Central Division Title

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Lore & Background

After the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights to the Pacific Division in 2017, the Central Division was the only division in the NHL without eight teams. This situation remained in effect until the 2020–21 NHL season, when the COVID-19 pandemic compelled a radical re-alignment of the divisions, including the temporary abolition of the Eastern and Western conferences. The Central Division was the only existing division retained for the 2020–21 NHL season. Only three of the eight Central Division teams for 2020–21 were members of the division in the previous season. In 2021–22, the Seattle Kraken joined the Pacific Division, and the Arizona Coyotes moved to the Central Division as part of a league realignment. In 2024, the Coyotes were relocated to Salt Lake City to become the Utah Hockey Club, forming the present members of the Central.

In Their Own Story

The ice gleamed under the bright lights of the American Airlines Center as the final buzzer echoed through the arena. Fans in navy blue jerseys stood in unison, the roar rising like a tidal wave to greet the scoreboard update confirming their team's position atop the standings. It was not just about points; it was about territory claimed over eighty-two grueling games.

Reader's Guide

The Central Division has sent five teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs on seven occasions. In the first three seasons after the realignment of 2013, Central Division teams occupied both Wild Card playoff spots in the Western Conference. This occurred again in the 2018–19 season, for the fourth time in six seasons. In the pandemic-shortened 2019–20 season, all Central Division teams made the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs due to the 24-team format.

Did You Know?

• The Chicago Blackhawks have been a member of the Central Division in all of its seasons since the original 1993 realignment.
• The Arizona Coyotes (as the original Winnipeg Jets), Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues were original members of the division, and the Stars have remained in the Central Division continuously since 1993 except for the temp
• Three of its teams—the Nashville Predators (1998), Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets (1999), and Minnesota Wild (2000)—joined the NHL during a league expansion phase between 1998 and 2000.