NHL has parity like no other league - 04-26-12
With the Boston Bruins' season coming to an end last night, there will once again be a different Stanley Cup champion. The NHL has not had a repeat winner since the Red Wings pulled off the trick in 1997 and 1998.
While parity was present in the NHL prior 2004-05 lockout which brought a salary cap, the advent of the cap has only increased it unlike any of the other major sports leagues in North America.
In the six full seasons since the lockout, the NHL has had six different champions. The NFL, NBA and Major League Basebacll have each had at one two-time champion since that span
Over the past six full seasons for each sports league, the NHL has had the most teams appear in a championship final/game:
| League (Different teams) |
Teams | Appearances |
| NHL (10) |
Penguins Red Wings Blackhawks Bruins Canucks Ducks Flyers Hurricanes Oilers Senators |
2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |
| MLB (9) |
Cardinals Phillies Rangers Giants Rays Red Sox Rockies Tigers Yankees |
2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 |
| NFL (8) |
Colts Giants Patriots Steelers Bears Cardinals Packers Saints |
2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 |
| NBA (7) |
Lakers Celtics Heat Mavericks Cavaliers Magic Spurs |
3 2 2 2 1 1 1 |
(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
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