Division realignment would bring an end to the Blues-Red Wings rivalry. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The NHL has proposed a new division layout and is considering going from six to four and adding wildcard playoff teams. If the move is approved, it would split the Blues and longtime rival Detroit, as St. Louis would move into the Midwest Division and Detroit to the Central.
The plan still needs approval from the NHL Players’ Association plus the NHL’s Board of Governors. The NHLPA and NHL have been working on these changes for almost a month. If approved, the realignment would kick in for next season. The most noticeable changes appear to be based on time zones. With Detroit in Eastern time, it makes more sense from a travel standpoint to play more teams in that time zone as opposed to placing them in the Midwest, where they would have to travel two time zones away for games in Denver, CO.
The Blues would maintain rivalries with the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators, while adding Winnipeg, Colorado, Dallas and one-time Norris Division rival, Minnesota. The North Stars moved from the Twin Cities to Dallas and the Wild, in recent years, brought hockey back to Minnesota.
Mid-West Division
Chicago
Colorado
Dallas
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg
Pacific Division
Anaheim
Calgary
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver
Central Division
Boston
Buffalo
Detroit
Florida
Montreal
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Atlantic Division
Carolina
Columbus
New Jersey
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
