Central Division (NHL)
Encyclopedia
The NHL
's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference
in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division
.
The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.
Stanley Cup
Presidents' Trophy
Teams in bold are currently in the division.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division
Norris Division
The NHL's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference in 1981, with the Detroit Red Wings being the only member to remain from the previous season. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. The...
.
The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.
Current lineup
- Chicago BlackhawksChicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
- Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
- Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- St. Louis Blues
1993–1996
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Dallas Stars
- Detroit Red Wings
- St. Louis Blues
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Winnipeg Jets
Changes from the 1992–1993 season
- The Central Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment
- The Minnesota North Stars move to Dallas, Texas to 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 1995–1996 season
- The Winnipeg Jets move to Phoenix, Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes
Changes from the 1997–1998 season
- The Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes move to the Pacific Division
- The Toronto Maple Leafs move to the Northeast Division
- The Nashville Predators were added as an expansion team
2000-present
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Detroit Red Wings
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
Changes from the 1999–2000 season
- The Columbus Blue Jackets were added as an expansion team, playing their first game in October, 2000.
Division Champions
- 1994 - Detroit Red Wings1993–94 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 1993–94 Detroit Red Wings season saw the Red Wings finish in first place in the Central Division with a record of 46 wins, 30 losses, and 8 ties for 100 points...
(46–30–8, 100 pts) - 1995 - Detroit Red Wings1994–95 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 1994–95 Detroit Red Wings season was the Red Wings' 72nd season. The Red Wings started the 1994–95 season strong, and finished it strong, going 33–11–4 for 70 points in 48 games. Having the league's best regular-season record, they were awarded the Presidents' Trophy...
(33–11–4, 70 pts) - 1996 - Detroit Red Wings1995–96 Detroit Red Wings seasonWith their 62 wins, the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings eclipsed the all-time record of most regular-season wins, which had been set at 60 by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens. Their 131 points during the regular season were the most since the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens accumulated 132 points...
(62–13–7, 131 pts) - 1997 - Dallas Stars1996–97 Dallas Stars season-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning...
(48–26–8, 104 pts) - 1998 - Dallas Stars1997–98 Dallas Stars seasonThe 1997–98 Dallas Stars season was Star's fifth season. The aspect of the season was winning the Presidents' Trophy.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...
(49–22–11, 109 pts) - 1999 - Detroit Red Wings1998–99 Detroit Red Wings season-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltendingNote: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals;...
(43–32–7, 93 pts) - 2000 - St. Louis Blues (51–19–11–1, 114 pts)
- 2001 - Detroit Red Wings2000–01 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2000–01 Detroit Red Wings season was the 75th season of the Detroit franchise in the NHL. The Red Wings qualified for the playoffs by finishing first in the Central Division, and were second-overall in the Western Conference...
(49–20–9–4, 111 pts) - 2002 - Detroit Red Wings2001–02 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2001–02 Detroit Red Wings season was the 76th National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings scored 116 points, winning the Central Division, their third Presidents' Trophy, and home ice throughout the playoffs...
(51–17–10–4, 116 pts) - 2003 - Detroit Red Wings2002–03 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2002–03 Detroit Red Wings season was the 77th National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings scored 110 points, winning the Central Division, but just one point behind the Dallas Stars for the Western Conference's first seed....
(48–20–10–4, 110 pts) - 2004 - Detroit Red Wings2003–04 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2003–04 Detroit Red Wings season was the 78th National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. Despite multiple injuries to key players, the Wings found themselves once again winning the Presidents' Trophy for having the best regular season record in the NHL, scoring 109 points...
(48–21–11–2, 109 pts) - 2005 - no season (NHL Lockout)
- 2006 - Detroit Red Wings2005–06 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2005–06 Detroit Red Wings season was the 80th National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings once again found themselves having the best regular season record, scoring 124 points for the second highest point total in franchise history....
(58–16–8, 124 pts) - 2007 - Detroit Red Wings2006–07 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2006–07 Detroit Red Wings season was the 81st National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings entered a new era, following the retirement of longtime captain Steve Yzerman after 22 seasons in the NHL, all with Detroit...
(50–19–13, 113 pts) - 2008 - Detroit Red Wings2007–08 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2007–08 Detroit Red Wings season began October 3, 2007, against the Anaheim Ducks. It was the franchise's 82nd season in the National Hockey League, 76th as the Red Wings.Key dates prior to the start of the season:...
