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Where the NY Islanders would land in a hypothetical NHL realignment

ByMichael Stahurski|
2025 NHL Draft Press Conference
2025 NHL Draft Press Conference | Brian Babineau/GettyImages

With the MLB potentially adding a 32nd franchise, Commissioner Rob Manfred has discussed the possibility of the league having a major shakeup, adjusting the divisions for geographical realignment.

The NHL, which already has 32 franchises, adjusted its divisions before the 2012-13 season, making the change from six divisions to four.

Without any shakeup since, could Gary Bettman eventually decide to alter the landscape of the NHL?

The NY Islanders, who have three opponents within 120 miles of UBS Arena, have one of the best schedules in the league in terms of travel. But what if the NHL elected to have four divisions in each conference? What could potential realignment look like?

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan

Northeast

Central

South

NY Islanders

Toronto Maple Leafs

Columbus Blue Jackets

Florida Panthers

NY Rangers

Boston Bruins

Detroit Red Wings

Tampa Bay Lightning

NJ Devils

Montreal Canadiens

Buffalo Sabres

Carolina Hurricanes

Philadelphia Flyers

Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington Capitals

Western Conference

Pacific

Northwest

Midwest

Great Lakes

Los Angeles Kings

Seattle Kraken

Dallas Stars

Winnipeg Jets

Anaheim Ducks

Vancouver Canucks

Nashville Predators

Chicago Blackhawks

San Jose Sharks

Calgary Flames

Colorado Avalanche

Minnesota Wild

Vegas Golden Knights

Edmonton Oilers

Utah Mammoth

St. Louis Blues

For this exercise, rivalries were factored into decision-making, as it would be sacrilegious to break apart some of the greatest matchups that have developed over decades.

The Easten Conference, with location being more condensed, current regional rivalries would flourish, while others could develop.

The Islanders would be joined in the new Metro Division by the Rangers, Devils, and Flyers - a no-brainer.

The biggest change in the East would be the new Central Division. There is not much history between the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Sabres, and Penguins. They are among the few teams in the Eastern Conference that are not located on the Eastern Seaboard or in Canada, allowing players, teams, and fans to grow a new hatred for one another.

The Western Conference was much more difficult to determine, especially regarding travel. As many of the Western Conference franchises would be considered "newer" compared to the East, teams within the division would become closer in proximity than they currently are.

While Bettman is happy with the current playoff structure, many hockey fans aren't. In this new, revamped divisional realignment, I'm proposing an automatic playoff birth for each divisional winner, and four Wild Card births for the teams with the next best point totals. Division winners would receive home ice advantage in the first round.

It's unlikely the NHL makes such a drastic change, but do you believe the league would benefit from a divisional shakeup?

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