In the world of the NHL, the significance of a team's owner often flies under the radar when compared to star players or head coaches. However, for anyone familiar with the league, it's clear that a great owner can make all the difference, steering a franchise toward success, while a poor owner can lead to disarray.

Throughout my 20 years covering the NHL, I've seen firsthand how owners shape their teams. They influence crucial decisions, aid in building arenas, foster fan engagement, and contribute to community initiatives. To better understand how fans perceive their owners, we conducted a detailed survey with nearly 4,000 responses from across all 32 NHL teams. We evaluated owners based on four key categories: willingness to spend, organizational stability, treatment of the fan base, and franchise vision. These insights helped us shape our unique "Fan Score," blending fan perceptions with objective data like the team's on-ice performance over the past decade.

The Top Owners

- **Jeff Vinik (Tampa Bay Lightning)**: Vinik has become a benchmark for NHL owners. From transforming the Lightning into a championship contender to revitalizing downtown Tampa, his influence is commendable. He received top ratings for treating fans and demonstrating organizational stability. However, a shadow looms as he plans to exit majority ownership in 2027.

- **Vincent Viola (Florida Panthers)**: Viola turned a struggling franchise into a powerhouse, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory last season. He has shown unwavering commitment to enhancing fan experiences, making him a favorite among Panthers supporters.

- **Bill Foley (Vegas Golden Knights)**: Foley's ambitious goal of winning a Cup within six years came to fruition, and he quickly built a winning culture in Vegas. Fans appreciate his financial commitment and his supportive hands-off approach.

- **Tom Gaglardi (Dallas Stars)**: His tenure has seen the Stars evolve into perennial contenders with strategic drafting and savvy trades, earning high marks for organizational stability and franchise vision.

- **Tom Stillman (St. Louis Blues)**: Stillman played a crucial role in revitalizing the Blues and securing their first Cup in 2019. His dedication to fan treatment and spending has solidified his reputation.

Moving Down the Rankings

- **Ted Leonsis (Washington Capitals)**: After finally winning the Cup in 2018, concerns arose about the Caps' near move to Virginia, dousing some of the goodwill he'd built up. While many fans appreciate his leadership and commitment, this recent controversy has caused frustration.

- **Ryan Smith (Utah Jazz, Salt Lake City’s newest NHL team)**: As the fresh face among owners, Smith's hands-on, personal approach has garnered early positive feedback from fans. Yet, the team’s performance is under scrutiny as they work to earn a playoff spot.

- **Geoff Molson (Montreal Canadiens)**: While the Canadiens have faced challenges, fans are optimistic about the direction of the franchise under Molson's leadership. His active engagement with fans has also improved sentiments.

- **Daryl Katz (Edmonton Oilers)**: Despite success on the ice, Katz faces criticism regarding financial decisions and hiring practices, leading to low scores in organizational stability and fan treatment.

- **Terry Pegula (Buffalo Sabres)**: Unfortunately for Sabres fans, Pegula's ownership has been marked by controversy and poor performance. His inability to assemble a reliable management team fuels fan frustration, leading them to call for new leadership.

In Need of Improvement

- **Jeffrey Loria (Florida Panthers, previous owner)**: Although Viola has turned things around, many fans remain skeptical of previous ownership under Loria and how it impacted the franchise.

- **Kerry Bubolz (Arizona Coyotes)**: With challenges surrounding the team’s future in Arizona, many fans feel uncertain about leadership decisions, hoping for improvements that will benefit the community and fan base.

- **Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner)**: On a broader scale, although Bettman is not an owner, many fans view his leadership as a potential hindrance to growth, particularly in struggling franchise markets.

Conclusion

In the NHL, ownership plays a pivotal role in shaping not just teams but the entire culture of hockey in cities across North America. The dichotomy between top-performing owners and others struggling to connect with their fan bases is evident in the rankings. As franchises look ahead, both success on the ice and quality relationships with their fans will ultimately define their trajectories. The coming years will reveal whether the current ownership models can foster winning cultures and address fan grievances effectively.