Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)

The Jets' WHA years were successful, with the team making the playoffs every year except for the [[1974–75 Winnipeg Jets season|1974–75 season]]. The team's success continued in the postseason, with the Jets winning the [[Avco World Trophy|Avco Cup]] three times (in 1976, 1978, and 1979) and appeared in the Avco Cup Finals two additional times (in 1973 and 1977). The team struggled early on in the NHL, in part due to the [[1979 NHL expansion draft|1979 expansion draft]], going a combined 29–106–25 through the [[1979–80 Winnipeg Jets season|1979–80]] and [[1980–81 Winnipeg Jets season|1980–81]] seasons. The Jets made the [[Stanley Cup playoffs]] every season from [[1981–82 Winnipeg Jets season|1981–82]] to [[1987–88 Winnipeg Jets season|1987–88]], though the team only finished with a winning record twice during that period, in [[1984–85 Winnipeg Jets season|1984–85]] and [[1986–87 Winnipeg Jets season|1986–87]], which were also the only times the Jets advanced past the first round while in Winnipeg.

The Jets' WHA years were successful, with the team making the playoffs every year except for the [[1974–75 Winnipeg Jets season|1974–75 season]]. The team's success continued in the postseason, with the Jets winning the [[Avco World Trophy|Avco Cup]] three times (in 1976, 1978, and 1979) and appeared in the Avco Cup Finals two additional times (in 1973 and 1977). The team struggled early on in the NHL, in part due to the [[1979 NHL expansion draft|1979 expansion draft]], going a combined 29–106–25 through the [[1979–80 Winnipeg Jets season|1979–80]] and [[1980–81 Winnipeg Jets season|1980–81]] seasons. The Jets made the [[Stanley Cup playoffs]] every season from [[1981–82 Winnipeg Jets season|1981–82]] to [[1987–88 Winnipeg Jets season|1987–88]], though the team only finished with a winning record twice during that period, in [[1984–85 Winnipeg Jets season|1984–85]] and [[1986–87 Winnipeg Jets season|1986–87]], which were also the only times the Jets advanced past the first round while in Winnipeg.

During the early 1990s, the Jets started to experience financial difficulties due to a combination of rule changes to free agency, a weakening Canadian dollar, and the team's home arena, the over 40 year old Winnipeg Arena, being seen as antiquated (no luxury suites) with numerous obstructed views. Additionally, Winnipeg became the NHL's smallest market following the relocation of the [[Quebec Nordiques]] to [[Denver, Colorado]] as the [[Colorado Avalanche]] in [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]. Following a failed plan to replace the aging Winnipeg Arena in 1996, Jets owner Barry Shenkarow sold the team to [[Steven Gluckstern]] and Richard Burke for $65 million, who eventually reached an agreement with [[Phoenix Suns]] owner [[Jerry Colangelo]] to move the team to [[Phoenix, Arizona]] after a proposed move to [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]] fell through. The Jets played their final home game (and final game overall) before moving on April 28, 1996, a 4–1 loss to the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the [[1996 Stanley Cup playoffs|Stanley Cup playoffs]]. All records of the Jets were retained as the relocated franchise competed first as the Phoenix Coyotes, and then renamed itself to the [[Arizona Coyotes]]. In April 2024, after years of financial instability, the Coyotes suspended operations. With their assets (including players and hockey operations staff) being transferred to the new [[Utah Mammoth]], the Coyotes entered inactivity with their intellectual property (name, logos, etc.) remaining in Phoenix.

During the early 1990s, the Jets started to experience financial difficulties due to a combination of rule changes to free agency, a weakening Canadian dollar, and the team's home arena, the over 40 year old Winnipeg Arena, being seen as antiquated (no luxury suites) with numerous obstructed views. Additionally, Winnipeg became the NHL's smallest market following the relocation of the [[Quebec Nordiques]] to [[Denver, Colorado]] as the [[Colorado Avalanche]] in [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]. Following a failed plan to replace the aging Winnipeg Arena in 1996, Jets owner Barry Shenkarow sold the team to [[Steven Gluckstern]] and Richard Burke for $65 million, who eventually reached an agreement with [[Phoenix Suns]] owner [[Jerry Colangelo]] to move the team to [[Phoenix, Arizona]] after a proposed move to [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]] fell through. The Jets played their final home game (and final game overall) before moving on April 28, 1996, a 4–1 loss to the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the [[1996 Stanley Cup playoffs|Stanley Cup playoffs]]. All records of the Jets were retained as the relocated franchise competed first as the Phoenix Coyotes, and then renamed the team to the [[Arizona Coyotes]]. In April 2024, after years of financial instability, the Coyotes suspended operations. With their assets (including players and hockey operations staff) being transferred to the new [[Utah Mammoth]], the Coyotes entered inactivity with their intellectual property (name, logos, etc.) remaining in Phoenix.

The NHL returned to Winnipeg fifteen years later prior to the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] following the relocation of the [[Atlanta Thrashers]]. The relocated team was granted permission to use the [[Winnipeg Jets]] name and played its first home game on October 9, 2011, at the [[Canada Life Centre|MTS Centre]].

The NHL returned to Winnipeg fifteen years later prior to the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] following the relocation of the [[Atlanta Thrashers]]. The relocated team was granted permission to use the [[Winnipeg Jets]] name and played its first home game on October 9, 2011, at the [[Canada Life Centre|MTS Centre]].