It looks like the NHL will have a formal application for an expansion team in Atlanta shortly:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/new-ar...-expansion

If the NHL does go through with this, how should they align their conferences?

Option 1 - Keep the current alignment

Eastern Conference
Atlantic - Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Florida, Detroit, Buffalo, Boston, Florida, Tampa Bay
Metropolitan - New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta

Western Conference
Central - Winnipeg, Minnesota, Saint Louis, Chicago, Nashville, Dallas, Colorado, Utah
Pacific - Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton

Option 2 - Split each conference into three divisions

Eastern Conference
Atlantic - Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Buffalo, Boston
Metropolitan - New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Columbus
Southeast - Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta

Western Conference
Central - Winnipeg, Minnesota, Saint Louis, Chicago, Nashville
Frontier - Dallas, Colorado, Utah, Calgary, Edmonton
Pacific - Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver

Option 3 - Split into three conferences

Eastern Conference
Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Boston, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit

Central Conference
Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville, Chicago, Saint Louis, Winnipeg, Minnesota

Western Conference
Dallas, Colorado, Utah, Calgary, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver

So many cities are rumored, 34 is announced as well

Of your division set ups, I like Option 2 the best.
They'd probably go w/ Option 1