The NHL is in the modern-day salary cap era, with most teams in the league close to parity than ever before. It is why we see new teams win most years and why a team like the Colorado Avalanche can go from being one of the worsts a few seasons ago to winning the Stanley Cup this year. But when it comes to which division is the best, the answer is not really a close call.
The Atlantic Division is without a doubt the best division in the NHL. The teams include four of the six original six teams with Detroit, Toronto, Montreal and Boston outside of that they also have Tampa Bay, Florida, Buffalo and Ottawa. This division is filled with teams trying to win now or turn the corner to being as successful as possible with the exception of the Montreal Canadiens who are just starting a rebuild.
The Atlantic Division is the best division in the NHL, and the truth is in the numbers.
During the past four seasons, the Stanley Cup Final has included a team from the Atlantic Division, which also is including the COVID shortened season in 2021 in which the divisions were changed up. During that season there was no Atlantic Division but the two teams that went to the Stanley Cup Final, the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning, both came from what is the Atlantic Division.
The division has also won three of the last four Presidents Trophies with the Panthers, Bruins, and Lightning capturing the best record of the regular season. The division is home to some of the best markets and players in the world including players like Auston Matthews, Steven Stamkos and now newcomer Matthew Tkachuk.
I do believe that as the current top teams like the Lightning and Bruins start to worsen as the Salary Cap and age catches up to them, this division will remain one of the top around thanks to the Red Wings, Senators and Sabres all ready to take significant steps forward thanks to their success in rebuilding and bringing in young talent.
The 2022-23 season is fastly approaching and without a doubt the toughest division that every team is going to have a hard time with will be the Atlantic.