The Presidents' Trophy is an accolade bestowed by the National Hockey League (NHL) upon the team concluding the regular season with the highest point total, signifying the best overall record. Since its inception in the 1985–86 NHL season, the Presidents' Trophy has been granted 37 times to 18 different teams. In case of a tie in points, the Trophy is awarded to the team with the most regulation wins (RW).
The Presidents' Trophy was introduced at the commencement of the 1985–86 season by the NHL's Board of Governors as a means to recognize the top-performing team in the regular season, often referred to as the regular season championship. Prior to its inception, the team concluding the regular season in first place was entitled to display a banner proclaiming "NHL League Champions."
Eighteen teams have secured the Presidents' Trophy, with the Detroit Red Wings leading the pack with six wins—the highest among all teams. Following closely, the Boston Bruins have earned the trophy four times, while the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Washington Capitals are tied for third place with three victories each. Four teams—Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks—share the distinction of being tied for the fourth most, each winning the Presidents' Trophy twice. Among these multiple winners, Calgary, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Washington have achieved consecutive victories. Notably, Edmonton, Calgary, and Dallas clinched a Stanley Cup along with their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy.
Presidents' Trophy Winner List
The Presidents' Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the best regular-season record, has seen various winners and intriguing trends over the years. The first winner of the Presidents’ Trophy in the NHL was the Edmonton Oilers during the 1985-86 season. The Detroit Red Wings hold the record for the most Presidents' Trophy wins, securing it six times. Following closely, the Boston Bruins and the Dallas Stars have each claimed the trophy three times. The Detroit Red Wings also boast the highest point total in a single regular season, amassing a remarkable 131 points during the 1995-96 season. Interestingly, the Detroit Red Wings also secured the trophy with the fewest points just a season prior to their memorable 1995-96 season, earning 70 points in a shortened season due to the NHL lockout in the 1994-95 season. There have also been instances of teams winning both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. The most recent occurrence happened in 2012-13, when Chicago Blackhawks took home both the honors. Other notable mentions go to Edmonton, Calgary, New York Rangers, Dallas, Colorado, and Boston.
| Year | Winner | Points | Margin | Win # | Playoff result |
| 2022–23 | Boston Bruins | 135 | 22 | 4 | Lost First Round (FLA) |
| 2021–22 | Florida Panthers | 122 | 3 | 1 | Lost Second Round (TBL) |
| 2020–21 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 0 (5 regulation wins) | 3 | Lost Second Round (VGK) |
| 2019–20 | Boston Bruins | 100 | 6 | 3 | Lost Second Round (TBL) |
| 2018–19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 128 | 21 | 1 | Lost First Round (CBJ) |
| 2017–18 | Nashville Predators | 117 | 3 | 1 | Lost Second Round (WPG) |
| 2016–17 | Washington Capitals | 118 | 7 | 3 | Lost Second Round (PIT) |
| 2015–16 | Washington Capitals | 120 | 11 | 2 | Lost Second Round (PIT) |
| 2014–15 | New York Rangers | 113 | 3 | 3 | Lost Conference Finals (TBL) |
| 2013–14 | Boston Bruins | 117 | 1 | 2 | Lost Second Round (MTL) |
| 2012–13 | Chicago Blackhawks | 77 | 5 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 2011–12 | Vancouver Canucks | 111 | 2 | 2 | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (LAK) |
| 2010–11 | Vancouver Canucks | 117 | 10 | 1 | Lost Stanley Cup Finals (BOS) |
| 2009–10 | Washington Capitals | 121 | 8 | 1 | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (MTL) |
| 2008–09 | San Jose Sharks | 117 | 1 | 1 | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (ANA) |
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | 115 | 7 | 6 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 2006–07 | Buffalo Sabres | 113 | 0 (3 wins) | 1 | Lost Conference Finals (OTT) |
| 2005–06 | Detroit Red Wings | 124 | 11 | 5 | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (EDM) |
| 2004–05 | Season cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout | ||||
| 2003–04 | Detroit Red Wings | 109 | 3 | 4 | Lost Conference Semifinals (CGY) |
| 2002–03 | Ottawa Senators | 113 | 2 | 1 | Lost Conference Finals (NJD) |
| 2001–02 | Detroit Red Wings | 116 | 15 | 3 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 2000–01 | Colorado Avalanche | 118 | 7 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 1999–2000 | St. Louis Blues | 114 | 6 | 1 | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (SJS) |
| 1998–99 | Dallas Stars | 114 | 9 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 1997–98 | Dallas Stars | 109 | 2 | 1 | Lost Conference Finals (DET) |
| 1996–97 | Colorado Avalanche | 107 | 3 | 1 | Lost Conference Finals (DET) |
| 1995–96 | Detroit Red Wings | 131 | 27 | 2 | Lost Conference Finals (COL) |
| 1994–95 | Detroit Red Wings | 70 | 5 | 1 | Lost Stanley Cup Finals (NJD) |
| 1993–94 | New York Rangers | 112 | 6 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 1992–93 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 119 | 10 | 1 | Lost Division Finals (NYI) |
| 1991–92 | New York Rangers | 105 | 7 | 1 | Lost Division Finals (PIT) |
| 1990–91 | Chicago Blackhawks | 106 | 1 | 1 | Lost Division Semifinals (MNS) |
| 1989–90 | Boston Bruins | 101 | 2 | 1 | Lost Stanley Cup Finals (EDM) |
| 1988–89 | Calgary Flames | 117 | 2 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 1987–88 | Calgary Flames | 105 | 2 | 1 | Lost Division Finals (EDM) |
| 1986–87 | Edmonton Oilers | 106 | 6 | 2 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 1985–86 | Edmonton Oilers | 119 | 9 | 1 | Lost Division Finals (CGY) |
FAQ's on Presidents' Trophy Winners
A. The Presidents' Trophy is awarded by the NHL to the team with the highest regular-season points total, representing the best overall record. It has been awarded since the 1985–86 season.
A. The Detroit Red Wings lead with six Presidents' Trophy wins, while the Boston Bruins follow closely with four victories.
A. The Detroit Red Wings boast the highest point total in a single season, amassing an impressive 131 points during the 1995-96 season.
A. Yes, the most recent team to achieve this feat was the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2012-13 season. Other notable mentions go to Edmonton, Calgary, New York Rangers, Dallas, Colorado, and Boston.
A. The first winners of the Presidents' trophy were the Edmonton Oilers in the 1985-86 season.
