NHL Returning to Winnipeg: Mapping Out the New Divisions After Realignment

The NHL and True North Sports and Entertainment Limited held a press conference today in Winnipeg to announce the completion of a deal to purchase the Thrashers.

True North intends to relocate the team to the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, subject to approval by the NHL Board of Governors at a meeting on June 21, 2011.

Sale approval requires a 75 percent majority vote while moving the franchise would require a simple majority vote by the board.

This season however the Winnipeg based franchise will play in the Southeast Division this season. In the 2012-13 season however, the divisions should be aligned. 

This is how the divisions should look for the 2012-13 season.

DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion based on location and other franchises up in the air. This in no way intended to be a set in stone proposition. 

Atlantic Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Atlantic Division currently consists of the

• New Jersey Devils
• New York Islanders
• New York Rangers
• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Philadelphia Flyers

This division makes a lot of sense because the teams are based out of three states. The Rangers, Islanders, Devils are a mere bus ride away from each other. They are very close, and it works well.

The travel time of these teams to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is minimal when traveling by train or plane. There is no obvious or conceivable reason to change this division in anyway.

Team Added: NONE

Team Subtracted: NONE

Northeast Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Northeast Division currently is comprised of the

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Montreal Canadiens
• Ottawa Senators
• Toronto Maple Leafs

This is a good alignment as the teams currently stand. The only question mark is what happens if Phoenix folds as a franchise.

There are rumors that Toronto could get a second team. This is backed up with the argument that New York and Los Angeles can support multiple teams and Toronto is considered the metropolis of Canada.

If that were the case, I would sub out Boston and add the second Toronto team. This would be the closest possible all Canadian division in the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo has been nicknamed Southern Canada by some hockey fanatics because of its climate and proximity to the Canadian border.

Team Added: NONE

Team Subtracted: NONE

Southeast Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Southeast Division currently consists of the

• Carolina Hurricanes
• Florida Panthers
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Washington Capitals
• Winnipeg NHL Team

The new division should appear like this

• Carolina Hurricanes
• Florida Panthers
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Washington Capitals
• Nashville Predators- Moves from Central Division

When it comes to Western Conference teams to move, the Nashville Predators make the most sense. Nashville is a comparable market to these other teams. They have had successful fan turnouts, are a playoff team, and would complement the division.

Travel would not be an issue since Tennessee to Florida is a lot better than Florida to Winnipeg.  The flight time from Tampa to Nashville the is one hour and 14 minutes, so it is not a inconvenient commute. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets are another team to be considered but I feel that Nashville fits better.

Team Added: Nashville Predators

Team Subtracted: Winnipeg NHL Team

Pacific Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Pacific Division currently consists of the

• Anaheim Ducks
• Dallas Stars
• Los Angeles Kings
• Phoenix Coyotes
• San Jose Sharks

The new division should appear like this

• Anaheim Ducks
• Colorado Avalanche- Moves from Northwest
• Los Angeles Kings
• Phoenix Coyotes
• San Jose Sharks

The Dallas Stars are the odd ball of this division. The division consist of three California teams and the Coyotes. Colorado geographically is closer to California than Texas. 

Team Added: Colorado Avalanche

Team Subtracted: Dallas Stars

Northwest Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Northwest Division currently consists of the

• Calgary Flames
• Colorado Avalanche
• Edmonton Oilers
• Minnesota Wild
• Vancouver Canucks

The new division should appear like this

• Calgary Flames
• Winnipeg NHL Team move from Southwest Division
• Edmonton Oilers
• Minnesota Wild
• Vancouver Canucks

The Colorado Avalanche were only in this division because of the Quebec Nordiques. When the team was in Quebec, they were in ample location to the corresponding teams with the exception of the nonexistent Minnesota Wild.

This would be a great division because of the closeness of the Canadian teams and the rivalry that could develop between the Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg NHL Team.

Team Added: Winnipeg Based Team

Team Subtracted: Colorado Avalanche

Central Division

Credit: Bill Turianski www.billsportsmaps.com

The Central Division currently consists of the

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Detroit Red Wings
• Nashville Predators
• St. Louis Blues

The new division should appear like this

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Detroit Red Wings
• Dallas Stars- Move from Pacific
• St. Louis Blues

Dallas, Texas for starters is located in the Central Standard Time. This would be acceptable fit because Texas teams have been in divisions with teams like this before. The Dallas Cowboys are a member of the NFC East even though they clearly are not a east team.

I realize that apparently Detroit has been promised a spot in the Eastern Conference, but this new allignment would make the most sense.

Team Added: Dallas Stars

Team Subtracted: Nashville Predators

Summary of Moves

Nashville Predators- Moves from Central Division to Southwest Division and Eastern Conference

Colorado Avalanche- Moves from Northwest Division to Pacific Division 

Winnipeg NHL Team move from Southwest Division to Northwest Division and Western Conference

Dallas Stars move from Pacific Division to Central Division

All of these overall changes correctly realign the defunct Quebec Nordiques and Atlanta Thrashers given their new locations.

These changes seem logical based on location and competitive balance amongst the divisions.

Comments, Questions, Concerns?

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