Changes to affect 2 of the 4 new NHL divisions!

It is believed that the National Hockey League has put together a proposal for the division re-alignment for the upcoming 2021 season, with the obvious reservation being that thanks to the uncertainty of COVID-19 that it is subject to change. 

However, it has been reported that the NHL is set on creating the all-Canadian division, and has outlined a proposal for these American divisions, and it looks like this:

Northeast Division:
Boston-Buffalo-New Jersey-NY Islanders-NY Rangers-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh-Washington

South Central Division:
Carolina-Chicago-Columbus-Detroit-Florida-Minnesota-Nashville-Tampa Bay

Western Division:
Anaheim-Arizona-Colorado-Dallas-Los Angeles-Las Vegas-San Jose-St. Louis

However, while the much of the Metro Division remains the same with some room for a few displaced Atlantic Division teams, Sportsnet reports that there is some debate about the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild’s placements.

This aforementioned proposal is not final or official and still needs to be voted on by the Board of Governors and the NHLPA, and this could be delayed thanks to the debate vis-a-vis St. Louis and Minny. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman has the feeling this may take some time to figure out, especially if changes are made and suggested in upcoming meetings, which could delay the start of the regular season. 

“I just think that we’re at the mercy of so much, I bet they’re modelling everything,” Friedman said on Sportsnet 650 The FAN’s The Program. “They’re modelling 56 games on the 13th. They’re modelling 48 games on Feb. 1. I’m sure they’re doing all this stuff. All you can do is prepare for anything and expect anything.”

The NHL also has to evaluate how the realignment will affect the postseason, long-distance travel and schedule considerations.

“If you’re having a division where four out of seven make the playoffs, you feel you have to make it as even as possible,” Friedman said. “Would it be a slight edge East-East, West-West? Yes I think so. But I also think they feel if you’re in a situation where these teams are competing against each other to make the post-season it can’t be incredibly unbalanced. I would also say that if COVID dictates less long-term travel for whatever reason, maybe that changes.”

It remains to be seen what the final and approved realignment would look like, however, as of now, would you put your stamp of approval on this proposal?