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. After the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights to the Pacific Division in 2017, the Central Division is currently the only division in the NHL without eight teams.

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.

Current standings

Division lineups

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)
• 2018—Nashville Predators (53–18–11, 117 pts)

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
10. 2018—Nashville Predators

Central Division titles won by team

Teams in bold are currently in the division.

References

• NHL History