NHL sets its most confusing team history straight, and it’s still pretty confusing

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NHL sets its most confusing team history straight, and it’s still pretty confusing

Fox News · 57 minutes ago

The National Hockey League has consolidated the statistical histories of the original Winnipeg Jets (1970s–1996) with the current Winnipeg Jets (formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, relocated in 1999), resolving decades of confusion about which franchise owns which historical records. This decision addresses a fundamental inconsistency in professional hockey record-keeping, though the solution creates its own oddities.

The consolidation is complex because the original Jets moved to Arizona and became the Coyotes, whilst the current Jets are essentially the relocated Thrashers. Prior to this, Teemu Selanne's legendary 1992–93 rookie season was statistically linked to the Thrashers' records, and Shane Doan's early career with the Jets followed by over 1,400 games with the Coyotes were split across two franchises. The consolidation also affects modern franchise records: Dale Hawerchuk becomes the all-time leader in goals and points for the current Jets, meaning Mark Scheifele must overcome a deficit of seven goals and twenty-two points to reclaim those titles.

  • NHL merged original and current Winnipeg Jets records into one franchise history
  • Creates unusual statistical situations spanning multiple eras and team relocations
  • Current Jets' record chase now starts from 1970s baseline, not 1999

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