Which NHL franchise attracts the largest number of fans from outside North America?

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As the4 Nations Face-Off has once more proved that the love for hockey knows no borders and continues to expand.

As an already global league, the NHL has a diverse fanbase worldwide; it hosts numerous games internationally and attracts fans and players from every corner of the globe. Through Google Trends,deereplanet.com we conducted a global analysis on February 18, 2025, looking at data from the past two decades. This research helps us identify which team has garnered the most interest from international fans during that period. For more hockey-related content, visit deereplanet.com,Ontario sports betting insights.

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Which NHL team boasts the largest international following?

Rank

Team

Search Interest Score

1

Toronto Maple Leafs

25

2

Pittsburgh Penguins

14

T3

Montreal Canadiens

13

T3

New York Rangers

13

T3

Vancouver Canucks

13

6

Ottawa Senators

12

T7

Chicago Blackhawks

11

T7

Edmonton Oilers

11

9

Boston Bruins

10

10

Washington Capitals

9

We offer anNHL betting a comprehensive resource to refer to throughout the season, including during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs Gain Worldwide Popularity

Quietly, let’s keep this between us and the people in Québec. Our analysis of internet search trends identifies the Toronto Maple Leafs as the most beloved NHL team globally, marked by their iconic blue and white colors—with no hint of rouge here.

The Toronto Maple Leafs achieved a notable search interest score of 25 throughout our study period, significantly surpassing all other NHL franchises. We are providing current informationToronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup odds as the final third of the season approaches.

The Leafs have a rich history of featuring international stars, extending far beyond their traditional Ontario support. As stated on hockey-reference.com, the second-highest point share in the franchise's history belongs to Mats Sundin, a centre from Sweden who had an impressive run with the Leafs from 1994 to 2008. He recorded 114 point shares, just behind the Hall of Fame goaltender Turk Broda's 120.

But that’s just part of the story. The modern era has seen Swedish defenseman Borje Salming and Czech blueliner Tomas Kaberle among various international figures who have made significant contributions to the team's legacy.

As of February 20, the current Leafs hold decimal odds of 11.91 (or +1091 in American odds) for winning the Stanley Cup atPinnacle Ontario Sportsbook .

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Other NHL Teams Attracting International Fans

Certainly, hockey enthusiasts in distant locations are also drawn to Canadian and American star athletes. Enjoying high-quality hockey is a must, and when a player from their country excels in the NHL, it gives international supporters even more reasons to cheer for that athlete and their respective team.

Ranking second on our list are the Pittsburgh Penguins, with a score of 14 search interest points. Jaromir Jagr is a legend in the Czech Republic, and his stellar performances as a prolific scorer for the Penguins likely boosted Pittsburgh's global appeal.

The Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks share third place, with each earning a search interest score of 13. As the NHL regular season resumes after the 4 Nations, both the Habs and Rangers will need to step up their game to make an impact inStanley Cup betting odds the playoff race. Currently, the Canucks are holding onto a playoff position, just managing to secure the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Author

Jim Tomlin
Jim Tomlin
Ontario iGaming Editor

Jim Tomlin is a seasoned editor and writer focusing on sports, gambling, and the crossover between these fields. With over 30 years of experience in journalism, his work has been featured in outlets like the Tampa Bay Times, FanRag, Saturday Down South, and Saturday Tradition.

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