The Blackhawks will face off with a new Central Division rival in 2021.
The NHL Board of Governors unanimously voted Tuesday to approve the expansion application from the NHL Seattle group to bring the yet-to-be-named team to the league for the 32nd franchise at the start of the 2021-22 season.
In addition, the Board of Governors approved a divisional realignment that will see the Arizona Coyotes move into the Central Division, making way for the new Seattle franchise to play in the Pacific Division.
There are currently eight teams in the Pacific Division, including the Coyotes, and seven in the Central Division. The Coyotes will stay in the Pacific Division until Seattle enters the league.
The Blackhawks and Coyotes have met just once in the playoffs during the first round in 2012. The Coyotes took the series 4-2 then dispatched the Predators 4-1 before falling to Kings 4-1 in the Western Conference Final.