If you were in charge with realignment, what teams would you put in each division?
Take into account whatever you feel is necessary...
Travel, time zones, historical significance, nostalgia, rivalries, etc.
(And yes, include Winnipeg)
2011-06-12T06:48:57Z
I'm loving a lot of these answers. Being a Minnesota Wild fan, I am sort of conflicted on whether they should be in a division with Vancouver. The rivalry (for Wild fans) is the only real one this team has (although it hasn't really been significant since 2003). But a lot of children don't get to see the games played in Vancouver, as they don't start until after 9:00 Central Time.
I loved the old days, when the North Stars were in a division with Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis... and to me, Winnipeg and Minnesota should be grouped together.
I will put this question to a vote to see how the rest of the people in this category feel about the answers already submitted.
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Like I'm Telling You Who I A2011-06-10T16:22:29Z
Favorite Answer
Orr Division Toronto Montreal Detroit Boston Rangers Ottawa
Clarke Division Chicago Dallas Los Angeles Pittsburgh St, Louis Philadelphia
Bossy Division Buffalo Vancouver Islanders Calgary Washington New Jersey
Gretzky Division Phoenix Edmonton Colorado Carolina San Jose Anaheim
Thomson Division Winnipeg Columbus Florida Tampa Bay Minnesota Nashville
I've chosen to base my divisions based on when teams entered the League. The names of the divisions were chosen based on a great name associated with one of those teams not already immortalized by the NHL. So, the original division is named after Orr because Richard has a trophy named after him. The 1967 division is named after Bobby Clarke because in a fight between Clarke and Lemieux......Clarke is the one who walks to the penalty box under his own steam. The 70s expansion teams in the Bossy Division, best goal scorer in NHL history, and the best career pts/game by a guy not named Gretzky/Lemieux. Then Gretzky division encompasses the WHA teams and first two teams from the 90s. Finally the Thomson Division is named after David Thomson who could be making people in Winnipeg happy this coming year.
Every team would play one another 3x for an 87 game balanced schedule, and the top 16 teams make the playoffs. The teams would then play a 15 game round robin for the firsat playoff round, and the top 2 teams that emerge from that would play a 7 game series for the Stanley Cup.
This would generate a lot of revenue because all playoff teams are guaranteed at least 7 home games.
Since I'm in charge, I'll take a simple East/West approach:
EAST Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Carolina Hurricanes Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Nashville Predators New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Ottawa Senators Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs Washington Capitals
WEST Anaheim Ducks Calgary Flames Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Columbus Blue Jackets Dallas Stars Detroit Red Wings Edmonton Oilers Los Angeles Kings Manitoba Blizzard Minnesota Wild Phoenix Coyotes San Jose Sharks St. Louis Blues Vancouver Canucks
Divisions only mean a longer playoff tourney, and I think one round is plenty. Now, I realize why the current playoff tourneys are so long, but again, I like it simple.
I generally follow Pat H's idea, although as an alternative I would suggest putting Vancouver in the Pacific and leaving Colorado in the Northwest. This would avoid having the Canucks and Wild play each other six times a year while being two time zones apart.