Report: NHL realigned divisions revealed, some old rivals new again
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL discussed realignment today on the Board of Governors call. Out of that conversation, the following new divisions were revealed.
US1: BOS, BUF, NJ, NYI, NYR, PHI, PIT, WAS
US2: CAR, CBJ, DET, CHI, FL, MIN, NSH, TB
US3: ANA, AZ, CO, DAL, LA, SJ, STL, VGK
CAN1: MTL, VAN, CGY, WPG, TOR, EDM, OTT
The Daily Goal Horn Realignment 11/15/20
Back in November when rumors of realignment began to float, I took my crack at it. Here’s what I came up with:
EASTERN DIVISION: Bruins, Capitials, Devils, Flyers, Islanders, Penguins, Rangers, and Sabres.
How I did: Nailed it!
Thoughts: The East division has the least amount of travel but could also be the toughest. It is loaded with the biggest and meanest rivalries dating back to the old Patrick Division.
CENTRAL DIVISION: Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Blues, Hurricanes, Lightning, Panthers, Red Wings and Wild.
How I did: Oh so close…the Blues should be here but instead they put in the Predators.
Thoughts: It’s still a hodgepodge of teams but they make geographic sense. It also contains old Norris Division rivals in Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota as well as geographic ones like Florida and Tampa. Columbus and Nashville just feel like throw-ins.
WESTERN DIVISION: Avalanche, Ducks, Coyotes, Kings, Knights, Predators, Sharks, and Stars.
How I did: Thanks to the NHL being a stickler to geography they missed putting the Blues with their old Norris division rivals. Just missed this one too. Mind you, the states of Missouri and Tennessee touch.
Thoughts: I considered the West the weakest division at the time. Colorado, Vegas, and Dallas were favorites to battle for the division title. If the Blues remain here, then it gets tougher and more balanced.
CANADIAN DIVISION: Canadiens, Canucks, Flames, Jets, Maple Leaf, Oilers, and Senators.
How I did: This was a slam dunk. No thinking required.
Thoughts: The all Canada division is solely based on geography, due in large part to travel restrictions at the U.S. Canada border. In truth, who the hell wouldn’t want more Flames/Oilers and Habs/Leafs to watch.