If you follow the EIHL and want to take the next step into the NHL, choosing a team is your first decision. Unlike supporting a local football club, there's no geographical obligation - you're free to pick any of the 32 NHL teams. But with so many options, where do you start? This guide helps UK ice hockey fans find their perfect NHL team based on playing style, championship contention, British connections, and practical viewing considerations.
Quick Answer
For EIHL fans who love physical hockey, the Boston Bruins or Florida Panthers play a similar style at the highest level. For pure entertainment, the Edmonton Oilers (Connor McDavid, the best player in the world) or Colorado Avalanche offer spectacular skill. For historic prestige, any Original Six team (Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Rangers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens) connects you to hockey's deepest traditions.
Popular NHL Teams in the UK
Before diving into specific recommendations, here's which NHL teams already have significant UK followings. Supporting a popular team means more people to discuss games with and games more likely to appear on UK broadcasts.
| Team | Why Popular in UK |
|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Commonwealth connection, massive fanbase, always on TV |
| Boston Bruins | Original Six prestige, physical style familiar to EIHL fans |
| New York Rangers | Madison Square Garden mystique, city recognition |
| Montreal Canadiens | Most successful franchise in history (24 Cups) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Sidney Crosby era, three recent Cups |
| Edmonton Oilers | Connor McDavid (best player in the world), Wayne Gretzky legacy |
| Florida Panthers | Back-to-back Stanley Cup champions (2024, 2025) |
Key insight: Canadian teams have natural UK appeal through Commonwealth connections, while Original Six teams benefit from historic prestige. Recent championship success (Panthers, Avalanche) and generational stars (McDavid) also drive UK fandom.
From EIHL to NHL
If you already follow British ice hockey through the Elite Ice Hockey League, you have a head start in appreciating the NHL. The EIHL's playing style actually aligns well with North American hockey.
Style Similarities
Unlike much of European hockey which emphasises finesse and skating, the EIHL plays a physical, hard-nosed style with fighting - similar to North American leagues. This makes the transition to watching NHL more natural for EIHL fans than for those coming from Swedish or Finnish hockey.
EIHL-to-NHL Matchups by Style
| If You Like... | Try This NHL Team |
|---|---|
| Belfast Giants (physical, hard-working) | Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers |
| Sheffield Steelers (skilled, attacking) | Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Cardiff Devils (balanced, disciplined) | Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars |
| Nottingham Panthers (historic, passionate fanbase) | Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings |
| Coventry Blaze (fast-paced, exciting) | Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs |
NHL Players Who've Played EIHL
During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, several NHL players joined EIHL teams: Matt Beleskey, Paul Bissonnette, Drew Miller, and Anthony Stewart all played in Britain. More recently, Stanley Cup champion Milan Lucic, plus David Booth and Brett Ritchie have featured in the EIHL.
Choose by Playing Style
Different NHL teams play distinctly different hockey. Here's how to match your preferences:
Speed and Skill
If you want fast, skilled, high-scoring hockey:
- Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid is the fastest, most skilled player on the planet. Leon Draisaitl adds elite scoring. Pure entertainment.
- Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon's speed is devastating. The Avs play beautiful, fast hockey.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews is a goal-scoring machine. Exciting offensive team.
Physical, Hard-Nosed Hockey
If you love the EIHL's physical style:
- Boston Bruins: Traditional physical hockey. "Big Bad Bruins" culture endures.
- Florida Panthers: Champions built on physicality and team defence. Playoff hockey every night.
- New York Rangers: Physical defensive structure with skill up front.
Defensive Excellence
If you appreciate tight, tactical games:
- Carolina Hurricanes: Elite defensive system, aggressive forechecking, well-coached.
- Dallas Stars: Stingy defence, structured game, playoff-tested.
- New Jersey Devils: Rising team with elite goaltending and defensive depth.
Current Stanley Cup Contenders
If you want to follow a team with realistic championship hopes in 2026:
Colorado Avalanche (Current Favourite)
The Avs have emerged as the clear Stanley Cup favourite this season, with only one regulation loss through their first 20 games.
- Star: Nathan MacKinnon - elite speed and skill
- Style: Fast, skilled, overwhelming offence
- History: Won the Cup in 2022, perennial contender
- Why choose: Potential dynasty, beautiful hockey
Florida Panthers (Back-to-Back Champions)
Going for a three-peat after winning in 2024 and 2025. Championship culture established.
- Stars: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart
- Style: Physical, relentless, never-quit mentality
- Why choose: Proven winners, exciting underdog-to-champion story
- Caution: Might be seen as "bandwagon" choice
Carolina Hurricanes
Consistently among the NHL's best teams with elite coaching and system.
- Stars: Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov
- Style: High-tempo, aggressive forechecking, suffocating defence
- Why choose: Modern hockey done right, fantastic team culture
Tampa Bay Lightning
Championship core still intact from back-to-back Cups in 2020 and 2021.
- Stars: Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Andrei Vasilevskiy
- Style: Skilled, experienced, clutch performers
- History: Three Finals in four years (2020, 2021, 2022)
- Why choose: Proven winners with championship DNA
Rebuilding Teams (Long-Term Investment)
Some fans prefer to follow a team from the ground up. The emotional payoff when they eventually succeed feels greater:
San Jose Sharks
Surprising everyone with a playoff push, led by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini.
