NHL Record for Most Losses in a Season

San Jose Sharks holds the NHL record with 71 losses (1992-93).

Updated Oct 20, 5:57 PM ET after records.nhl.com

Top of the list

Most Losses, Season: the leaders
Rank	Team	Losses	Season	Team	GP	Goals
1	San Jose Sharks	71	1992-93	SJS	84	218
2	Ottawa Senators	70	1992-93	OTT	84	202
3	Washington Capitals	67	1974-75	WSH	80	181
4	Quebec Nordiques	61	1989-90	QUE	80	240
4	Ottawa Senators	61	1993-94	OTT	84	201
6	New York Islanders	60	1972-73	NYI	78	170
7	Washington Capitals	59	1975-76	WSH	80	224
7	Ottawa Senators	59	1995-96	OTT	82	191
9	Pittsburgh Penguins	58	1983-84	PIT	80	254
9	San Jose Sharks	58	1991-92	SJS	80	219
11	Winnipeg Jets (1979)	57	1980-81	WIN	80	246
11	Detroit Red Wings	57	1985-86	DET	80	266
11	Atlanta Thrashers	57	1999-00	ATL	82	170
14	Kansas City Scouts	56	1975-76	KCS	80	190
14	New Jersey Devils	56	1983-84	NJD	80	231
14	Colorado Avalanche	56	2016-17	COL	82	165
17	California Golden Seals	55	1973-74	CGS	78	195
17	Detroit Red Wings	55	1976-77	DET	80	183
17	San Jose Sharks	55	1995-96	SJS	82	252
17	Tampa Bay Lightning	55	1997-98	TBL	82	151
21	Kansas City Scouts	54	1974-75	KCS	80	184
21	Hartford Whalers	54	1982-83	HFD	80	261

The full top 50

Most Losses, Season: NHL team records
Rank	Team	Losses	Season	Team	GP	Goals
1	San Jose Sharks	71	1992-93	SJS	84	218
2	Ottawa Senators	70	1992-93	OTT	84	202
3	Washington Capitals	67	1974-75	WSH	80	181
4	Quebec Nordiques	61	1989-90	QUE	80	240
4	Ottawa Senators	61	1993-94	OTT	84	201
6	New York Islanders	60	1972-73	NYI	78	170
7	Washington Capitals	59	1975-76	WSH	80	224
7	Ottawa Senators	59	1995-96	OTT	82	191
9	Pittsburgh Penguins	58	1983-84	PIT	80	254
9	San Jose Sharks	58	1991-92	SJS	80	219
11	Winnipeg Jets (1979)	57	1980-81	WIN	80	246
11	Detroit Red Wings	57	1985-86	DET	80	266
11	Atlanta Thrashers	57	1999-00	ATL	82	170
14	Kansas City Scouts	56	1975-76	KCS	80	190
14	New Jersey Devils	56	1983-84	NJD	80	231
14	Colorado Avalanche	56	2016-17	COL	82	165
17	California Golden Seals	55	1973-74	CGS	78	195
17	Detroit Red Wings	55	1976-77	DET	80	183
17	San Jose Sharks	55	1995-96	SJS	82	252
17	Tampa Bay Lightning	55	1997-98	TBL	82	151
21	Kansas City Scouts	54	1974-75	KCS	80	184
21	Hartford Whalers	54	1982-83	HFD	80	261
21	Tampa Bay Lightning	54	1998-99	TBL	82	179
21	San Jose Sharks	54	2023-24	SJS	82	180
21	Tampa Bay Lightning	54	1992-93	TBL	84	245
26	California Golden Seals	53	1970-71	CGS	78	199
26	Minnesota North Stars	53	1975-76	MNS	80	195
26	Minnesota North Stars	53	1977-78	MNS	80	218
26	Colorado Rockies	53	1978-79	CLR	80	210
26	Pittsburgh Penguins	53	1982-83	PIT	80	257
26	Chicago Blackhawks	53	2023-24	CHI	82	178
32	Los Angeles Kings	52	1969-70	LAK	76	168
32	Toronto Maple Leafs	52	1984-85	TOR	80	253
32	Hartford Whalers	52	1992-93	HFD	84	284
35	Chicago Blackhawks	51	1953-54	CHI	70	133
35	Pittsburgh Penguins	51	1984-85	PIT	80	276
35	New York Islanders	51	2000-01	NYI	82	185
35	Buffalo Sabres	51	2013-14	BUF	82	150
35	Buffalo Sabres	51	2014-15	BUF	82	153
35	Winnipeg Jets (1979)	51	1993-94	WIN	84	245
41	Vancouver Canucks	50	1971-72	VAN	78	203
41	Minnesota North Stars	50	1974-75	MNS	80	221
41	St. Louis Blues	50	1978-79	STL	80	249
41	Quebec Nordiques	50	1990-91	QUE	80	236
41	New York Islanders	50	1995-96	NYI	82	229
41	Arizona Coyotes	50	2014-15	ARI	82	165
41	Arizona Coyotes	50	2021-22	ARI	82	206
41	Anaheim Ducks	50	2023-24	ANA	82	203
41	San Jose Sharks	50	2024-25	SJS	82	208
41	Edmonton Oilers	50	1992-93	EDM	84	242

Top 50 of 295 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most losses in a season?

San Jose Sharks holds the NHL record for most losses in a season with 71 (1992-93).