Some moments in NHL history are remembered for what happened. Others are remembered for what almost happened.
A single moment can change the course of a franchise, reshape careers and even alter the direction of the league itself. Some of these moments were over in an instant, while others unfolded over months or even years. Either way, they left fans wondering how different the NHL might look today if just one thing had gone another way.
It’s impossible to know how things would have played out, but that’s part of what makes these “what if” scenarios so fascinating. From blockbuster trades that nearly fell through to careers forever changed by injuries, these are some of the biggest “What Ifs” in NHL history and the alternate realities hockey fans still can’t help but wonder about.
What if the NHL Never Expanded Beyond the Original Six?
It’s hard to imagine today’s NHL with just six teams, but that was reality until the league’s landmark expansion in 1967. If the Original Six era had continued, hockey would look dramatically different.
For one thing, the quality of play would be off the charts. With only six rosters to crack, the league’s top talent would be concentrated on a handful of teams, making every lineup loaded with elite players. Competition for a roster spot would be fiercer than ever, and simply making it to the NHL would be an even greater accomplishment.
On the other hand, millions of fans may never have had a hometown team to cheer for. Cities like Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Las Vegas wouldn’t have experienced the excitement of playoff runs, Stanley Cup celebrations or watching local legends become franchise icons. The NHL might have showcased incredible talent, but its reach and popularity would almost certainly have been far smaller.
What if Wayne Gretzky Was Never Traded to the Los Angeles Kings?
Few moments have changed the NHL more than Wayne Gretzky’s shocking trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988. While the move sent shockwaves through Canada, it also helped transform hockey in the United States.
Had Gretzky stayed in Edmonton, the Oilers may have added even more Stanley Cups to their dynasty. Already one of the league’s most dominant teams, keeping the greatest player in history could have extended their reign well into the 1990s.
The bigger impact, however, may have been felt off the ice. Gretzky became the face of hockey in California, helping spark a surge in popularity that paved the way for the San Jose, Anaheim and other non-traditional markets to thrive. Without “The Great One” in Los Angeles, the NHL’s expansion into the American Sun Belt may have unfolded very differently.
What if Mike Bossy’s Career Wasn’t Cut Short?
Few players in NHL history scored goals as effortlessly as Mike Bossy. A cornerstone of the New York Islanders’ dynasty, Bossy helped lead the franchise to four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983 while becoming the fastest player to reach 500 career goals. However, chronic back injuries forced him to retire in 1987 at just 30 years old, cutting short one of hockey’s most remarkable careers.
Despite playing only 752 regular-season games, Bossy still finished with an astonishing 573 goals and averaged 0.76 goals per game, the highest mark in NHL history. Had he remained healthy and played into his late 30s like many of the game’s greatest scorers, he likely would have challenged Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record long before Alex Ovechkin.
The Islanders were already one of hockey’s greatest dynasties, but a healthy Bossy could have extended their championship window even further. More importantly, the NHL record book might look very different today, with Bossy’s name sitting atop the all-time goals list instead of Ovechkin’s.
What if Connor McDavid Had Been Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres?
The 2015 NHL Draft featured two franchise-changing prospects in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, and the Buffalo Sabres entered the draft lottery with the best odds of landing the first overall pick. Instead, it was the Edmonton Oilers who won the lottery, selecting McDavid first overall while Buffalo settled for Eichel at No. 2.
While Eichel has gone on to enjoy an outstanding career, it’s impossible not to wonder how different the NHL might look had the ping pong balls bounced Buffalo’s way. McDavid would have become the face of a franchise desperate to turn things around, while Edmonton’s future would have rested in Eichel’s hands.
The ripple effects could have been enormous. Would McDavid have eventually led the Sabres back to contention? Would Eichel have found more success in Edmonton and avoided the frustrations that ultimately led to his departure from Buffalo? One lottery draw changed the course of two franchises, and perhaps the careers of two generational talents.
What if the 2004-05 NHL Season Was Never Cancelled?
The 2004-05 NHL lockout remains one of the darkest chapters in league history. For the first and only time, an entire season was wiped out due to a labour dispute. Without the lockout, one franchise would have added its name to hockey history by winning the Stanley Cup, while countless players would have had the chance to build on career years.
Just as intriguing is the 2005 NHL Draft, where Sidney Crosby landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins following a special lottery. Had a full season been played, the eventual draft order would have looked completely different and Crosby might have spent his Hall of Fame career with another franchise.
Ironically, the lockout also paved the way for the modern NHL. The introduction of the salary cap created greater parity, making it harder for wealthy teams to dominate and giving smaller-market franchises a legitimate shot at competing for the Stanley Cup. Without it, today’s NHL could look vastly different, both on and off the ice.