GSBrooks13 204 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) Linky: http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/06/22/nhl-maps-out-major-changes?utm_source=sharing&utm_medium=addThis&utm_content=NHL+maps+out+major+changes OTTAWA - The NHL could be ready to make drastic changes with a major realignment for the 2012-13 season.Two league executives told QMI Agency Wednesday that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presented a proposal during Tuesday’s board of governors meetings in New York to scrap the current format used by the league. Sources say under Bettman’s proposal, the league will have four divisions: Pacific, Midwest, East and South. It’s believed the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets would both get their wish to move to the East conference. Changes need to be made with the Atlanta Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg now official. The two conferences and six divisions will be kept this year, but Bettman is pushing for a major change. The realignment is by no means final. It’s still in the discussion stages. Teams would play a balanced 82-game schedule with home-and-home against teams outside their division. The top four teams in each division would make the playoffs. The first round would be divisonal play, the teams would then re-seed for conference play. Bettman’s idea would not affect a East-West Stanley Cup final matchup. With 30 teams, one division in each conference will have eight squads while the other will have seven. Under the current format — two conferences and six divisions — division winners and the top five teams make the playoffs. “Nobody is happy with the current format so I would expect something like this is going to be adopted,” said a league executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Interesting proposal in my mind.. Thoughts? EDIT: PS. You should click the link anyways just to see the picture they chose of Bettman.. haha Edited June 23, 2011 by GSBrooks13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I approve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladdy16 2,154 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I am shocked that Bettman would even consider letting the Wings move East. That puts all of the top-draw teams in one Conference. I'm wondering what Western Conference teams will have to say about the biggest road draw not being there anymore; will they protest because attendance will decrease or will they breathe a sigh of relief not having Wings "home" games anymore? 1 Jasper84 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I'm not sure why he'd move both Detroit and Columbus to the East, while just one team is going West. The conferences would be slightly imbalanced, but that's the way it was back in the 1980's, the East had one more team than the West. He's even going back to the 4 divisions. It'd be better if he gave those divisions meaningful names like Patrick, Norris, Smythe and Adams. I like it and for once I'm hoping Gary gets his way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I'm with a few others, I am little shocked that he would let the Wings move East and the fat that he would move both Columbus and the Wings east. Like the article said, a lot of people aren't happy with the format. I approve of this "proposed realignment" but I have my doubts with regards to the Wings getting to move East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I would love a four division league and bring back the old names!!! I love when trophy names have history tied to them! That is what makes the Stanley cup the best trophy, the history, the uniqueness. A "World Championship trophy" with some sticks and a puck (Like NBA, MLB or NLF) would not have the same luster. Bring back that history to the divisions! Hell lets go back to Wales and Campbell conferences too. 2 T.Low and xtrememachine1 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Din758 371 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Still undecided if I like the Wings in the East. I love the fact that certain nights I can goto the bar and see the Wings at 1030 and watch until about closing time. On the other hand I know how difficult the travel is for playoffs and reg. season. So I guess it comes down to me being selfish or not... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,914 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I'd like to see the teams in their divisions. It is weird to think that with only one team moving west, to have two go east... There would have to be another going west, you would think....but who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Do my eyes deceive me?!? Bettman doing something right?!?! :yowza: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingZNut13 99 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I'd like to see the teams in their divisions. It is weird to think that with only one team moving west, to have two go east... There would have to be another going west, you would think....but who? Wouldn't Winnipeg move out West? That's why I think it's weird to send two teams West and send one team East. That was my understanding but I could be wrong and probably will be wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,789 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I want the Wings to move East, but I want to see what the exact divisions are before I can decide whether I like it or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I'm not sure why he'd move both Detroit and Columbus to the East, while just one team is going West. The conferences would be slightly imbalanced, but that's the way it was back in the 1980's, the East had one more team than the West. He's even going back to the 4 divisions. It'd be better if he gave those divisions meaningful names like Patrick, Norris, Smythe and Adams. I like it and for once I'm hoping Gary gets his way. I was just thinking the same thing as I read the article. Interesting concept and, while it will no doubt be refined and tweaked, I could see it going through. Also, that picture rules. