1996-97 NHL Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Detroit Red Wings finished on top with 26 of 26 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Detroit Red Wings 26 (100.0%)

Play with the NHL Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

How NHL Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+26
in a single day (1997-04-20)
Longest Reign
22
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
93
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−26
lost in one day (1997-05-02)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Miami Arena

32 days led peak 26 +70 taken

Joe Louis Arena

27 days led peak 26 +64 taken

Pittsburgh Civic Arena

22 days led peak 20 +30 taken

Madison Square Garden

20 days led peak 26 +91 taken

CoreStates Center

17 days led peak 26 +93 taken

Scotiabank Saddledome

15 days led peak 26 +33 taken

Edmonton Coliseum

12 days led peak 20 +30 taken

Continental Airlines Arena

10 days led peak 26 +77 taken

Honda Center

9 days led peak 26 +36 taken

United Center

8 days led peak 20 +52 taken

Enterprise Center

7 days led peak 26 +27 taken

McNichols Sports Arena

6 days led peak 26 +64 taken

US Airways Arena

6 days led peak 26 +34 taken

Ice Palace

6 days led peak 20 +54 taken

Reunion Arena

5 days led peak 20 +30 taken

Nassau Coliseum

5 days led peak 13 +18 taken

Bell Centre

4 days led peak 20 +26 taken

SAP Center

3 days led peak 20 +25 taken

Hartford Civic Center

2 days led peak 20 +24 taken

General Motors Place

2 days led peak 20 +25 taken

Canadian Tire Centre

0 days led peak 7 +7 taken

TD Garden

0 days led peak 6 +9 taken

America West Arena

0 days led peak 5 +8 taken

KeyBank Center

0 days led peak 3 +9 taken

Great Western Forum

0 days led peak 3 +6 taken

Maple Leaf Gardens

0 days led peak 3 +7 taken

Explore NHL Through the Years

All 108 NHL seasons, 1917-18 to 2025-26. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

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