46 replies to this topic

[puckbags]

Here is a new update on realignment by Pierre Lebrun

 

http://espn.go.com/b...nment-is-coming

 

Conference A 
Anaheim 
Calgary 
Colorado 
Edmonton 
Los Angeles 
Phoenix 
San Jose 
Vancouver 

Conference B 
Chicago 
Columbus 
Dallas 
Detroit 
Minnesota 
Nashville 
St. Louis 
Winnipeg 

Conference C 
Boston 
Buffalo 
Florida 
Montreal 
Ottawa 
Tampa Bay 
Toronto 

Conference D 
Carolina 
New Jersey 
New York Islanders 
New York Rangers 
Philadelphia 
Pittsburgh 
Washington 

 

Sorry I didn't include the new conferences in the original..here they are.

Edited by puckbags, 12 February 2013 - 07:45 PM.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

Interesting.

[The Axe]

Id shift Nashville and Columbus East first. Then Id shift Calgary and Edmonton into Conference B. Then Id add Portland and Seattle to Conference A.

32 teams.

[joshy207]

These are the divisions that were proposed in late 2011.  Another ESPN article, just tweeted in the last hour, says there will be minor tweaks to that proposal, i.e. a few teams will be moved around.

[puckbags]

Id shift Nashville and Columbus East first. Then Id shift Calgary and Edmonton into Conference B. Then Id add Portland and Seattle to Conference A.

32 teams.

 

I'm confused..those teams don't exist

[Jedi]

Here's a map of the proposed alignment.  As joshy pointed out, this is the exact same as proposed in 2011.

 

 

For the record, I think there's some positives about the proposed realignment, and some negatives.  Less travel, especially in the playoffs would be a huge plus (would only have to travel as far as Dallas/Winnipeg for the first two rounds).  However, by default, this proposal is harder for the "western" teams, since they have 8 teams per "division" as opposed to the east, which only has 7.

[DyingAlive]

Yeah, this was the proposal that was rejected by the NHLPA. So I would expect changes. I am not really sure how the realignment goes from here.

 

The 4 conference system worked, but I just feel like having uneven conferences screws the teams that are in those conferences. Just like the MLB and their NL Central AL West scenario, it was stupid that the teams in the Central had a lesser chance of making the playoffs just because they were unfortunate in placement.

[Pskov Wings Fan]

Yeah, this was the proposal that was rejected by the NHLPA. So I would expect changes. I am not really sure how the realignment goes from here.

 

The 4 conference system worked, but I just feel like having uneven conferences screws the teams that are in those conferences. Just like the MLB and their NL Central AL West scenario, it was stupid that the teams in the Central had a lesser chance of making the playoffs just because they were unfortunate in placement.

 

As far as I know NHLPA did not reject last proposal based on its merits but because they were not consulted. It is unclear if players have any issue with the realignment.

[dobbles]

As far as I know NHLPA did not reject last proposal based on its merits but because they were not consulted. It is unclear if players have any issue with the realignment.

 

i think thats a valid point. i also feel like the players wanted to reject it just to show their strength going into the labor negotiations.

[frankgrimes]

The NHL has a real talent in overlooking the obvious:

PA rejected this proposal for good reasons and now they are comingf back with the exactly same one? Unbelievable.

Sent from my BlackBerry

[evilmrt]

Looks good, I think that the two Florida teams will not be in Conference C....That's just stupid, and I can't see any other reason to make tweaks other than that...and am I the only one that thinks Nashville is out of place in that conference?

[CrimsonFlame]

I don't like any situation at all where there are an unequal number of teams in divisions or conferences.  It's not fair and it should not be encouraged.  If they want four conferences they need to either add two teams or get rid of two. 

[Richdg]

I don't like any situation at all where there are an unequal number of teams in divisions or conferences.  It's not fair and it should not be encouraged.  If they want four conferences they need to either add two teams or get rid of two. 

Contract the yotes and 1 more. Stay at 28 teams. Expand the rosters to 25 so the union don't *****.

[Z Winged Dangler]

Finally i would get to see another Wings game in Winnipeg. Only been like 17 years...

[hooon]

The uneven numbers just doesnt work.

[evilmrt]

The uneven numbers just doesnt work.

 

What about having a best-of-three Wild Card mini-playoff in the two smaller conferences that would determine the bottom seed?

[Buppy]

The NHL has a real talent in overlooking the obvious:

PA rejected this proposal for good reasons and now they are comingf back with the exactly same one? Unbelievable.

Sent from my BlackBerry

 

They're not making the same proposal. The article just gave the details of the previous one because it's believed the new one will be similar with a few tweaks.

[Euro_Twins]

What about having a best-of-three Wild Card mini-playoff in the two smaller conferences that would determine the bottom seed?

 

well bettman does follow the tweets, and reads the blogs and fan sights... so, SUCK IT BETTMAN

[evilzyme]

So why don't they do this.... divisions 1 + 2 that form 16 teams equal the "western conference", divisions 3 + 4 that form 14 teams equal the "eastern conference".... then, just equal it out and make the western and eastern sitting at 15 and 15. Trade a team closest, that wouldn't make the traveling outrageous and call it a day. Obviously it isn't that easy (or atleast, they... would've done it, right?!) but each "conference" currently has 15 and 15... sigh this just isn't my forte, i'll shut up.

[hockey&beer]

If I recall, one reason the NHLPA rejected the proposal was that they were not given ample time to research the travel aspect of the realignment. If that is the case, then there is ZERO chance this will fly.