(54–21–7, 115 pts) - 2009 - Detroit Red Wings2008–09 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2008–09 Detroit Red Wings season saw the Detroit Red Wings attempt to defend their Stanley Cup title, but they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 7 games in the Stanley Cup Finals, the team they defeated in the finals the previous season...
(51–21–10, 112 pts) - 2010 - Chicago Blackhawks2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks seasonThe 2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season is the club's 84th season in the National Hockey League . The season began on October 2, 2009; with a pair of games against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland; and ended on June 9, 2010; when the Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2,...
(52–22–8, 112 pts) - 2011 - Detroit Red Wings2010–11 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2010–11 Detroit Red Wings season is the 85th season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on September 25, 1926.-Off season:...
(47–25–10, 104 pts)
Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
winners produced
- 1997 - Detroit Red Wings1996–97 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 1996–97 Detroit Red Wings season was the 71st National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The highlight of the Red Wings season was winning the Stanley Cup, their first since 1955....
- 1998 - Detroit Red Wings1997–98 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings season was the 72nd National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The highlight of the Red Wings season was winning the Stanley Cup.-NHL Draft:-Sergei Fedorov's Holdout:...
- 2002 - Detroit Red Wings2001–02 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2001–02 Detroit Red Wings season was the 76th National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings scored 116 points, winning the Central Division, their third Presidents' Trophy, and home ice throughout the playoffs...
- 2008 - Detroit Red Wings2007–08 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2007–08 Detroit Red Wings season began October 3, 2007, against the Anaheim Ducks. It was the franchise's 82nd season in the National Hockey League, 76th as the Red Wings.Key dates prior to the start of the season:...
- 2010 - Chicago Blackhawks2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks seasonThe 2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season is the club's 84th season in the National Hockey League . The season began on October 2, 2009; with a pair of games against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland; and ended on June 9, 2010; when the Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2,...
Presidents' TrophyPresidents' TrophyThe Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
winners produced
- 1995 - Detroit Red Wings1994–95 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 1994–95 Detroit Red Wings season was the Red Wings' 72nd season. The Red Wings started the 1994–95 season strong, and finished it strong, going 33–11–4 for 70 points in 48 games. Having the league's best regular-season record, they were awarded the Presidents' Trophy...
- 1996 - Detroit Red Wings1995–96 Detroit Red Wings seasonWith their 62 wins, the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings eclipsed the all-time record of most regular-season wins, which had been set at 60 by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens. Their 131 points during the regular season were the most since the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens accumulated 132 points...
- 1998 - Dallas Stars
- 2000 - St. Louis Blues
- 2002 - Detroit Red Wings
- 2004 - Detroit Red Wings
- 2006 - Detroit Red Wings
- 2008 - Detroit Red Wings
Central Division titles won by team
| Team | Number of Championships Won | Last Year Won |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
13 | 2011 2010–11 Detroit Red Wings season The 2010–11 Detroit Red Wings season is the 85th season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on September 25, 1926.-Off season:... |
| Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
2 | 1998 1997–98 Dallas Stars season The 1997–98 Dallas Stars season was Star's fifth season. The aspect of the season was winning the Presidents' Trophy.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending... |
| St. Louis Blues | 1 | 2000 |
| Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
1 | 2010 2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season The 2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season is the club's 84th season in the National Hockey League . The season began on October 2, 2009; with a pair of games against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland; and ended on June 9, 2010; when the Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2,... |
| Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
0 | – |
| Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
0 | – |
Teams in bold are currently in the division.
See also
- Adams DivisionAdams DivisionThe NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins...
- Norris DivisionNorris DivisionThe NHL's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference in 1981, with the Detroit Red Wings being the only member to remain from the previous season. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. The...
- Patrick DivisionPatrick DivisionThe Patrick Division of the National Hockey League was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division moved to the Prince of Wales Conference in 1981. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Lester Patrick...
- Smythe DivisionSmythe DivisionThe NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....
- Atlantic Division (NHL)Atlantic Division (NHL)The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...
- Northeast Division (NHL)Northeast Division (NHL)The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
- Northwest Division (NHL)Northwest Division (NHL)The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
- Pacific Division (NHL)Pacific Division (NHL)The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
- Southeast Division (NHL)Southeast Division (NHL)The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....