As of the 2023–24 season, 32 teams competed in the NHL.
The league’s 32 clubs were divided evenly into two conferences, with 16 teams in each. Each conference contained two divisions of eight teams. The lineup included established Original Six franchises, newer expansion clubs, and teams from both Canada and the United States.
The NHL had remained at 30 teams from 2000–01 until expansion resumed. The Vegas Golden Knights became the 31st team in 2017, and the Seattle Kraken brought the total to 32 for the 2021–22 season. That same 32-team structure continued through 2023–24.
The season was also historically notable because it was the Arizona Coyotes’ final season before their hockey operations were transferred to a new Utah franchise in 2024. That change did not make the 2023–24 season a 33-team season: the Coyotes and Utah club were part of a franchise transition, while the league’s competitive field remained 32 teams.