Central Division (NHL)

The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment. Its predecessor was the Norris Division. As part of the 2013 realignment, the Central Division expanded into 7 teams. It is also one of two successors to the Northwest Division. Three of its teams—Minnesota, Nashville, and Winnipeg (as the Atlanta Thrashers) — joined the NHL in the league's last phase of expansion between 1998 and 2000. The fourth team in that group, the Columbus Blue Jackets, are no longer part of the Central Division.

The Central Division has sent five teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs on six different occasions. In the first three seasons after the most recent realignment in 2013, Central Division teams occupied both Wild Card playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Division lineups

1993–1996

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Dallas Stars
• Detroit Red Wings
• St. Louis Blues
• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Winnipeg Jets

Changes from the 1992–93 season

• The Central Division is formed as the result of NHL realignment
• The Minnesota North Stars move to Dallas, Texas, and become the Dallas Stars
• The Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the Norris Division
• The Winnipeg Jets come from the Smythe Division

1996–1998

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Dallas Stars
• Detroit Red Wings
• Phoenix Coyotes
• St. Louis Blues
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Changes from the 1995–96 season

• The Winnipeg Jets move to Phoenix, Arizona, to become the Phoenix Coyotes

1998–2000

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Detroit Red Wings
• Nashville Predators
• St. Louis Blues

Changes from the 1997–98 season

• The Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes move to the Pacific Division
• The Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Northeast Division
• The Nashville Predators are added as an expansion team

2000–2013

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Detroit Red Wings
• Nashville Predators
• St. Louis Blues

Changes from the 1999–2000 season

• The Columbus Blue Jackets are added as an expansion team

2013–Present

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Colorado Avalanche
• Dallas Stars
• Minnesota Wild
• Nashville Predators
• St. Louis Blues
• Winnipeg Jets

Changes from the 2012–13 season

• The Northwest Division is dissolved due to NHL realignment
• The Columbus Blue Jackets move to the Metropolitan Division
• The Detroit Red Wings move to the Atlantic Division
• The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild come from the Northwest Division
• The Dallas Stars come from the Pacific Division
• The Winnipeg Jets come from the Southeast Division

Division Champions

• 1994—Detroit Red Wings (46–30–8, 100 pts)
• 1995—Detroit Red Wings (33–11–4, 70 pts)
• 1996—Detroit Red Wings (62–13–7, 131 pts)
• 1997—Dallas Stars (48–26–8, 104 pts)
• 1998—Dallas Stars (49–22–11, 109 pts)
• 1999—Detroit Red Wings (43–32–7, 93 pts)
• 2000—St. Louis Blues (51–19–11–1, 114 pts)
• 2001—Detroit Red Wings (49–20–9–4, 111 pts)
• 2002—Detroit Red Wings (51–17–10–4, 116 pts)
• 2003—Detroit Red Wings (48–20–10–4, 110 pts)
• 2004—Detroit Red Wings (48–21–11–2, 109 pts)
• 2005—no season (NHL Lockout)
• 2006—Detroit Red Wings (58–16–8, 124 pts)
• 2007—Detroit Red Wings (50–19–13, 113 pts)
• 2008—Detroit Red Wings (54–21–7, 115 pts)
• 2009—Detroit Red Wings (51–21–10, 112 pts)
• 2010—Chicago Blackhawks (52–22–8, 112 pts)
• 2011—Detroit Red Wings (47–25–10, 104 pts)
• 2012—St. Louis Blues (49–22–11, 109 pts)
• 2013—Chicago Blackhawks (36–7–5, 77 pts)
• 2014—Colorado Avalanche (52–22–8, 112 pts)
• 2015—St. Louis Blues (51–24–7, 109 pts)
• 2016—Dallas Stars (50–23–9, 109 pts)
• 2017—Chicago Blackhawks (50–23–9, 109 pts)

Season results

• Green background denotes qualified for playoffs

Stanley Cup winners produced

1. 1997—Detroit Red Wings
2. 1998—Detroit Red Wings
3. 2002—Detroit Red Wings
4. 2008—Detroit Red Wings
5. 2010—Chicago Blackhawks
6. 2013—Chicago Blackhawks
7. 2015—Chicago Blackhawks

Presidents' Trophy winners produced

1. 1995—Detroit Red Wings
2. 1996—Detroit Red Wings
3. 1998—Dallas Stars
4. 2000—St. Louis Blues
5. 2002—Detroit Red Wings
6. 2004—Detroit Red Wings
7. 2006—Detroit Red Wings
8. 2008—Detroit Red Wings
9. 2013—Chicago Blackhawks

Central Division titles won by team

Teams in bold are currently in the division.

References

• NHL History