Breaking down all the latest news, rumors, reports surrounding 2020-21 NHL season
NHL Division Realignment
One of the most talked about aspects of the 2020-21 NHL season has been Division Realignment, and that is a reality we will all get used to once it has been confirmed by the league.
We’ve looked at the countless different forms the NHL could take on with each Division mixed up and shaken about, and you can read some of those pieces below:
- Flyers, Penguins could be split up in proposed Realignment
- 3 teams that will benefit, 3 teams that will suffer from Realignment
- NHL Realignment would enhance importance of rivalries
Of course, how these new-look Divisions could look has changed on countless occasions, and there are still tweaks to be made according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Speaking of LeBrun, this is the latest from the respected NHL Insider on how the four Divisions could look after Realignment:
Not finalized yet, and still subject to change, but the 2020-21 four-division re-alignment currently looks like this according to sources:
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 9, 2020
Bos-Buf-NJ-NYI-NYR-Pha-Pgh-Was
Car-CBJ-Det-Chi-Fla-Min-Nas-TB
Ana-Ari-Col-Dal-LA-SJ-STL-VGK
All-Canadian teams
So, per LeBrun, these are the proposed Realigned NHL Divisions in full for the 2020-21 season:
- Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals.
- Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights.
- Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets.
Again, it is important to note that these Divisions are likely to change and Pierre has already reported that the NHL and the Board of Governors are already working on changes to that proposed Realignment.
As colleague @RussoHockey reported, Minnesota could swap again. Also hear Dallas is a possibility. Could be a few other tweaks. Clearly some governors on Wednesday's call who weren't pleased with the temporary divisions as presented. So stay tuned.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 11, 2020
However, that is the rough template and there is a lot to get excited about when it comes to potential matchups.
I mean, with teams expected to play each team in their own Division eight or nine times, we will be treated to a boatload of Hudson River showdowns between the Rangers and the Devils, some Original Six clashes between the Bruins and the Rangers, eight or nine tussles between the Penguins and the Flyers, a feast of clash of the titans battles between the loaded Avs and the juggernaut that is the Golden Knights and much more.
Basically, in what will be a weird and different-looking season anyway, Division Realignment has the potential to add more spice to a shortened season that will ensure every single game has extra meaning to it.
And we’re all in for it.
It is also expected that teams will play a series of games in the same place in order to reduce travel, as they do in Major League Baseball.
That certainly makes a lot of sense and is exactly why the NHL is proceeding with Division Realignment in the first place.