Northwest Division (NHL)

The National Hockey League's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. The teams in the Pacific Division were split up, with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and the Vancouver Canucks becoming the newly formed Northwest Division. The Minnesota Wild joined the division in 2000 as an expansion team. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981 to 1993.
The Northwest Division existed for 14 seasons until 2013. During that time, it had the greatest distances between teams in the entire NHL.

Division lineups

1998–2000

Changes from the 1997–98 season

The Northwest Division is formed as a result of NHL realignment
The Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks come from the Pacific Division

2000–2013

Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
Edmonton Oilers
Minnesota Wild
Vancouver Canucks

Changes from the 1999–2000 season

The Minnesota Wild are added as an expansion team

After the 2012–13 season

The Northwest Division was dissolved as the league realigned into two conferences with two divisions each. The division's Canadian teams returned to the Pacific Division, while the division's American teams joined the Central Division.

Division champions

Season results

;Notes

The 2012–13 NHL season was shortened to 48 games due to the lockout.

Stanley Cup winners produced

2001 – Colorado Avalanche