The New York Rangers have widened the gap atop the annual list of the NHL’s most valuable teams.
According to Forbes, the Rangers’ franchise value has risen four percent in the last year to $1.25 billion. Meanwhile, the NHL’s second-most valuable team, the Montreal Canadiens, fell five percent to $1.12 billion, and the third-most valuable, the Toronto Maple Leafs, fell four percent to $1.1 billion. The Chicago Blackhawks ($925M) and Boston Bruins ($800M) rounded out the top five.
In terms of percentage gains, the Florida Panthers made the biggest jump; their franchise value rose 25 percent to $235 million, thanks in large part to help from Broward County.
The Vancouver Canucks, meanwhile, fell the most -- six percent, to $700 million -- as they missed the playoffs for the second time in three years and attendance declined.
The NHL’s least valuable team is the Carolina Hurricanes, at an estimated $230 million.
Last year’s rankings: Rangers surpass the Leafs, become NHL’s most valuable franchise