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I want the Wings to move East, but I want to see what the exact divisions are before I can decide whether I like it or not. My guess is that the Northeast, Detroit, Columbus and maybe part of the Atlantic will be the East division. Most of the Atlantic and the Southeast will be the South division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viperar 16 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I like this a lot, wow bettman doing something right...feels dirty 1 stevkrause reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Also, that picture rules. Looks like he's still got something in his eye after a little "one-on-one" time with Crosby....if ya know what I'm sayin' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 This does bring an interesting question, what could we expect these divisions to be? I tried my best at guessing, based on geography - but obviously the South division would be a pretty liberal name as far as that goes. Midwest Minnesota Wild Chicago Blackhawks St. Louis Blues Dallas Stars Colorado Avalanche Phoenix Coyotes Nashville Predators Pacific Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks Vancouver Canucks Winnipeg Jets Edmonton Oilers Calgary Flames East Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Ottawa Senators Montreal Canadiens Buffalo Sabres New York Rangers Boston Bruins South Tampa Bay Lightning Florida Panthers Carolina Hurricanes Washington Capitals New Jersey Devils Philadelphia Flyers Columbus Blue Jackets New York Islanders Obviously things get a pretty ambiguous when it comes to the South in my breakdown, as I wasn't really sure what would qualify a team to be considered 'South'. In a breakdown like this, I feel like it makes a lot more sense to have Columbus play in the Midwest division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I like this a lot, wow bettman doing something right...feels dirty Yea, no kidding, I was thinking the same thing... but gotta give credit where it's due, no matter how dirty it makes one feel inside... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Din758 371 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 East Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Ottawa Senators Montreal Canadiens Buffalo Sabres New York Rangers Boston Bruins We would f*** that division up 4 Cheveldae32, PrairieDawg, lookalive07 and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 The problem is the statement that each conference would have one division with 8 teams & one with 7. I would assume that the East & South divisions would be in the Eastern Conference and Midwest & Pacific in the Western. If that's the case & both Detroit & Columbus move to the Eastern, that means moving an existing Eastern team over in addtion to Winnipeg. To do that, you would have to move a team futher east than either Detroit or Columbus over. I don't see that happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Could be worse. Don't like the changes to playoff format though. 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 The problem is the statement that each conference would have one division with 8 teams & one with 7. I would assume that the East & South divisions would be in the Eastern Conference and Midwest & Pacific in the Western. If that's the case & both Detroit & Columbus move to the Eastern, that means moving an existing Eastern team over in addtion to Winnipeg. To do that, you would have to move a team futher east than either Detroit or Columbus over. I don't see that happening. Yeah, with Detroit and Columbus moving there would be 8 teams in each 'Eastern' conference and 7 teams in the 'West'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,789 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) This does bring an interesting question, what could we expect these divisions to be? I tried my best at guessing, based on geography - but obviously the South division would be a pretty liberal name as far as that goes. South Tampa Bay Lightning Florida Panthers Carolina Hurricanes Washington Capitals New Jersey Devils Philadelphia Flyers Columbus Blue Jackets New York Islanders Obviously things get a pretty ambiguous when it comes to the South in my breakdown, as I wasn't really sure what would qualify a team to be considered 'South'. In a breakdown like this, I feel like it makes a lot more sense to have Columbus play in the Midwest division. Therein lies the problems. There's too many teams in the Northeast to put them in any other division. New Jersey New York Isles New York Rangers Pittsburgh Philly Boston Ottawa Montreal Toronto Buffalo Washington That's 11 teams not separated by much in terms of geographical difference. Now that I think about it, the current format actually makes more sense, despite my wishes to have the Wings move conferences. Edited June 23, 2011 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Therein lies the problems. There's too many teams in the Northeast to put them in any other division. Now that I think about it, the current format actually makes more sense, despite my wishes to have the Wings move conferences. A re-alignment is far overdue and I think the real solution is balanced travel, with divisions spread out not by geography, but by making all travel equal. Either way, at least this proposal is an improvement from the current one... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,789 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 A re-alignment is far overdue and I think the real solution is balanced travel, with divisions spread out not by geography, but by making all travel equal. Either way, at least this proposal is an improvement from the current one... The travel will never be equal in between conferences, because there's always going to be less travel in the East. I'm almost inclined to say that there should be two Conferences, no divisions, 15 teams per conference, with the top 8 making the playoffs in each Conference. The Wings would move East, while Winnipeg would move West. That seems simple enough, and the Western teams would all do equal travel amongst themselves, with there being no divisional format. 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted June 23, 2011 To really throw things up in the air, here's my take regardless of the whole talk of Detroit & Columbus moving to the Eastern... East Division (EC) Boston Montreal Ottawa NY Rangers NY Islanders New Jersey Phily Pittsburgh South Division (EC) Washington Carolina Tampa Bay Florida Nashville St. Louis Dallas Midwest Division (WC) Buffalo Toronto Detroit Columbus Chicago Minnesota Winnipeg Pacific Division (WC) Edmonton Calgary Vancouver San Jose LA Anaheim Phoenix Colorado Share this post Link to post Share on other sites