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Rangers are NHL's most valuable team in annual Forbes rankings

Rangers are NHL's most valuable team in annual Forbes rankings

The New York Rangers are the NHL’s most valuable team.

Forbes annual NHL franchise valuations puts the Rangers as the NHL’s most valued franchise, currently listed at $1.2 billion. According to Forbes, it is the first time since 2004 that the Rangers have been the most valued team in the NHL.

Said Forbes:

The Rangers generated the most revenue ($229 million) in the league during the 2014-15 season, cashing in on the $1 billion renovation of Madison Square Garden and drives to the Stanley Cup finals in 2014 and Eastern Conference Finals in 2015. The Rangers took in more than $95 million from premium seating and advertising at MSG last season, tops in the NHL.

Forbes also notes the average NHL team is worth $505 million, a three percent increase from a year ago and revenue was up to $133 million – an eight percent increase.

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Operating incomes were averaged at $15 million “almost identical” to last season, says Forbes.

Forbes says the NHL’s deal with Major League Baseball Advanced Media is a sign that even greater progress is on the horizon.

The most bullish signal for the league since the Rogers media deal was the agreement reached with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, baseball’s internet and technology arm, this summer. MLBAM will pay the National Hockey League $100 million annually starting next year to operate the NHL.com website, and the NHL Network will also distribute out-of-market games online through NHL GameCenter Live and through television providers on NHL Center Ice. In addition to the rights fees that MLBAM will pay, the NHL will get a stake of 7% to 10% in BAM Tech, which could fetch between $3 billion to $5 billion if it were carved out of its parent.

Here are the teams and valuations:

1. New York Rangers, $1.2 billion

2. Montreal Canadiens, $1.18 billion

3. Toronto Maple Leafs, $1.15 billion

4. Chicago Blackhawks, $925 million

5. Boston Bruins, $750 million

6. Vancouver Canucks, $745 million

7. Philadelphia Flyers, $660 million

8. Detroit Red Wings, $600 million

9. Los Angeles Kings, $580 million

10. Washington Capitals, $565 million

11. Pittsburgh Penguins, $560 million

12. Edmonton Oilers, $455 million

13. Dallas Stars, $450 million

14. San Jose Sharks, $445 million

15. Calgary Flames, $435 million

16. Anaheim Ducks, $400 million

17. Minnesota Wild, $380 million

18. Ottawa Senators, $370 million

19. Colorado Avalanche, $360 million

20. Winnipeg Jets, $350 million

21. New Jersey Devils, $330 million

22. New York Islanders, $325 million

23. Buffalo Sabres, $300 million.

24. St. Louis Blues, $270 million

25. Tampa Bay Lightning, $260 million

26. Nashville Predators, $255 million

27. Columbus Blue Jackets, $226 million

28. Carolina Hurricanes, $225 million

29. Arizona Coyotes, $220 million

30. Florida Panthers, $186 million

According to Forbes, the Canadiens added 18 percent value from the previous year.

Last season, the Canadiens began a long-term local television deal with Réseau des sports that will pay the team an average of C$68 million a season, more than double their previous agreement.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the most valued franchise since 2006, but lost their top spot due to a devalued Canadian currency and various other factors – such as making the playoffs once since 2006 and a 13-year sellout streak ending last March. Forbes said, the Habs were the only Canadian team to increase value over the last year.

Here is our blog of last year’s rankings.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!