Division Re-alignments (Version 1.65)

With Atlanta moving to Winnipeg (or maybe not), the NHL will probably be forced to move teams into different divisions (and maybe conference). Here are 5 possible re-alignments:

Option #1

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
Atlantic - New Jersey, New York I, New York R, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Southeast - Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington, Winnipeg
Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vancouver
Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis
Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

Straight forward: Winnipeg stays in the Southeast (until after next season).

Option #2

Northeast - Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
Atlantic - Boston, New York I, New York R, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Southeast - Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Washington
Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Central - Chicago, Columbus, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis
Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

This one may be confusing, so bear with me. Winnipeg joins the Northwest divison with all the other Western Canadian teams, Minnesota gets bumped to the Central, Detroit gets it's wish and moves to the Eastern Conference. Since the Northeast would be crowded, Boston (being the south-most team) gets bumped down to the Atlantic. New Jersey moves to the Southeast because of circumstance (only team not in New York or Pennsylvania). We all know that won't happen since you would have to pry the team bus out of Lou Lammerello's cold, dead hands. Its a start though.

Option #3

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
Atlantic - New Jersey, New York I, New York R, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Southeast - Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Washington
Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Winnipeg
Central - Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis
Pacific - Anaheim, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver

Again, Winnipeg joins the Northwest. This time, Vancouver gets bumped to the Pacific (good: time zone, bad: not with other Canadian teams). Dallas moves to the Central division, and Nashville fills the void in the Southeast. Columbus could also be considered for the Southeast.

Option #4

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
Atlantic - New Jersey, New York I, New York R, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Southeast - Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington
Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Central - Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis
Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

Simple enough, just overload the Northern divisions.

Option #5

Northeast - Boston, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
Atlantic - Buffalo, New Jersey, New York R, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Southeast - Carolina, Florida, New York I, Tampa Bay, Washington
Northwest - Calgary, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Central - Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Nashville, St. Louis
Pacific - Anaheim, Colorado, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

Another jumbled option. Winnipeg joins the Northwest. Colorado moves to the Pacific (mountains and oceans, oh my). Dallas joins the Central, Detroit moves to the Northeast. Because of rivalry reasons, Buffalo is moved to the Atlantic. The New York Islanders move to the Southeast. Why? Competition reasons (it's an easier division to play in).

There are tons more options, but this is just a basic (ok, maybe just to me) run-down of what the NHL may look like next season. Getting Detroit to the East does seem like a main priority if Winnipeg gets the team, but the subsequent movement of Eastern teams is difficult due to geographical reasons.