Let’s talk names for new NHL divisions

Mar 14, 2013, 10:53 PM | Updated: 10:53 pm

Arizona Sports

In case you haven’t heard, the National Hockey League Board of Directors approved on Thursday a realignment of the league’s 30 teams.

Under the new plan, the Phoenix Coyotes would be in a division with the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. They would also play both an away and a home game against every other team in the league.

While the NHL is busy handling complaints that Eastern Conference teams will have a tougher time making the playoffs than their western compatriots, they haven’t named the new divisions. So far, all we have are A, B, C and D. Original.

Here are some serious (and not so serious) ideas for the new divisions.

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RealityLet's face it: When it comes to fun names, the NHL won't pick 'em. This is what I expect, dull as it may be, because it's easy to follow. Note the lack of a Southeast Division.

Canada's preferenceLook, Canada! No more hockey in a vast majority of America! You can keep all your teams, plus the Original Six AND the Flyers and Penguins! Don't worry, we'll all be just fine without hockey. After all, we have baseball and guns!

OpinionThis one is based on the overall opinion of hockey fans in the division. Some generalities were made. Clearly, Vancouver is hockey crazy, the sport is tradition in other areas and hockey is not a way of life in Florida. Also, the Blue Jackets do not have a rival. You have to win for that to happen.

WeatherHockey is primarily a winter sport, so why not make it easy for fans unfamiliar with the sport and name the divisions by seasonal weather? Yes, I'm aware that I'm biased towards the West Coast. If that's a problem, grab your coat, shovel some snow, de-ice a plane and come tell me. I'll be by the pool.

LegendsThis idea has been floated around, and I'm kind of a fan. Instead of giving the divisions boring names, honor some NHL legends and name the divisions after them. The problem: Some of these names don't really roll off the tongue when talking standings and no Coyotes fan wants to be reminded of the Gretzky years.

1, 2, 3, 4Hey, if A, B, C, D works, why not just go to numbers? Some people can't spell all that well.

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