The 1995-96 NHL season was the 79th season of the National Hockey League. It featured 26 teams, with the Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup in their first year after relocating from Quebec. The season was notable for the introduction of the NHL's new expansion teams, including the Nashville Predators and Atlanta Thrashers. During this season, Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins led the league in scoring, earning the Art Ross Trophy. The season also saw the emergence of young stars like Jaromir Jagr and Paul Kariya, contributing to the growing popularity of the sport in North America.