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 in honour of 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
Regular season Division champions
1975 – Buffalo Sabres (49–16–15, 113 pts) 1976 – Boston Bruins (48–15–17, 113 pts) 1977 – Boston Bruins (49–23–8, 106 pts) 1978 – Boston Bruins (51–18–11, 113 pts) 1979 – Boston Bruins (43–23–14, 100 pts) 1980 – Buffalo Sabres (47–17–16, 110 pts) 1981 – Buffalo Sabres (39–20–21, 99 pts) 1982 – Montreal Canadiens (46–17–17, 109 pts) 1983 – Boston Bruins (50–20–10, 110 pts) 1984 – Boston Bruins (49–25–6, 104 pts) 1985 – Montreal Canadiens (41–27–12, 94 pts) 1986 – Quebec Nordiques (43–31–6, 92 pts) 1987 – Hartford Whalers (43–30–7, 93 pts) 1988 – Montreal Canadiens (45–22–13, 103 pts) 1989 – Montreal Canadiens (53–18–9, 115 pts) 1990 – Boston Bruins (46–25–9, 101 pts) 1991 – Boston Bruins (44–24–12, 100 pts) 1992 – Montreal Canadiens (41–28–11, 93 pts) 1993 – Boston Bruins (51–26–7, 109 pts)