All-Canadian division could become permanent, according to Elliotte Friedman

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman kicked off his first 31 Thoughts column of 2021 with the excitement of the upcoming season, but also the sheer unpredictability it brings to the National Hockey League. While discussing the many changes and obstacles in the way, Friedman pointed out that “executives and agents believe the Canadian Division should be given permanent consideration.”

We now wonder if that could be an ultimate change for seasons to come and if the NHL will agree with them and make this a permanent realignment moving forward. 

“A few executives and agents believe the Canadian Division should be given permanent consideration — that guaranteeing four of those teams a playoff spot and one a Final Four spot would drive up revenues and raise the cap. As a Sportsnet employee, sign me up. But I admit that, personally, I’m not crazy about anyone being guaranteed anything.”

One thing is sure is that the NHL has decided on Tuesday that its re-aligned divisional structure for the 2021 NHL season will bear corporate sponsors with the Honda Division, Discovery Division, MassMutual Division and Scotiabank Division. 

Like the ads on helmets introduced this season, the NHL is using new and innovative ways to generate revenue so we can understand the reasoning behind divisional sponsors. 

However, we bet most fans do not like the idea or look and would prefer for the league to find another way to generate revenue. If the possibility of making the Canadian division permanent would drive up revenues, then, why the heck not!