AHL vs NHL
The NHL is the top professional hockey league, and the AHL is the level directly below it: the top development league for all 32 NHL teams. NHL clubs keep their prospects and depth players in the AHL and call them up when they need them. The NHL plays 84 games a season and pays a $850,000 minimum salary; the AHL plays 72, and its minimum is a small fraction of that. The ECHL is one more step down.
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AHL vs NHL at a glance
| Item | NHL | AHL | ECHL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | The top professional league | One level below the NHL, its top development league | One level below the AHL (AA) |
| Teams | 32 | 32 | 30 |
| Regular season | 84 games (from 2026-27) | 72 games | 72 games |
| Tie to the NHL | — | Development league for all 32 NHL teams | 29 NHL organizations have an ECHL affiliate |
| Minimum salary | $850,000 a season (2026-27) | $52,725 a season (2024-25) | Set per week; see ECHL salaries |
| Champion wins | Stanley Cup | Calder Cup | Kelly Cup |
How players move between them
- Up: a recall. An NHL club brings a player up from its AHL affiliate to cover an injury or reward strong play.
- Down: an assignment. The club sends him back to the AHL for playing time once it no longer needs him.
- One more level. AHL clubs do the same with their ECHL affiliates. Our AHL and NHL contracts page lists every ECHL player whose deal belongs to an AHL or NHL club.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the AHL and the NHL?
The NHL is the top professional hockey league, and the AHL is the level directly below it. The AHL serves as the top development league for all 32 NHL teams: NHL clubs keep their prospects and depth players there and call them up when they need them. The NHL plays a 84-game regular season from 2026-27 and the AHL 72 games, and the pay gap is large: the NHL minimum salary is $850,000 for 2026-27, while the AHL minimum was $52,725 for 2024-25.
Is the AHL below the NHL?
Yes. The AHL is one level below the NHL, the step players take before reaching the top league. It is often compared to AAA baseball, and the ECHL, the level below the AHL, to AA.
How many teams are in the AHL?
32. In 2026-27 they play 72 games apiece, 1,152 games in all, from October 2 to April 11. The NHL also has 32 teams.
Does every NHL team have an AHL affiliate?
The AHL describes itself as the top development league for all 32 NHL teams, and it has 32 clubs. Players move between an NHL club and its AHL affiliate all season, which is why AHL rosters change so often.
What is an AHL call-up?
A call-up, or recall, is an NHL club bringing a player up from its AHL affiliate, usually to cover an injury or reward strong play. Sending him back down is an assignment. The same thing happens one level lower: AHL clubs recall players from their ECHL affiliates and assign players to them.
How much do AHL players make compared to NHL players?
Far less. The NHL minimum salary is $850,000 for 2026-27 and rises to $1,000,000 by 2029-30. The AHL minimum salary was $52,725 for 2024-25. Many AHL players are on NHL contracts, so their pay depends on that contract.
How many games are in an AHL season compared to the NHL?
The AHL plays 72 regular-season games per team. The NHL plays 84, up from 82, starting in 2026-27. The ECHL, one level below the AHL, also plays 72.
Where does the ECHL fit?
The ECHL is one level below the AHL, the third tier of North American pro hockey. 29 of the 32 NHL organizations have an ECHL affiliate among its 30 teams, so a prospect can be assigned from the NHL to the AHL and on to the ECHL, and recalled back up the same way.
Sources: AHL: 2026-27 schedule release; NHL.com: new CBA details; Daily Faceoff: AHL minimum salary, checked November 2026.