No one knows when the 2020-21 season is going to get underway nor does anyone have any idea what exactly it will look like when it finally does.
Recently, there’s been a growing sense that one potential option the league may be forced to take is to re-align the divisions to keep all Canadian teams together. In fact, The Creator mentioned it as an option he expects to happen in a recent interview on Vegas Hockey Hotline with Brian Blessing.
I don’t think that border is going to be open on January 1st. I think they are going to play a Canadian division. -The Creator
Major League Baseball faced this problem as the Toronto Blue Jays were not granted access to fly back and forth across the border to play games. Instead, they had to play all of their games in Buffalo.
So, if that were to be the case, where does that leave Vegas with three teams suddenly out of the division. Here’s the most logical option the league could be left with.
Canadian Division
Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg
West Division
Arizona, Anaheim, Colorado, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Jose, St. Louis, Vegas
Central Division
Chicago, Carolina, Columbus, Detroit, Florida, Minnesota, Nashville, Tampa Bay
East Division
Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
This is certainly not perfect for Vegas, but it’s not terrible. They still remain in a division with the three California teams and they no longer would have to take the tough trip up to Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary). But, adding Colorado, Dallas, and St. Louis is definitely tricky.
The league certainly could shuffle a few things around including possibly seeing Chicago or Nashville instead of St. Louis in Vegas’ division.
Winning a division with Colorado in it will be much tougher for Vegas than without. Nonetheless, no matter how it shakes out the Golden Knights should be in a prime position to once again reach the postseason.
Tim
The divisions make sense.
Hdbiker7851
Hi Tim apparently you are the only o e who cares. My hope is the borders get open and things return to the new Normal masks and all if that’s what’s necessary
Tim
Hdbiker since we think this covid will be around for a while and Canada has some strict rules a Canadian division makes sense don’t you think?
hdbiker7851
Absolutely makes senses under the current circumstances but like I said I would like to see the border open and things return to the new normal sooner rather than later. That said they have been much stricter about things than most so I am not overly optimistic at this point. It could guarantee a Canadian team in the playoff for the Cup which I am sure would be exciting for my Canadian relatives.
Walt
there is no way that St louis and Chicago would be split up to separate divisions. They have been natural and bitter rivals for many years.
more likely that Nashville would be the team moving to the West division with Vegas
Gordon LAPLANTE
I’m just wondering how this Canadian Division would work with their AHL minor league call ups as most of these teams are located south of the border. Under present rules anyone coming into Canada from the USA has to quarantine themselves for 14 days and I expect that to be the case if the border remains closed.