NHL Return to Play Update: Has Anything Changed in the Last Week?

Alright so last week the hockey rumor mill finally start to stir with Bettman all but confirming a start date the second or third week of January, along with a strong implication that there would be an all-Canadian division. So what has happened in the week since? Not much. Although these update articles are spread out seven days apart, the league’s slow movement kinda makes them feel like we are moving in a different time frame.  But, we’ve got this far without news…perhaps the NHL is going to surprise us all with a Christmas day release. Either way, word is they are putting the time in at the moment to get some resolution and plan as soon as possible:

In other words, they better have something tangible for the teams, players, fans and general community to get excited about heading into the holidays. Even though the NHL is smaller than other major American sports, there are a huge amount of individuals in a variety of industries that will be depending on this news to bring some relief and hopefully make their 2021 a bit brighter.

Heading into these most recent talks the proposed divisions would be the following:

WEST: STL/ANA/LAK/SJS/VGK/DAL/COL/ARI

CENTRAL/SOUTH: FLA/CBJ/TBL/CAR/NSH/MIN/CHI/DET

EAST/NORTHEAST: WAS/PIT/PHI/BOS/NYR/NYI/NJD/BUF

CANADA: VAN/CGY/EDM/WPG/TOR/OTT/MTL

So that still leaves us with four divisions and, for the most part, they remain relatively similar in composition to the groupings of the past decade. As you can see they are loosely being based around travel distance. The rumored start of the season currently sits at January 13^th, and it will likely be confirmed before the coming weekend. It is also incredibly likely it will be a 56-game regular season, which is 26 lighter than a typical schedule.

With the new division alignment there will be a lot of repetitive matchups. In some cases that could become a bit dull, however given that there is plenty to be grim about over the past year, let’s focus on the positives. In the great white north, Canucks from coast to coast will undoubtedly enjoy seeing all seven teams do battle through much of the year. Part of what makes this division fun is there is not a single team that really stands out from the rest. Sure there are a few superstars sprinkled among the seven, and varying degrees of experience, but no one will be coming in too far ahead of any other.

The interesting part about this ‘central/south’ division is how diverse it is. We have the defending cup champs, some teams in a rebuild, others that have lived through some glory over the past decade, and then a handful you really aren’t sure what to expect. The eastern division is primarily comprised of metropolitan familiars, with an added bonus of Bruins and Sabres outfits. This is without a doubt the most stacked division coming into this shortened season. Five cups over the past 11 years have been lifted by three teams here which is equal to the amount of teams the rest of the league has crowned champions. However beyond the Pens, Caps, and Bruins there is some incredible talent and experience on almost every other roster. I am looking forward to breaking this one down as we near the season start.

Finally we reach the Western cohort. For the most part this division is comprised of historical underperformers and has-beens. That said, rivalries are as hot in this group as in any other. We’ll take closer looks at the divisions once it becomes official and the best sportsbooks update the NHL odds. Lots of exciting news in hockey world over the next couple weeks I hope!

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