Earlier this week, Forbes published their annual update to the estimations of NHL franchise values. Being a Canadian team and a relatively smaller population to other NHL cities, the valuation of the Edmonton Oilers is shocking.
This year saw a new team take the spot from the reigning New York Rangers as well. The Toronto Maple Leafs are now the league's most valuable team, closely followed by the Rangers and the Canadiens. Rounding out the top ten as the last Canadian team, the Edmonton Oilers were ranked as the seventh most valuable team at a value of $1.85 Billion dollars.
For a Canadian team with a smaller population, the Edmonton Oilers are clearly punching above their weight with their financial power. That's likely an attribution to their rabid and loyal fanbase creating tons of value, and of course employing the best player in the world, Connor McDavid.
It's great to see the Oilers get this kind of valuation and recognition from financial sources across the North America. It will directly translate to the Oilers getting some more influence around the league, and hopefully can promote the success of more Canadian teams in smaller markets.
