NHL realignment

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

They can't break up that old Norris division. Too many good rivalries there to only play once/twice a year. Move Columbus to the East so you have 15 & 15 and be done with it.

Um...didn't they break up the old Norris division in like 1992? For that matter, the only original Norris division member still playing in the current Central division is the Red Wings. The "old" Norris division that you're remembering from the late 80's/early 90's included the Stars (not in the same division as the Wings since 1992), the Lightning (!!!), the Blues (a quasi-rival), the Blackhawks (a rival) and the Maple Leafs (a long-time Red Wings rival dating back to the 20's and 30's).

It's a travesty that the Leafs and Wings - two of the oldest rivals in the NHL and a scant four hour drive from each other - have, in some years, not played each other even once in a given season. Likewise the Wings and the Bruins, Canadiens, and Rangers. Not playing the Blackhawks more than twice per season would stink, but I'm sure most Wings fans (and players) would take the thousands miles less traveled and actual, normal playoff start times over playing Chicago more often (the only real Red Wings rivalry in the Western Conference with all due respect to Nashville and Columbus).