solving nhl realignment

For the 2012-2013 NHL season something has to give. Because the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg and became the new Jets, we've got a geography problem.

We need to get Winnipeg to the Western Conference, which means we need to get a different team to the  East.

Move #1: Nashville Predators goes to the East, Southeast division. 

Solves the vacant SE division spot, creates a border rivalry (Tennessee/Carolina) and Tennessee feels more like a southeast team then a midwest team anyways. (Think SEC football not Big Ten)

Now we could just move Winnipeg to the Central, taking the Predators spot and call it a day. But...

Move #2: Minnesota Wild goes to the Central division. 

In the 80's the North Stars played in the same division as Chicago and Detroit, and just feels more like a midwest division. Minneapolis and Chicago and Detroit are already football, baseball rivals, etc.

Move #3: Winnipeg Jets goes to the Northwest division. 

Now you've got the Jets playing in a division with the three other Western Canadian teams.

Simple, elegant.

- - -

The only team this makes for long travel is...the Colorado Avalanche. There's not a great solution for this. But if you wanted to do one it would be: swap the Sharks and Avalanche.

Reasons for: You could rename the Pacific division, the Southwest. Which fits better for Dallas, Phoenix, Colorado.

Reasons against: It makes sense to keep the California teams together. Colorado is a legacy Canadian team so it makes sense for them to be in the division with 4 Canadian teams.

OR

If you wanted to keep thinking...why not put both Minnesota and Winnipeg in the Northwest? Minnesota feels more Canadian than Colorado. Which means Colorado would slide into the Central and get divisional games against Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit! To me, Denver feels more like a midwestern city--they already play Kansas City in football. I think adding rivalries with the Red Wings and Blackhawks would be awesome.