Interesting. Let me take this from a structure and alignment standpoint, because otherwise my ideal NHL would just be a list of seasons and "Stanley Cup Champions: Philadelphia Flyers" ad infinitum. I'll also pick up with a POD in 1982, so the NHL would look like this to start:
Smythe: Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Vancouver
Norris: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, Toronto, Winnipeg
Patrick: Islanders, Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
Adams: Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Quebec, Montreal
Now, the POD here involves the Colorado Rockies. I'm not going to stop them from failing, but I am going to find an alternate bidder for the team. Instead of selling the Rockies to John McMullen's group, I'm going to sell them to Kenneth Schnitzer, the former owner of the Houston Aeros, and resurrect that team. From 1982-1990, the NHL would look like this:
Smythe: Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Norris: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, Toronto, Houston
Patrick: Islanders, Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
Adams: Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Quebec, Montreal
This prevents the insane logjam along the Northeast Corridor that developed OTL, with three teams in Greater NYC plus one in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. It also gives St. Louis a team to the south in their division, which would likely develop into a strong rivalry. Speaking of the Blues, I'm going to make one change to their fate: In 1983, instead of Ralston Purina abandoning the team and almost selling them to Saskatoon, or having them contracted, I'm going to spark a slightly stronger sense of civic pride in August Busch III. Anheuser Busch purchases the Blues, leaving them on solid financial footing, and permanently aligned with the Cardinals.
In 1991, the Gunds will, as OTL, attempt to move the North Stars, and the league would, as OTL, instead create the San Jose Sharks. However, instead of Norm Green winning control of the team, Howard Baldwin and Morris Belzberg end up owning the franchise. (This necessitates new ownership in Pittsburgh in 1991; for the sake of argument, Norm Green becomes a minority partner in the Penguins, along with Eddie DeBartolo; the team will be owned by Paul Martha, who had wanted to buy the franchise but lost out to B&B.)
In 1992, the league expands by two teams: the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Tarpons. (Butterfly: Instead of the Esposito brothers bid being successful, they fail to replace the Pritzkers in time, and the Karmanos/Rutherford bid wins out. Butterfly from this: there is no counterbid for the Whalers, so the team is sold to William F. Dowling, the former EVP of the Yankees.)
1992's NHL looks like this:
Smythe: Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver, Winnipeg
Norris: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, Toronto, Houston
Patrick: Islanders, Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Washington
Adams: Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Ottawa, Quebec, Montreal
1993 goes as OTL: Disney and Blockbuster want in, Disney and Blockbuster are rich, Disney and Blockbuster get in. The league realigns to East and West.
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver
Central: Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, St. Louis, Winnipeg
Atlantic: Islanders, Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Washington
Northeast: Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto
From 1995-1997, the league still has to deal with the cratering of the Canadian dollar, but this time, they work with the teams more, and several owners who had happy feet are in different locations. Baldwin and Belzberg have to sell the North Stars, but they find a willing buyer in Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who moves the team into the Target Center. The Winnipeg Jets turn a miracle, and get the new stadium Barry Shenkarow was begging for; they remain in Canada. Marcel Aubut ends up selling the Nordiques, but to Pierre Péladeau, then-owner of Quebecor, who again was taken by that same space bat spirit of civic pride that captured Auggie Busch.
By the late 90s, the league is feeling the pressure pass, and they've managed to avoid any team movement. Now they're looking to reach the big 3-0, and they have plans. Oh, yes, they have plans alright.
In 1997, the NHL announces that they're planning on expansion to 30 teams by the year 2000, and they've selected their four teams. Given the alignment of the league, with 12 teams in the West and 14 in the East, they have prioritized Western expansion, and will be relocating Detroit to the Northeast Division to enable their western push.
1998 sees the introduction of their second Texas team, the Dallas Texans. In 1999, the Seattle Metropolitans enter the league; Barry Ackerley, then owner of the Sonics, begins his negotiations with Howard Schultz early, freeing up money to bid on the Mets and add an additional tenant to Key Arena. In 2000, the league adds the Phoenix Coyotes (based in Scottsdale) and the Colorado Rapids.
The NHL as of 2001:
Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver
Central: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Minnesota, St. Louis, Winnipeg
Atlantic: Islanders, Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Washington
Northeast: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Hartford, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto
Moving into the Centennial Season, the league has decided that they want to expand out to 32, four divisions of 8 teams each. After a round of bidding, the league receives the strongest interest from Las Vegas and Atlanta, and they proudly announce the introduction of the Las Vegas Silver Knights and the Georgia Peaches. The league, seeing the difficulty of putting a PTZ team in the Central, with MTZ teams in the Pacific, switches Calgary and Edmonton with Colorado and the new Vegas team.
The NHL in 2017:
Pacific: Anaheim, Colorado, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver
Central: Chicago, Calgary, Edmonton, Dallas, Houston, Minnesota, St. Louis, Winnipeg
Atlantic: Islanders, Rangers, Florida, Georgia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Washington
Northeast: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Hartford, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto