The playoffs and the playoff races in the Central Division is outstanding and not only are we getting to experience a great playoff race with a playoff to match, the NHL has gotten something MUCH more important.
TRUE Rivalries.
I have said it for years. To build hockey in the south eastern United States you need to play to your strengths in the region. And the sports strengths of this part of the country are all about rivalries, tailgating and STATE pride.
The Carolina Hurricanes, The Nashville Predators, the Dallas Stars, and the Florida teams are all in sports cities with VERY different characteristics than the Bostons, Phillys, New Yorks and Chicagos.
The northern cities sports pride was built from Pro Football and Baseball over MANY many years: The Red Sox, Yanks, Phils, Cubs, Mets, Giants, Bears, Eagles, Sixers, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls...etc..
The southern cities draw their sports pride from rampant high school and college sports: The SEC college football conference is EVERYTHING. University of Florida, Texas A & M, University of Tennessee, University of Miami, Missouiri.....The ACC basketball conference...Duke, NC State, North Carollna, Florida State, Virginia...
These colleges, for the most part are the BIGGEST Sports story in town...
It's a shame we don't have more fans and tailgates due to the virus, or I think you would be seeing just how great these rivalries could be.
So that being said, we should seriously consider a divisional change moving forward...
South Tampa Florida Nashville Dallas Carolina Columbus St Louis Washington
East NY Rangers NY Islanders Pittsburgh Flyers NJ Devils Detroit Chicago Minnesota
North Toronto Montreal Boston Buffalo Ottawa Winnipeg Edmonton Calgary
West Vancouver Colorado Seattle Vegas Anaheim LA Kings Sharks Arizona
What say you?
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 5, 2021