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.