NHL: Rangers still the NHL's most valuable team - Forbes

[December 06, 2018]  (Reuters) - The New York Rangers are the most valuable National Hockey League franchise for a fourth consecutive year at more than double the league average, according to the annual list

The Rangers, who missed the playoffs last season, are worth $1.55 billion, up 3 percent from last year, Forbes said.

The Toronto Maple Leafs ($1.45 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($1.3 billion), Chicago Blackhawks ($1 billion) and Boston Bruins ($925 million) rounded out the top five.

The Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals were 10th on the list after their value rose 16 percent to $725 million.

The Vegas Golden Knights, who last season made an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final in their debut campaign, are worth $575 million.

Forbes said the average value of the NHL's 31 teams rose 6 percent during the past year to $630 million, an increase it attributed primarily to a 39 percent jump in the league's average operating income to a record $25 million last season.

New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Also boosting the average value of teams was the NHL's 10-year collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in 2013 and reduced the players' share of hockey-related revenue to a 50-50 split with owners from 57 percent.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Ed Osmond)

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.