The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named after Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is the forerunner of the NHL's Northeast Division, which later became the Atlantic Division.
Division lineups
1974–1976
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres California Golden Seals Toronto Maple Leafs
Changes from the 1973–74 season The Adams Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the East Division The California Golden Seals come from the West Division
1976–1978
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Cleveland Barons Toronto Maple Leafs
Changes from the 1975–76 season The California Golden Seals moved to Richfield, Ohio, to become the Cleveland Barons
1978–1979
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Minnesota North Stars Toronto Maple Leafs
Changes from the 1977–78 season The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota North Stars. The merged franchise continues as the Minnesota North Stars, but leaves the Smythe Division to assume the Barons' place in the Adams Division to prevent the Adams from dropping to only three teams.
1979–1981
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Minnesota North Stars Quebec Nordiques Toronto Maple Leafs
Changes from the 1978–79 season The Quebec Nordiques are granted entry into the NHL from the World Hockey Association (WHA)
1981–1992
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Quebec Nordiques
Changes from the 1980–81 season The Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Norris Division The Hartford Whalers and Montreal Canadiens come from the Norris Division
1992–1993
Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Quebec Nordiques
Changes from the 1991–92 season The Ottawa Senators are added as an expansion team
After the 1992–93 season The league was reformatted into two conferences with two divisions each: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Northeast Division Western Conference Central Division Pacific Division
Season results (#) Denotes team that won the Stanley Cup (#) Denotes team that lost Stanley Cup Final (and since 1981–82 won the Prince of Wales Trophy) (#) Denotes team that qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs‡ Denotes team with most points in the regular season (winner of the Presidents' Trophy since 1985–86)
Season 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th1974–75(DC) Buffalo (113)(2) Boston (94)(8) Toronto (78)California (51)1975–76(DC) Boston (113)(1) Buffalo (105)(4) Toronto (83)California (65)1976–77(DC) Boston (106)(2) Buffalo (104)(5) Toronto (81)Cleveland (63)1977–78(DC) Boston (113)(2) Buffalo (105)(3) Toronto (92)Cleveland (57)1978–79(DC) Boston (100)(4) Buffalo (88)(6) Toronto (81)Minnesota (68)1979–80(2) Buffalo (110)(4) Boston (105)(6) Minnesota (88)(11) Toronto (75)Quebec (61)1980–81(5) Buffalo (99)(8) Boston (87)(9) Minnesota (87)(11) Quebec (78)(16) Toronto (71)1981–82Montreal (109)Boston (96)Buffalo (93)Quebec (82)Hartford (60)1982–83Boston (110)‡Montreal (98)Buffalo (89)Quebec (80)Hartford (45)1983–84Boston (104)Buffalo (103)Quebec (94)Montreal (75)Hartford (66)1984–85Montreal (94)Quebec (91)Buffalo (90)Boston (82)Hartford (69)1985–86 Quebec (92)Montreal (87)Boston (86)Hartford (84)Buffalo (80)1986–87Hartford (93)Montreal (92)Boston (85)Quebec (72)Buffalo (64)1987–88Montreal (103)Boston (94)Buffalo (85)Hartford (77)Quebec (69)1988–89Montreal (115)Boston (88)Buffalo (83)Hartford (79)Quebec (61)1989–90Boston (101)‡Buffalo (98)Montreal (93)Hartford (85)Quebec (31)1990–91Boston (100)Montreal (89)Buffalo (81)Hartford (73)Quebec (46)1991–92Montreal (93)Boston (84)Buffalo (74)Hartford (65)Quebec (52) 1992–93Boston (109)Quebec (104)Montreal (102)Buffalo (86)Hartford (58)Ottawa (24)
Adams Division titles won by team Team Wins Last win Boston Bruins 9 1993 Montreal Canadiens 5 1992 Buffalo Sabres 3 1981 Hartford Whalers 1 1987 Quebec Nordiques 1 1986 California Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons 0 — Minnesota North Stars 0 — Ottawa Senators 0 — Toronto Maple Leafs 0 —
References NHL History