dead Puck Era, but goalies and defensive structures adjusted quickly.
7. The Analytics & Skill Era (2015–Present)
- Key Features: Analytics-driven coaching; more puck possession focus; youth and speed valued more than ever.
- Statistical Trends: Rising scoring (around 3.0–3.5 goals per game per team); more emphasis on shot quality and high-danger chances.
- Why It’s Its Own Era: The game is faster and more skilled than ever, with a focus on transition and offense.
How to Use These Eras for Stat Comparisons
- If you want to compare goal-scoring across time, comparing the 80s to today isn’t fair—but the 80s to the Expansion Era makes sense.
- Goaltending stats should be grouped in pre-1990 (smaller equipment, worse technique) vs. post-1990 (better equipment, structured defense).
- Power-play success rates from 2005–2015 don’t compare well to 1995–2004, since penalty calling was much higher post-lockout.