Capitals Future Division Oppenets

 With the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg almost a done deal, the Caps will have a new division opponent in the 2012-2013 season the question is, which team, from the western conference will replace the Thrashers in the southeast division.  I have 3 candidates in mind:

Nashville Predators:  The Preds seem like the most geographical pick despite, the travel will be a little bit far far from Nashville to DC, but every team in the southeast has a far ride to DC.  I also like the Preds, because they seem to be an up in coming team, in the league.  If they can re-sign Pekka Rinne, the franchise will have made a huge step in building a winner in Nashville and possibly could compete with the Caps and Tampa in a few years.  We also saw, this playoffs, that Nashville has the potential to be a great fan base.  Go figure Tennessee as a hockey state. 

Columbus Blue Jackets: Its pretty weird that a team in Ohio is in the western conference and that's why the Jackets will be considered.  The Jackets will basically replace the Thrashers talent wise as they have one star, in Rick Nash, and that's it.  Basically the Jackets will just be another doormat to the Caps and Lightning.  Geographically this will make no sense to put this team in the southeast division as it would be long travels for every other team in the division. 

Detroit Red Wings: Same reason why the Blue Jackets will be considered, a city that is in the eastern time zone has no business being in the western conference. On the other hand, it makes no sense to put a team from Detroit in the southeast division.  Then again the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC east for a while. Red Wings already have a great rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks and have a new found one with the San Jose Sharks and those rivalries will be ruined if they are moved.  I also don't want the Red Wings in our division because that means playing them 6 times a year instead of 1 or 2 times a year.  With how well that organization is run Detroit will always be competitive and competing for the Cup every year. 

Overall I think Nashville will fit the best.  Nashville also fits the mold of being a newer franchise.  The Caps are the only team, in the division, that existed or is in there current city before 1990.  But as we know Gary Bettman is the commissioner and he rarely makes a smart move.