Central Division (NHL)

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. It is the only division with 7 teams, the other 3 in the league having 8.

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

Season results

Green background denotes qualified for playoffs

Stanley Cup winners produced
1997—Detroit Red Wings
1998—Detroit Red Wings
2002—Detroit Red Wings
2008—Detroit Red Wings
2010—Chicago Blackhawks
2013—Chicago Blackhawks
2015—Chicago Blackhawks

Presidents' Trophy winners produced
1995—Detroit Red Wings
1996—Detroit Red Wings
1998—Dallas Stars
2000—St. Louis Blues
2002—Detroit Red Wings
2004—Detroit Red Wings
2006—Detroit Red Wings
2008—Detroit Red Wings
2013—Chicago Blackhawks
2018—Nashville Predators

Central Division titles won by team

Teams in bold are currently in the division.

References

NHL History

National Hockey League
1993 establishments in North America