1979–80 NHL season

Teams and the WHA merger

Four clubs from the World Hockey Association joined the NHL as expansion teams after the WHA ceased operations: the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers (which were later renamed the Hartford Whalers), and the Quebec Nordiques. These additions came with special entry conditions and roster arrangements as the established NHL teams and the incoming franchises adjusted. The arrival of former WHA clubs is part of the broader story of the WHA's collapse and absorption into the major professional ranks; further background is available at WHA history.

• Edmonton Oilers
• Winnipeg Jets
• Quebec Nordiques
• New England Whalers (later Hartford Whalers)

Regular season structure

With 21 teams, each club played an 80-game schedule. The league maintained its conference and divisional format to organize play and determine playoff seeding. The addition of teams required adjustments to travel and scheduling, and the competitive balance shifted as former WHA stars and rising talents joined NHL rosters. Two WHA franchises did not enter the NHL and were instead compensated to cease operations.

Playoffs and results

The postseason included the league's established playoff bracket and culminated in the Stanley Cup Final. The New York Islanders won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history at the end of this season, beginning a period of sustained success for the club. The playoffs showcased both veteran leadership and emerging players who had made the jump from other leagues.

Notable players and legacy

This season is widely remembered for the NHL debut of young stars who would influence the decade to come and for the long-term effects of absorbing WHA teams and personnel. The presence of new teams and players helped broaden the NHL's market and talent pool. The 1979–80 campaign is often cited as the start of a new era in the sport, connecting the WHA legacy with the modern NHL and setting the stage for dynasties and individual careers that followed.

For further reading on particular clubs, players, or statistical leaders from the season consult team histories and season summaries at resources linked for context: season summary, league history, and explorations of WHA integration at WHA sources. Individual team pages such as Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Quebec give more detailed accounts of their inaugural NHL seasons.