Forbes NHL franchise rankings value Leafs at $1.3B US

Two Canadian teams are among the NHL's three most valuable franchises, according to Forbes' 16th annual valuation of all 30 clubs.

For the ninth consecutive year, the Toronto Maple Leafs topped the list with a valuation of $1.3 billion US (up from $1.1 billion in 2013) and the league's second-highest operating income of $70.6 million. All valuations are in U.S. dollars.

The Leafs were followed closely in the top three by the New York Rangers, with a valuation of $1.1 billion and the league's highest operating income of $84.4 million, and the Montreal Canadiens at $1 billion and $59.8 million, respectively.

The top three teams also happen to have the most lucrative local television deals and highest average ticket prices, the magazine reported.

The average NHL team value is at a historical high of $490 million, which Forbes credits to the new multi-billion dollarmedia deal with Rogers Communications.

The Vancouver Canucks were the only other Canadian franchise to make the top 10, listed infifth position with a valuation of $800 million.

Bitter Alberta rivals the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames ranked 12th and 13th, with valuations of $475 million and $451 million, respectively.The remaining Canadian clubs,the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets, made the 16th and 20th spots at $400 million and $358 million, respectively.

The distinguished honour of the least valuable NHL team went to the fledgling Florida Panthers, worth just $190 million.

The complete list in descending order (in U.S. dollars):

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $1.3 billion
2. New York Rangers: $1.1 billion
3. Montreal Canadiens: $1 billion
4. Chicago Blackhawks: $825 million
5. Vancouver Canucks: $800 million
6. Boston Bruins: $750 million
7. Philadelphia Flyers: $625 million
8. Los Angeles Kings: $580 million
9. Detroit Red Wings: $570 million
10. Pittsburgh Pengiuns: $565 million
11. Washington Capitals: $500 million
12. Edmonton Oilers: $475 million
13. Calgary Flames: $451 million
14. San Jose Sharks: $425 million
15. Dallas Stars: $420 million
16. Ottawa Senators: $400 million
17. Minnesota Wild: $370 million
18. Anaheim Ducks: $365 million
19. Colorado Avalanche: $360 million
20. Winnipeg Jets: $358 million
21. New Jersey Devils: $330 million
22. New York Islanders: $300 million
23. Buffalo Sabres: $288 million
24. Nashville Predators: $250 million
25. St. Louis Blues: $235 million
26. Tampa Bay Lightning: $230 million
27. Arizona Coyotes: $225 million
28. Carolina Hurricanes: $220 million
29. Columbus Blue Jackets: $200 million
30. Florida Panthers: $190 million