North Division (NHL)

{{dablink|This is about the 2020–21 NHL division and is not to be confused with the Canadian Division that existed from 1926 to 1938, the Northeast Division that existed from 1993 to 2013 or the Northwest Division that existed from 1998 to 2013.}}

{{infobox sports division

| title = North Division

| conference =

| league = National Hockey League

| sport = Ice hockey

| founded = 2020

| folded = 2021

| teams = 7

| champion = Toronto Maple Leafs (1st title)

| most_champs =

}}

The National Hockey League's North Division (branded as Scotia NHL North Division for sponsorship reasons){{Cite web|title=NHL announces four sponsors for new re-aligned divisions|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-announces-four-sponsors-new-re-aligned-divisions/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Sportsnet.ca|language=en}} was one of the four divisions used by the NHL for the 2020–21 NHL season.{{Cite web|date=December 20, 2020|title=NHL teams in new divisions for 2020-21 season|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-teams-in-new-divisions-for-2020-21-season/c-319844882|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=NHL.com}} This division was organized in 2020 as the result of the travel restrictions that had been in place since March 2020 between the Canada–United States border due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Office of the Prime Minister|date=March 20, 2020|title=U.S.-Canada joint initiative: Temporary restriction of travellers crossing the U.S.-Canada border for non-essential purposes|url=https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/pm-covid19-eng.html|access-date=December 20, 2020}}{{cite news |last=McCarten |first=James |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Non-essential travel restrictions at Canada-U. S. border extended to at least Nov. 21 |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/10/19/non-essential-travel-restrictions-at-canada-us-border-extended-to-at-least-nov-21.html |work=The Canadian Press |location=Toronto |access-date=December 20, 2020}}{{Cite web|date=December 9, 2020|title=NHL outlines proposed division realignment for 2020-21 season|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-outlines-proposed-division-realignment-2020-21-season/|access-date=December 20, 2020}} The entirety of the 2020–21 regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs were played between seven Canadian-based teams in the NHL.{{Cite web|date=December 20, 2020|title=NHL announces 56-game 2021 season will start Jan. 13 and realignment with Canadian division|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/nhl-announces-56-game-2021-season-will-start-jan-13-and-realignment-with-canadian-division/|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=CBSSports.com}}

Of the four divisions in 2020–21, the North Division was the only one with a name not previously used by the NHL. It was also the first all-Canadian NHL division to play since the league first expanded into the United States in 1924.

Division lineups

=2020–21=

{{CSS crop

|Location=right

|Description=10px 2020-21 North Division Teams

|bSize=760

|cWidth=310

|cHeight=160

|oLeft=417

|oTop=140

|Content=

{{Location map+ | Canada

| width = 350

| caption =

| places =

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 51.04

| lon_deg = -114.05

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = bottom

| label = Flames}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 53.55

| lon_deg = -113.50

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = top

| label = Oilers}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 45.50

| lon_deg = -73.57

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = right

| label = Canadiens}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 45.30

| lon_deg = -75.93

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = left

| label = Senators}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 43.64

| lon_deg = -79.38

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = left

| label = Maple Leafs}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 49.28

| lon_deg = -123.11

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = top

| label = Canucks}}

{{Location map~ | Canada

| lat_deg = 49.89

| lon_deg = -97.14

| mark = Black pog.svg

| label_size = 80

| position = top

| label = Jets}}

}}

==Changes from the 2019–20 season==

The North Division is formed due to COVID-19 restrictions
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks come from the Pacific Division
The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs come from the Atlantic Division
The Winnipeg Jets come from the Central Division

==Changes from the 2020–21 season==

The division is dissolved as the league returned to previous two conference and four division alignment
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks return to the Pacific Division
The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs return to the Atlantic Division
The Winnipeg Jets return to the Central Division