The Cleveland Barons merged with which NHL team in 1978?

The Cleveland Barons merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.

The merger was approved in June 1978 after both franchises faced serious financial and attendance problems. The Barons had originated as the California Golden Seals, moved to Cleveland in 1976, and continued to struggle at the gate. Minnesota was also in danger of folding after several weak seasons.

Rather than allow either franchise to disappear, the NHL approved an unprecedented arrangement under which the teams combined ownership and rosters. The resulting club continued as the Minnesota North Stars, not the Cleveland Barons, and played in Minnesota during the 1978–79 season. The league therefore shrank from 18 teams to 17.

This was not a relocation to Colorado, Kansas City, or another former NHL market. The Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Scouts were separate franchises, while the California Golden Seals were the Barons’ earlier identity. The North Stars later moved to Dallas in 1993 and became the Dallas Stars.