Earlier today, the Toronto Raptors announced that they will begin the upcoming NBA season in Tampa after their request to play at their home arena was denied by the Canadian government. Because of the travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, it always seemed impossible for the Raptors—the league’s lone Canadian franchise—to be hosting American-based teams in Toronto. A long quarantine is still required when you enter the country, meaning the logistics of holding NBA games was going to be incredibly difficult.
In the NHL, however, there may be a way around those difficulties. The league includes seven Canadian-based teams, meaning they could play each other in a realigned divisional structure to start the regular season. The seven teams are based all across the country, but would theoretically not need to quarantine between cities—though this is certainly not a guarantee, especially given Toronto’s increased restrictions today.
The idea of an All-Canadian division has been speculated about since the beginning of the offseason, with the general consensus being it would be necessary to get through the 2020-21 season. Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver would be battling it out to be “King in the North.”
If that division does happen this season, who does it benefit? Which team would be the ultimate winner, and who would face an even more difficult task?
The Canucks, Oilers, and Flames all already play each other in the normal Pacific Division, but none of them were able to top the Vegas Golden Knights this year for the first seed. Perhaps if they get away from the expansion powerhouse, they would be even more successful.
The Maple Leafs, Senators, and Canadiens are in the same boat, battling in a tough Atlantic Division that also included two of the league’s best teams. The Boston Bruins had the best record in the NHL when the season was put on pause, while the Tampa Bay Lightning won it all in the bubble. Getting away from the Bruins especially might be a blessing for the Maple Leafs as they try to finally get over the first-round hump.
Or perhaps it’s the lone Central Division team in Winnipeg who would get the biggest boost. The Jets have been an excellent squad for the last several years, but are in a powerhouse of a division with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars all finishing ahead of them in the standings this year. Sure, the other Canadian teams may not be pushovers, but all seven Central teams were included in the 24-team postseason bubble, with the last-place Blackhawks even upsetting the Oilers in the qualification round.
Perhaps who gets the biggest boost is too tough to answer, given the changing rosters all around the league. But if an All-Canadian division does happen, who will come out on top? Make your prediction below and jump into the comment section to explain your thoughts!
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Vancouver is best set for long term success. Toronto might be good for another couple years, but I think vancouver will own canada for a while after that
Shorter season with Price and added fire power make the Habs lol strong
Stars and scrubs does not a contender make. Canucks have tons of work to do before I take them seriously. They have a poor defence, Markstrom is gone, and their bottom 6 is a tire fire.
Gotta go with the Habs best goalie tandem, most forward depth and one of the stronger d core
1 Toronto. 2.Montréal 3.Edmonton 4.Calgary 5.Winnipeg 6.Vancouver and 7. Ottawa
I’m surprised so many think Montreal will be up there. Let’s not forget had the pandemic not happens, they’d be closer to a lottery team than a playoff team. Winning one series shouldn’t vault them ahead of Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary, and maybe even Winnipeg.
Let’s not forget the injuries Montreal had during the regular season either, we all saw how good of an offseason Bergevin had IMO best in the nhl. Edmunson is a very underrated pickupi wish my leafs had have got someone like him, Habs fans are going to love Anderson and toffoli could be the best signing of the bunch. In a condensed season Allen definitely won’t hurt either. The playin round showed when healthy what the Habs can do. besides Brodie I’m not very pleased on what dubas has done, since he took over the team has declined and the Thornton,spezza and Simmonds signings are pretty much meaningless we need defensive minded forwards not past their prime that are willing to sign for cheap.
I’m not high on Edmundson or Anderson at all so that might be a factor, but I did like the Toffoli and Allen pickups. I just don’t think it’s enough to turn them into a contender, but who knows. Maybe Kotkaniemi or Anderson will break out.
Bob Mackenzie said a lot of teams were interested in edmunson that’s why Bergevin jumped the gun and traded for his rights, he was the canes best dman In the playoffs he’s really tough to play against
Montreal and Toronto will have to play against much better Canadian teams then the ones that were in their division last season. No more freebie’s from teams like Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa and Florida.