2. Let's Set the Western Conference Up
This took a bit to work around. You want to keep original rivalries afloat while appeasing specific teams. Plus, these moves must make geographical sense. You'd want a northwestern division, a Pacific division, and such.
Each division will play non-division opponents twice (one home, one away), excluding neighboring divisions, where it'll be two home games and two road games per team. The rest are division games. The formatting would go as follows for neighboring divisions.
- Pacific+Northwest
- Southwest+Central
- Eastern Canada+Northeast
- Atlantic+Southeast
So let's start off in the Western Conference since it was MUCH easier to make.
Pacific Division |
|---|
Anaheim Ducks |
Los Angeles Kings |
San Diego Surfers |
San Jose Sharks |
Vegas Golden Knights |
The San Diego Gulls, the AHL affiliate for the Anaheim Ducks, has had success with hockey. They drew in 9,305 fans in 2017-2018, which showcases the potential success of an NHL franchise.
Plus, there have been rumblings of an NHL franchise with Stan Kroenke investing in Midway Rising Development. The Los Angeles Rams owner has more than enough money to his name, with $15.7 billion to spend.
As for the Vegas Golden Knights, it creates a new rivalry. Now, you have Vegas going up against another California team. Plus, Golden Knight fans will want to trek down to San Diego for a hockey game. Road trip!
Northwest Division |
|---|
Calgary Flames |
Edmonton Oilers |
Seattle Kraken |
Utah Coyotes |
Vancouver Canucks |
With the Arizona Coyotes in constant relocation limbo, rumors have circulated of their next destination. The location? Salt Lake City. The state of Utah has experienced tremendous growth and its capital would make for a solid location.
As for the other teams, the rivalries would remain intact. Seattle and Vancouver would battle for the Cascades while the Oilers and Flames duke it out for Alberta. All we need are some firs and pines and we're set.
Southwest Division |
|---|
Colorado Avalanche |
Dallas Stars |
Houston Jets |
Kansas City Scouts |
St. Louis Blues |
Finally! Another Texas team to accompany the Dallas Stars! Tilman Fertitta has ramped up talks with the NHL to bring a hockey team to Houston. With the past success of the Aeros, it makes sense to finally create a southwestern division.
In this case, let's assume the Winnipeg Jets get relocated... again. There are attendance issues that are concerning for the Jets, after all. Plus, it's a known conspiracy theory that Gary Bettman hates Canada. Fertitta would move the Jets out of their bandbox arena, the Canada Life Centre and the team would go down to Space City.
On top of that, St. Louis gets an in-state rival, too. With the addition of Kansas City, there will be plenty of Show Me State action going on in Missouri. Maybe bring back the Scouts name?
Central Division |
|---|
Chicago Blackhawks |
Detroit Red Wings |
Milwaukee Freeze |
Minnesota Wild |
Nashville Predators |
If the Winnipeg Jets don't relocate after their drama, you can pencil them into this division and move Detroit to the Eastern Conference. In the meantime, DETROIT AND CHICAGO ARE IN THE SAME DIVISION AGAIN!
I know Detroit fans will whine and moan about having to go out west again. However, divisional play is the main focus of this expansion, where the Red Wings would still have two West Coast trips a season. C'mon, Red Wings fans. You missed the Blackhawks and Chelsea Dagger.