Three teams that will benefit and three teams that will suffer from NHL realignment

Teams that will benefit.

2. Edmonton Oilers

We’re sticking in the all-Canadian Division for now.

While I think that the Toronto Maple Leafs have all the firepower and all the weapons needed to separate themselves in such a division, the Edmonton Oilers won’t be too far behind.

First and foremost, they will be taken away from a Pacific Division that boasts the powerhouse Vegas Golden Knights, who only got better this offseason after signing elite defenseman Alex Pietrangelo in Free Agency.

Granted, the Maple Leafs are loaded and the Montreal Canadiens also significantly improved this offseason, getting vastly tougher following the additions of players in the ilk of Josh Anderson, while they also added a scoring punch in winger Tyler Toffoli.

However, the Oilers have one of the best players in the game in Connor McDavid, and arguably another one who belongs in the top five in Leon Draisaitl, who is coming off his second consecutive 100+ point season.

Also, McDavid is no doubt going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder in 2020-21 after suffering yet more Playoff disappointment this past year, so expect a highly-motivated Edmonton Oilers team to make the most of being in an all-Canadian Division.

3. Boston Bruins

Is the window closing for this current Boston Bruins vintage?

With Torey Krug gone, the future of Captain Zdeno Chara still unclear and Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci both aging, you can make the argument that their Stanley Cup window is shrinking by the day.

However, they have one of the most explosive offensive threats in the NHL in winger David Pastrnak, who tallied a career-high 48 goals during the 2019-20 regular season, while there is enough depth and talent on this roster to ensure that the B’s will be contenders once again.

Plus, if realignment proves true and these proposed Divisions happen, then the Bruins won’t have to worry about having the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Montreal Canadiens in the same Division.

That is three huge opponents just gone and, while Boston would have to pit their wits against the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders, not to mention a vastly improved New York Rangers team, they would still have one of the best rosters in the proposed East Division and should have enough talent and firepower to finish atop the East and pave the way for another deep postseason run.