On Wednesday, Moneyline reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs have been named the NHL's most valuable franchise for a fourth consecutive year. The Maple Leafs are valued at $3.66 billion, placing them ahead of the New York Rangers, which are valued at $3.25 billion, and the Montreal Canadiens, valued at $2.93 billion. This valuation signifies the Maple Leafs' continued dominance in the hockey business landscape.

The complete list of the top ten NHL franchises by valuation is as follows: 1) Toronto Maple Leafs: $3.66 billion, 2) New York Rangers: $3.25 billion, 3) Montreal Canadiens: $2.93 billion, 4) Boston Bruins: $2.67 billion, 5) Los Angeles Kings: $2.5 billion, 6) Chicago Blackhawks: $2.45 billion, 7) Edmonton Oilers: $2.4 billion, 8) Philadelphia Flyers: $2.29 billion, 9) Washington Capitals: $1.86 billion, and 10) Detroit Red Wings: $1.85 billion. Notably, every franchise in the NHL is now valued at least $1 billion, a significant milestone highlighted by the Columbus Blue Jackets, which hold the lowest valuation at $1.06 billion.

Additionally, the NHL franchise valuations have shown remarkable growth, with every team experiencing an increase of at least 19 percent from 2023 to 2024. The Utah Hockey Club, formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes, saw the most significant increase, with a league-high valuation growth of 78 percent following its relocation. This transformation lifted the team's valuation from $675 million last year to $1.2 billion, placing them 28th in the NHL. Despite the Maple Leafs' long championship drought, their top ranking in franchise value is unsurprising given their strong presence in Canada's largest market and a competitive roster, featuring star players such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The Leafs have consistently made postseason appearances but have faced challenges in advancing beyond the first round. In contrast, recent playoff success has eluded the Rangers since their last championship in 1994, despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2022 and 2024. Similarly, the Canadiens have not won the Cup since 1993, marking the last time a Canadian team claimed Lord Stanley's trophy. The case of franchise values in the NHL illustrates how financial success does not always correlate with victories on the ice. The Edmonton Oilers achieved a 51 percent valuation increase after competing in the Stanley Cup Final, while the Florida Panthers experienced a 37 percent growth following their championship victory.