2023–24 NHL season

2023–24 NHL season was the 107th season of operation for the National Hockey League. The regular season commenced on October 10, 2023, and concluded on April 18, 2024, with all 32 teams playing an 82-game schedule. The Stanley Cup playoffs culminated in the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game Stanley Cup Finals, capturing the first championship in franchise history. The season was highlighted by historic individual performances, including a record-setting campaign by Connor McDavid and the debut of top prospect Connor Bedard.

Regular season

The regular season schedule featured the inaugural 2023 NHL Global Series games in Stockholm, Sweden, with participants including the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The New York Rangers captured the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team, finishing with 114 points. Offensive production surged league-wide, with the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche leading the charge, powered by Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov. The Chicago Blackhawks, led by rookie Connor Bedard, and the San Jose Sharks occupied the league's basement, positioning themselves for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Playoffs

The Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 20, 2024, under a format where the top three teams in each division and two wild-card teams per conference qualified. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers to secure their second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance. The Western Conference saw the Edmonton Oilers overcome the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars, led by the historic postseason play of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Stanley Cup Finals saw the Panthers defeat the Oilers in seven games, with Connor McDavid winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP despite being on the losing team.

Standings and statistics

The New York Rangers led the league with 114 points, followed closely by the Dallas Stars (113) and Carolina Hurricanes (111). Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Art Ross Trophy with 144 points, while Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored 69 goals to capture the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender. The Edmonton Oilers set a modern-era record with a 16-game winning streak from December to January, a run orchestrated by coach Kris Knoblauch after the dismissal of Jay Woodcroft.

Milestones and notable events

Connor McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to record 100 assists in a single season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals continued his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, finishing the season with 853 career tallies. The Utah Hockey Club played its final season as the Arizona Coyotes before relocating to Salt Lake City, with the NHL Board of Governors approving the sale to Ryan Smith. Connor Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year despite missing significant time with a fractured jaw.

Offseason and transactions

Key offseason moves included the Pittsburgh Penguins acquiring Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team trade also involving the Montreal Canadiens. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed center John Tavares to a contract extension and traded for defenseman Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames at the deadline. The 2023 NHL Entry Draft was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with the Chicago Blackhawks selecting Connor Bedard first overall. Coaching changes included the Edmonton Oilers hiring Kris Knoblauch to replace Jay Woodcroft and the New York Rangers appointing Peter Laviolette to succeed Gerard Gallant.

Category:2023–24 NHL season Category:National Hockey League seasons