The NHL'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 in honor of Jack Adams. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northeast Division.

Division Lineups

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1974-1976

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• California Golden Seals
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1973-1974 season

• The Adams Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment
• The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the Eastern Division
• The California Golden Seals come from the Western Division

1976-1978

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Cleveland Barons
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1975-1976 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 1977-1978 season

• The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota North Stars and cease to exist
• The Minnesota North Stars move in from the Smythe Division

1979-1981

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Minnesota North Stars
• Québec Nordiques
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1978-1979 season

• The Québec Nordiques were granted entry into the NHL from the World Hockey Association (WHA)

1981-1992

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Hartford Whalers
• Montreal Canadiens
• Québec Nordiques

Changes from the 1980-1981 season

• The Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Norris Division
• The Hartford Whalers and Montreal Canadiens move in from the Norris Division

1992-1993

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Hartford Whalers
• Montreal Canadiens
• Ottawa Senators
• Québec Nordiques

Changes from the 1991-1992 season

• The Ottawa Senators were added as an expansion team

After the 1992-1993 season

The league was reformatted into two conferences with two divisions each:

• Eastern Conference
  • Atlantic Division
  • Northeast Division
• Western Conference
  • Central Division
  • Pacific Division

Division Champions

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• 1975 - Buffalo Sabres
• 1976 - Boston Bruins
• 1977 - Boston Bruins
• 1978 - Boston Bruins
• 1979 - Boston Bruins
• 1980 - Buffalo Sabres
• 1981 - Buffalo Sabres
• 1982 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1983 - Boston Bruins
• 1984 - Boston Bruins
• 1985 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1986 - Québec Nordiques
• 1987 - Hartford Whalers
• 1988 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1989 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1990 - Boston Bruins
• 1991 - Boston Bruins
• 1992 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1993 - Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Winners produced

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• 1986 - Montreal Canadiens
• 1993 - Montreal Canadiens

See also

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• NHL Eastern Division
• NHL Western Division
• Norris Division
• Patrick Division
• Smythe Division
• Atlantic Division (NHL)
• Central Division (NHL)
• Northeast Division (NHL)
• Pacific Division (NHL)

Reference

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• NHL History

National Hockey League | Historical National Hockey League Divisions