Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division:
Boston Bruins: Named for the bear, which represents strength and resilience.
Buffalo Sabres: Reflects the naval and military history of Buffalo.
Detroit Red Wings: Named for the distinctive winged wheel logo.
Florida Panthers: Named for the Florida panther, a symbol of the state's wildlife.
Montreal Canadiens: Named for the French-Canadian population in Montreal and their strong connection to the sport.
Ottawa Senators: Named to honor the political and governmental history of Ottawa.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Reflects the frequent lightning storms in Tampa Bay.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Originally "Arenas" and then "St. Patricks" before becoming the "Maple Leafs," to symbolize Canada's national symbol, the maple leaf.
Eastern Conference - Metropolitan Division:
Carolina Hurricanes: Named to reflect the frequent hurricanes in the region.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Named for the Union Army's blue coats in the American Civil War.
New Jersey Devils: Named for the mythical "Jersey Devil," a creature from local folklore.
New York Islanders: Reflects the island location of the team.
New York Rangers: Named for the team's location and connection to Madison Square Garden.
Philadelphia Flyers: Reflects the speed and agility of the team and the aviation history of Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Named for the flightless penguin, chosen through a fan contest in the team's early years.
Washington Capitals: Named to honor the political and governmental significance of Washington, D.C.
Western Conference - Central Division:
Chicago Blackhawks: Named for Chief Black Hawk, a Native American leader.
Colorado Avalanche: Reflects the danger of avalanches in the Rocky Mountains.
Dallas Stars: Named for the lone star of Texas.
Minnesota Wild: Named for the region's natural beauty and the abundance of wildlife.
Nashville Predators: Named for the region's connection to country music and the symbol of the sabertooth tiger.
St. Louis Blues: Named for the musical genre, the blues.
Winnipeg Jets: Originally an homage to the Winnipeg Jets team that moved to Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to Winnipeg in 2011.
Western Conference - Pacific Division:
Anaheim Ducks: Originally the "Mighty Ducks of Anaheim," named for the Disney movie franchise.
Arizona Coyotes: Named for the coyote, a common animal in the region.
Calgary Flames: Named for the Calgary Flames in Alberta's oil and gas industry.
Edmonton Oilers: Named for the Edmonton Oilers' connection to the oil and gas industry.
Los Angeles Kings: Reflects the prestige and royalty of Los Angeles.
San Jose Sharks: Named for the frequent shark sightings along the California coast.
Seattle Kraken: Seattle's a city with a deep maritime history and the name embodies a connection with the sea and a curiosity of what lies beneath it.
Vancouver Canucks: A Canadian term for a person, often used affectionately, with a nod to the diversity of the city.
Check out the other sport name rationale:
For more details on all the teams (outside of the Kraken) check out NHL.com.
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