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The NHL still makes something out of the “Original Six” franchises. Decades ago, there were only six teams in the NHL. Now, not when the league began, mind you. However, after the loss of a couple teams, the New York Americans and the Montreal Maroons, there were only six teams, and six it remained for decades. This ended with the 1967-68 season, when six more teams were added. This is when “The six teams in the NHL” became known as “The Original Six.” These are all iconic franchises, but how are their team names in terms of quality? Here is a ranking of the six team names.
6. Chicago Blackhawks
There is, of course, something of a polarizing nature to this name as is. However, when the team was founded, it was named after an infantry division during World War I that was itself named after Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. Then, of course, they put a dude in a headdress on the logo, and that muddied the waters. Regardless, it’s just not much of a team name. It doesn’t evoke anything, save for maybe Black Hawk Down now, and that’s also not a good connotation. We aren’t finger wagging, per se, but we also aren’t enthusiastic by any means.
5. New York Rangers
“New York Rangers” rolls off the tongue, but what is a Ranger in this context? With the Texas Rangers, we get it. New York doesn’t have the same “Ranger” history, though. They get points for how it sounds, and for being somewhat different, but if a team were founded now, we don’t envision them being named the Rangers, and that deducts points.
4. Montreal Canadiens
The specificity of the spelling is kind of a negative to us, but also the Habs are deeply indebted to the culture of Quebec, so we won’t quibble too much. Then again, if you are going to be so very French Canadian, it’s a little bold to then call yourself the Canadiens. Also, while Canucks has some panache to it, Canadiens is an old-school name, but not the kind that really still pops. Some old team names, like the Boston Red Sox, still work. The Canadiens is totally fine, but by no means a favorite.
3. Boston Bruins
If not for sports, how many people would have no clue what a bruin is? Be it Boston or UCLA, we know a “bruin” is a brown bear. They could have been the Boston Bears, and that would have been fine. Still alliterative, after all. However, Bruins has some style to it. You may wonder what a Bruin is, but when you find out, it sticks with you. It doesn’t feel silly. You don’t think, “Why not just the Bears?” It’s a good team name.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
Grammar be damned, the Toronto Maple Leafs make it work. They did what the Canadiens somewhat failed to do. They represent Canada through the maple leaf, the image on the country’s flag. There is a history of teams named after trees, but leaves? It works! Plus, a name like Maple Leafs is required to balance out Toronto as a city name. Toronto Bruins, for example, wouldn’t work nearly as well.
1. Detroit Red Wings
One of the best names in sports, all things considered. What’s a red wing? Well, it’s a red wing. It’s right there on the logo! It has a color in it, a classic old-school team name thing. Wings evoke speed and aerodynamics, especially in the context of a sports team. The whole package is just so strong. Also, you can just call them the Wings, and having nicknames on your nickname is a positive as well.
