NEW YORK (AP) — For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL's most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine's annual survey.
The Leafs are worth $470 million, an increase of 5% over last year. They easily are worth more than the next franchise, the New York Rangers at $416 million, up just 1%.
The original six franchises are in the top seven, with only Philadelphia at No. 5 breaking that monopoly. Montreal is third ($339 million), followed by Detroit ($337 million), Philadelphia ($273 million), Boston ($271 million) and Chicago ($258 million).
Chicago has the biggest rise in value, up 26%.
Not surprisingly, the Phoenix Coyotes, with all their ownership issues, have the lowest worth, $138 million.
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