The success of the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Pirates led the NHL to expand further within the United States.
The league added three new teams: the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Cougars, and New York Rangers, to make a total of ten, split in two divisions.
The new New York Rangers franchise was approved in principle after the Madison Square Gardens president Hammond agreed to revenue sharing.
Sports promoter Paddy Harmon had announced a new Chicago Stadium and backed a team in partnership with Thomas Duggan, while Madison Square Garden's Tex Rickard wanted to build a Chicago Madison Square Garden with the participation of Huntington Hardwick.
Patrick approached Art Ross of the Bruins, who agreed to purchase the contracts of Frank Fredrickson, Eddie Shore, and Duke Keats.
After the series, Patrick approached the new New York Rangers owner Charles Hammond and their general manager Conn Smythe, but they were turned down.
[2] At a May 14 meeting, the NHL awarded the Detroit franchise to the syndicate of Wesson Seybourn and John Townsend, formed by Charles A.
Huntwick proceeded to buy the Portland Rosebuds and the Hughes group purchased the Victoria Cougars, each for $100,000.
[4] At the September 25, 1926, NHL meeting, the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Cougars and New York Rangers were added to the league.
[7] Toronto bought the players of the Saskatoon franchise separately, and Montreal claimed George Hainsworth.
The rest of the WHL players would be distributed by a committee of Frank Calder, Leo Dandurand and James Strachan.
[9] Majority ownership of the Toronto St. Patricks was sold on February 14, 1927 to a syndicate headed by Conn Smythe for CA$160,000 (equivalent to $2,762,198 in 2023).
[10] The club was officially renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs and Bickell became its president,[11] but the league ruled that the team must remain using the St. Patricks name until season's end.
[8] The Montreal Canadiens, last place finishers in 1925–26, solved their goaltending woes by signing George Hainsworth.
They further strengthened their team by signing Herb Gardiner of the Western League's Calgary Tigers for defence.
New York Americans right winger Shorty Green's career was ended after an injury in a game on February 27, 1927.
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Source: NHL.