The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is the forerunner of the NHL's Northeast Division, which later became the Atlantic Division. Division lineups 1974–1976 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres California Golden Seals Toronto Maple Leafs Changes from the 1973–74 season The Adams Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the East Division The California Golden Seals come from the West Division 1976–1978 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Cleveland Barons Toronto Maple Leafs Changes from the 1975–76 season The California Golden Seals moved to Richfield, Ohio, to become the Cleveland Barons 1978–1979 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Minnesota North Stars Toronto Maple Leafs Changes from the 1977–78 season The Cleveland Barons merge with the Minnesota North Stars. The merged franchise continues as the Minnesota North Stars, but leaves the Smythe Division to assume the Barons' place in the Adams Division to prevent the Adams from dropping to only three teams. 1979–1981 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Minnesota North Stars Quebec Nordiques Toronto Maple Leafs Changes from the 1978–79 season The Quebec Nordiques are granted entry into the NHL from the World Hockey Association (WHA) 1981–1992 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Quebec Nordiques Changes from the 1980–81 season The Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Norris Division The Hartford Whalers and Montreal Canadiens come from the Norris Division 1992–1993 Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Hartford Whalers Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Quebec Nordiques Changes from the 1991–92 season The Ottawa Senators are added as an expansion team After the 1992–93 season The league was reformatted into two conferences with two divisions each: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Northeast Division Western Conference Central Division Pacific Division Regular season Division champions 1975 – Buffalo Sabres (49–16–15, 113 pts) 1976 – Boston Bruins (48–15–17, 113 pts) 1977 – Boston Bruins (49–23–8, 106 pts) 1978 – Boston Bruins (51–18–11, 113 pts) 1979 – Boston Bruins (43–23–14, 100 pts) 1980 – Buffalo Sabres (47–17–16, 110 pts) 1981 – Buffalo Sabres (39–20–21, 99 pts) 1982 – Montreal Canadiens (46–17–17, 109 pts) 1983 – Boston Bruins (50–20–10, 110 pts) 1984 – Boston Bruins (49–25–6, 104 pts) 1985 – Montreal Canadiens (41–27–12, 94 pts)