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| Vancouver Canucks centre Mats Sundin, top, of Sweden, brings the puck forward as he faced by Toronto Maple Leaf defensive Luke Schenn, right, and Jonas Frogren, bottom, of Sweden, during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday February 21, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young |
NEW YORK - For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey.
The Leafs are worth US$470 million, an increase of five per cent over last year. They easily are worth more than the next franchise, the New York Rangers at $416 million, up just one per cent.
The original six franchises are in the top seven, with only Philadelphia at No. 5 breaking that monopoly. Montreal is third ($339 million), followed by Detroit ($337 million), Philadelphia ($273 million), Boston ($271 million) and Chicago ($258 million).
The Vancouver Canucks ($239 million) were the next highest Canadian team coming in at ninth. Calgary ($200 million) was 16th; Ottawa ($197) 17th; and Edmonton ($166 million) - the lowest-valued Canadian team - at 24th.
Chicago has the biggest rise in value, up 26 per cent, followed by Washington at 15 per cent to $183 million.
The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins rank 11th at $222 million.
The average value of the 30 teams is $223 million, a slight increase over the $220 million of 2008.
Not surprisingly, the Phoenix Coyotes, with all their ownership issues, have the lowest worth, $138 million. And 14 teams - nearly half the league - went down in value, ranging from Colorado decreasing by 11 per cent to Philadelphia falling one per cent.
Toronto has, by far, the most operating income, $78.9 million, Forbes reported. Second in operating income is Montreal at $31.3 million.
The Leafs are tops in revenues, too, at $168 million, followed by the Rangers at $139 million.
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On the Web: www.forbes.com/nhl
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