What is the maximum number of players allowed on an NHL team roster?

The maximum number of players allowed on an NHL team roster is 23. This limit is designed to ensure that teams maintain a manageable number of active players, which aids in roster management and competitive balance throughout the league.

While teams can have a larger number of players in their organization, only 23 players can be registered on the active roster at any given time during the regular season. This includes not just the players in the lineup for each game, but also those who are healthy scratches.

In contrast, the other options represent numbers that exceed or fall below the maximum roster size set by the NHL. For example, while a team may have more players in the minors or on long-term injured reserve, the standard active roster size adheres strictly to the 23-player limit.