Which Division is Tops?

One point of contention I always enjoy debating concerns which division is the best in the NHL. The debate changes every season as each team, and by extension, division, endures some degree of changes and moves further along, or backward, in their maturation process.

Starting from the bottom, here's how I'd rank the six NHL divisions.

6. Southeast Division

- Commonly referred to as the "South-Least Division," this division has remained in the NHL cellar for a while now. Here's a quick breakdown of this division's recent playoff appearances:

2008-2009: 2
2007-2008: 1*
2006-2007: 2
2005-2006: 2

*Keep in mind the one team that actually made the playoffs from this division, the Washington Capitals, garnered only 94 points - the same amount as the eighth place Boston Bruins.

However, it is true that the Southeast Division could lay claim to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2004 (Tampa Bay Lightning) and the year after the lockout in 2006 (Carolina Hurricanes).

Although this division is certainly improved this season, they are still far removed from being what one could term a strong division. Of their three current playoff hopefuls - the Caps, Lightning, and the Atlanta Thrashers - expect no more than two of these teams to find themselves engaged in spring hockey.

5. Northeast Division

- The Northeast Division has found itself in the midst of a downward spiral. The Battle of Ontario has lost much of its luster, the Ottawa Senators window of opportunity to win a cup has closed, and the division's top returning team, the Boston Bruins, has started a bit slow out of the gate (though injuries have had much to do with it).

In fact, they are nearly neck-and-neck with the Southeast for the title of worst division in hockey.

Once considered one of the tougher divisions in hockey, the Northeast Division has struggled mightily here in the first quarter of the '09-'10 season.

4. Northwest Division

- Looking at the teams in the Northwest Division, it's hard to find a team that you can get really excited about.

The Calgary Flames possess an excellent defense and a top-end tender, but looking at their offense - does anyone really think these guys will be able to manufacture enough offense come playoff time? Same story for the Vancouver Canucks, although the playoffs are certainly not a given for this B.C. team. The Colorado Avalanche have been a nice story with their hot start, but they are very young and get out shot nearly every game. The Edmonton Oilers are very "eh," while the Minnesota Wild have less talent than nearly every team in the league.

Although this division is far from weak, their top teams have too many holes in their games. A Cup champ from this division in '09-'10 is very unlikely.

3. Pacific Division

- The Pacific Division possesses the top regular season team in the league (San Jose Sharks), three greatly improved teams compared to a season ago (Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars), and one floundering team that still boasts some of the top players in the league (Anaheim Ducks).

Simply put, no coach, player, or fan likes when their squad is playing against the teams in this division. The Sharks are simply better than you, the Kings and Coyotes employ super-tight defensive game plans than will stymie you, the Stars are far from a bunch of "nice guys," and nearly every game they play is a one or two goal game which will have you pulling out your hair, and the Ducks, well, no one enjoys playing against the Ducks' old school physical style of play (until they are on the power-play for half of the game) which will leave you black and blue.

2. Central Division

- The Central Division has a great blend of quality teams. You have the perennial Cup contending Detroit Red Wings, a soon-to-be perennial Cup contender in the Chicago Blackhawks, the up-and-coming Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues, and the always tough to be play Nashville Predators.

In '08-'09 the Central Division featured four playoff teams, five of the top ten teams in the Western Conference, and a Conference Final that featured two Central Division teams (the Wings and Hawks).

The Central Division had a great season in '08-'09. The future could be even brighter.

1. Atlantic Division

- Coming into this season, I would've probably given the slight edge to the Central over the Atlantic Division as the top division in hockey. But with the very impressive play of the Jacques Lemaire coached New Jersey Devils and the surpisingly solid start of the New York Islanders, it's clear that there is no better division than that of the Atlantic.

In each of the past three seasons the Atlantic Division has featured four teams in the playoffs. The division features elite goaltending (Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc-Andre Fleury, a resurgent Ray Emery, and a vastly underrated Dwayne Roloson) and a plethora of star power upfront, as well (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Zach Parise, Marian Gaborik, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and John Tavares).

Not to mention, they possess last year's Stanley Cup Champions (Pittsburgh Penguins), and for my money, this year's Cup favorite (Philadelphia Flyers).

The Atlantic Division is an all-around force.