Winnipeg hockey fans will happy to have a team again and really won't care that much which division the team plays in. There isn't a requirement for any realignment but you'd think the league will eventually do one of sorts since Winnipeg being in the Southeast Division isn't a very good fit.
What division realignment would you suggest the NHL do?
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
From what I understand next year they will not align and the Southeast will contain Winnipeg in it.
However when they do align (eventually) I think they should do the following:
Northeast:
Boston
Montreal
Toronto
Buffalo
Ottawa
Atlantic:
Philadelphia
New Jersey
New York Rangers
New York Islanders
Pittsburgh
Southeast:
Washington
Nashville (New)
Florida
Tampa Bay
Carolina
Central:
Detroit
Chicago
Columbus
St. Louis
Dallas (New)
Northwest:
Minnesota
Vancouver
Winnipeg (New)
Calgary
Edmonton
Pacific:
San Jose
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Phoenix
Colorado (New)
tomjc43
Easiest and less troublesome. Winnipeg into Northwest pushing Colorado to the Central pushing Nashville to the Southeast.
Yes Detroit and Columbus are further east than Nashville but Nashville is further south. Minnesota is a geographical rival for Winnipeg, more so than Colorado. But I'm ambivalent on this move.
Yes I'd love to see Detroit in the east and Bettman owes Illitch a favour but the Chicago / St. Louis influence will stop that logic from occurring.
But there will be no logic in the realignment particularly when Columbus and Phoenix will be moving next year (after next lockout).
Anonymous
Nashville will move to the Southeast based on it being the least amount of disruption(at least in the Eastern Conference) The East is set up to be the easiest on travel time and costs for their divisions as well as rivalries. Since it was asked why they'd be the ones moved. I think the first answer has it right. The West is just too spread out to be set up the way the East is so they are going to be the Conference that is adjusted more off of it. Since the Southeast is already so spread out(for the Eastern Conference) adding Nashville really won't be a big deal. Putting Columbus in the Southeast just wouldn't make much sense(and likely keeping Nashville would add more travel time to the West) and moving Detroit would REALLY make no sense over Columbus.
Jeffrey
Basically the league would have to make 3 moves for relocation.
Winnipeg would go to the Northwest and join Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary/Colorodo
Minnesota would go to the Central and join Detroit/Chicago/Columbus/ St. Louis
Nashville would switch Conference and join the Southeast conference with Washington/Tampa Bay/Florida/Carolina.
Geographically speaking this makes the most sense... Also, it would cut travel costs down for Nashville as they won't have to travel nearly as many miles as they currently do. The move also benefits Minnesota for the same reason.
Winnipeg in the Northwest would be four canadian teams in the division all within relative proximity to each other.
?
Once it comes time for the divisions to be realigned, I suggest the following:
Winnipeg to Northwest
Colorado to Pacific
Dallas to Central
Detroit to Northeast
Boston to Atlantic
Philadelphia to Southeast