- Young star: Macklin Celebrini - the 2024 #1 overall pick
- Why choose: Ground-floor opportunity with a potential franchise player
- The appeal: Following a generational talent's development
Anaheim Ducks
Young talent maturing under legendary coach Joel Quenneville.
- Young talent: Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Trevor Zegras
- Why choose: Exciting youth movement, storied franchise
- History: 2007 Stanley Cup champions
Chicago Blackhawks
Rebuilding after a dynasty decade (three Cups: 2010, 2013, 2015).
- Young star: Connor Bedard - 2023 #1 overall pick
- Why choose: Original Six prestige, passionate fanbase, generational talent
- The appeal: Following Bedard's development into a superstar
The Original Six
If history and tradition matter to you, the NHL's six oldest teams offer unmatched prestige:
| Team | Stanley Cups | Current State |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 24 (most ever) | Rebuilding with young talent |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 | Contender (no Cup since 1967) |
| Detroit Red Wings | 11 | Rebuilding |
| Boston Bruins | 6 | Contender |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 6 | Rebuilding around Bedard |
| New York Rangers | 4 | Contender |
The Toronto angle: The Maple Leafs are arguably the most tortured franchise in hockey - 13 Cups but none since 1967. Supporting them means passion, heartbreak, and the eventual euphoria of ending the drought. Plus, as a Canadian team with Commonwealth ties, they feel familiar to UK fans.
British Players in the NHL
British representation in the NHL is extremely rare, but there are notable connections:
Current/Recent British Connections
- Liam Kirk: Sheffield Steelers product, became the first English-born and trained player to be drafted by an NHL team when the Arizona Coyotes selected him in 2018 (189th overall). Signed an entry-level contract in 2021.
- Owen Sherry: From Wigan, drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 Draft.
- Nathan Walker: Born in Wales, raised in Australia. Has played for Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues across multiple NHL seasons.
Historic British NHL Players
- Tony Hand: Widely considered the best British player ever, drafted by Edmonton Oilers in 1986 but never played in the NHL (chose to stay in Britain).
Reality check: Following a team based on British players isn't really viable in the NHL. British hockey development lags behind, though grassroots programmes are improving.
UK Viewing Considerations
NHL games are scheduled for North American audiences, meaning late nights for UK fans. But team location affects timing:
Eastern Conference (Earlier UK Times)
Games typically start 11pm-1am UK time:
- Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, New York Islanders
- Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes
- Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators
- Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Washington Capitals, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings
Western Conference (Later UK Times)
Games typically start 2am-4am UK time:
- Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks (Pacific time = 3-4am UK)
- Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken (Pacific time)
- Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild (Central time = 2-3am UK)
Viewing Time Tip
If viewing times matter, choose an Eastern Conference team. Their home games start around 11pm-midnight UK time rather than 3-4am for Pacific teams. A Bruins or Panthers fan has a much easier schedule than an Oilers or Kings fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NHL team is most popular in the UK?
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins are among the most popular NHL teams in the UK, along with the New York Rangers. Canadian teams have natural appeal for Commonwealth fans, while Original Six teams benefit from historic prestige. Recent success has made the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche popular with newer fans.
Are there any British players in the NHL?
British NHL players are rare. Liam Kirk from Sheffield became the first English-born and trained player drafted to the NHL (Arizona, 2018). Owen Sherry (Wigan) was selected by Toronto in 2024. Nathan Walker (born Wales, raised Australia) has played multiple NHL seasons.
Should I support the same city in NHL as my EIHL team?
There's no direct city link between EIHL and NHL, but you can match playing styles. If you love Belfast Giants' physical hockey, consider Boston Bruins or Florida Panthers. If you enjoy Sheffield Steelers' skill-based game, try Colorado Avalanche or Tampa Bay Lightning.
Which NHL teams have the best viewing times for UK fans?
Eastern Conference teams (Rangers, Bruins, Panthers, Maple Leafs) typically start at 11pm-1am UK time. Western Conference teams (Oilers, Canucks, Kings) often don't start until 3-4am. Canadian teams in the Eastern timezone offer the best balance.
What's the best NHL team for a complete beginner?
For beginners, consider teams with exciting superstars. The Edmonton Oilers (Connor McDavid, the best player alive), Colorado Avalanche (Nathan MacKinnon's speed), or Florida Panthers (back-to-back champions) all offer entertaining, high-level hockey that's easy to appreciate.
What's the difference between NHL and EIHL hockey?
The NHL is the world's premier ice hockey league with the best players globally. The EIHL is Britain's top league, featuring players typically from the ECHL and AHL (NHL feeder leagues). Both leagues share a physical playing style compared to finesse-focused European leagues, making the EIHL a good gateway to NHL fandom.
Final Thoughts
There's no wrong answer when choosing an NHL team. Some fans pick based on a player they love, others based on team colours, city appeal, or a single game that captivated them. If you already follow the EIHL, you understand hockey's appeal - the NHL is simply that same sport played at the highest level on earth.
If you're truly undecided, try this: watch a few games across different teams and see who draws you in. Maybe it's McDavid making defenders look foolish, maybe it's the Panthers grinding out a playoff-style 2-1 win, maybe it's the Maple Leafs' passionate (and tortured) fanbase. The team that makes you want to stay up until 2am is probably your team.
And remember: you can follow the EIHL and NHL simultaneously. Nothing stops you watching Sheffield Steelers on a Saturday night and catching Oilers highlights the next morning. British ice hockey and the NHL complement each other perfectly.