(07-12-2025 06:06 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Touche. I've done something like this before, but moving from a more logical alignment to less logical one doesn't hold as much appeal.

Doing the NHL next?

Wait a minute, this actually happened. But what if the NHL stuck with it to the present day (COVID-era excepted)?

1979-80 NHL Season
Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars (Dallas Stars), Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques (Colorado Avalanche)
Norris Division - Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers (Carolina Hurricanes), Detroit Red Wings

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Atlanta (Calgary) Flames, Washington Capitals
Smythe Division - Chicago Black Hawks (Blackhawks), St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets (Utah Mammoth), Colorado Rockies (New Jersey Devils)

In that season, everyone played each other four times regardless of the divisions, so the NHL scheduled as if it were a single table.

In 1991, the NHL added the San Jose Sharks to the Smythe, which had undergone several changes. But let's assume no one changed divisions, and place them in the Norris to balance both conferences at 11 teams. We'll swap New Jersey and Calgary to have them avoid being lone outliers in their divisions.

Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques
Norris Division - Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals
Smythe Division - Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames

The following year, Ottawa and Tampa Bay join. Ottawa joins the Adams (no change from real life) and Tampa Bay joins the Patrick (in real life they joined the Norris).

In 1993, Florida and Anaheim join. Florida joins the Adams and Anaheim joins the Smythe. This was then the NHL went geographic. The Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas.

In 1995, Quebec relocates to Colorado. They and Dallas swap with Montreal and Hartford (In real life Colorado went from the Northeast to the Pacific). The following year Winnipeg (now Utah) moves to Phoenix, followed by Hartford relocating to Raleigh in 1997.

Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators
Norris Division - Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning
Smythe Division - Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

In 1998, Nashville joins. In 1999, the NHL adds the Atlanta Thrashers (Winnipeg Jets). Nashville joins the Norris, while Atlanta joins the Patrick.

In 2000, the NHL adds the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus joins the Adams, while Minnesota joins the Smythe.

In 2011, Atlanta relocates to Winnipeg:

Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets
Norris Division - Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets
Smythe Division - Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Minnesota Wild

In 2017, the NHL expands to Las Vegas. Minnesota moves to the Patrick and Vegas joins the Smythe.

Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets
Norris Division - Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild
Smythe Division - Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vegas Golden Knights.

Seattle joins in 2023 in the Norris Division. Pittsburgh and Detroit swap with Minnesota and Winnipeg:

Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets
Norris Division - Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken

Clarence Campbell Conference
Patrick Division - Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings
Smythe Division - Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights.

In 2024 Arizona relocates to Utah, but no changes in divisional alignment are made.