How NHL expansion in Texas could change the Blackhawks' future

The NHL is looking to expand once again in the United States while leaving its northern neighbor ignored yet again. Last week, the NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reported that the league is in talks with an ownership group that has shown interest in Texas. Houston would be the first target for the NHL, while Austin would serve as a second option. Quebec City has also been floated as an option, but the majority of the monetary gains would be capitalized in the United States.

Possible realignment

With a potential 33rd team added to the league, the NHL could simply place the Houston-based team in the Central Division and call it a day. This would result in nine teams competing in the Central Division while the rest still have eight, and would make an easy fix if a Quebec City team ever comes down the pipeline.

Another realignment solution could involve splitting into eight divisions that contain four or five teams. Nine teams in one division could be excessive, and the NHL would have the opportunity to renew old rivalries while relocating teams and divisions based on their geography.

With Houston joining, the most logical solution would be to place them in the Western Conference. As it stands, the NHL has all 16 teams in the Eastern Time Zone playing in the Eastern Conference. There are eight teams in the Central Time Zone and eight teams in the Mountain/Pacific Time Zone.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic
Boston
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto

Great Lakes
Buffalo
Columbus
Detroit
Pittsburgh

Metropolitan
New Jersey
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Philadelphia

Southeast
Carolina
Florida
Tampa Bay
Washington

Western Conference

Central
Colorado
Dallas
Houston
Nashville

Midwest
Chicago
Minnesota
St. Louis
Winnipeg

Pacific
Calgary
Edmonton
Seattle
Vancouver

Southwest
Anaheim
Los Angeles
San Jose
Utah
Vegas

This scenario of four divisions per conference is logical while giving options for playoff berths/seeding. The NHL could opt for a home series per division winner, and then the four remaining playoff teams would be wild cards. There is always the option to revert to the traditional 1-8 seeding solely based on points. Either of these options would be more popular than the current playoff format, where we often see the best matchups before the conference final.

With fewer teams in each division, it is possible that each team could matchup with another division opponent at least five times a year. This increased exposure between teams would amplify the opportunities for bad blood. Matchups between Chicago-St. Louis, Edmonton-Calgary, Florida-Tampa Bay, Boston-Montreal, among many others would do wonders for the league. The increased divisional games would showcase the rivalries that have seemed to subside over the past few seasons.

Blackhawks in the East?

If the NHL really wanted to lean into old rivalries, there could be a situation where the Blackhawks could join the Eastern Conference. They could join the likes of Detroit, along with the rest of the Original Six teams in the East. With Houston poised to join the Western Conference, it is feasible that Chicago could slide into the East in perhaps the Great Lakes Division. Along with Detroit, they would renew their rivalry with the Blue Jackets from the 2000s and early 2010s.

With the Blackhawks seemingly on the brink of breaking out of their long rebuild, a division realignment could help provide the fresh start needed to kick off the next dynasty. If the divisions end up similarly to what is listed above, then the Blackhawks would be able to avoid the likes of the Avalanche, Stars, and Mammoth in their division. The NHL needs a shake-up, and if they plan on continuing to expand, then a division realignment would be a necessity.

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