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.