46 replies to this topic

[Euro_Twins]

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.

 

I thought the PA requested more information about the proposal (playoff situations, travel, and other stuff like that) and the NHL took forever to send it over, by the time they did send it it was right before the PA's vote so they voted to reject it.

[Jedi]

Why the NHLPA rejected NHL's 2012-2013 realignment plan. - by Greg "Puck Daddy" Wyshynski (from Jan. 6th, 2012)
 

So why did the NHLPA refuse to endorse this plan, besides a clear disregard for the league's rights? Simple: They felt realignment was unfair and inconsiderate to the players; they weren't given a chance, in their eyes, to help create it; and it communicated that the NHLPA isn't going to be shoved around now or during the CBA talks.

 

 

According to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, the NHL didn't include the NHLPA in the formation of the realignment plan because there was no mandate in the CBA to do so. So the league created the plan, the Board of Governors passed it and the dare was made: Go ahead, kill off something that the majority of hockey teams, fans and media deemed a positive move for the NHL.

 

And the "long and short of it"...

 

Basically, the NHLPA felt that this realignment plan was created by and for the owners, and not in the best interests of the players. And when they reached out to attempt to reshape the plan to better serve their interests, that input was rejected, according to one source.

[drumnj]

I don't understand why they can't just make it an easy fix with how the current system is setup.  No adding/removing teams, no odd number conference/divisions.  Unless they figure out some goofy 3 conference playoff system, stick with what is currently in place.

 

 

Dallas, Minnesota and Colorado could rotate divisions if need be.

Edited by drumnj, 13 February 2013 - 12:15 PM.

[Crymson]

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.

 

It was noted openly by several players, Lidstrom included, that the NHLPA was not OK with the 8/7 disparity.

[Travis]

I don't understand why they can't just make it an easy fix with how the current system is setup.  No adding/removing teams, no odd number conference/divisions.  Unless they figure out some goofy 3 conference playoff system, stick with what is currently in place.

 

 

Dallas, Minnesota and Colorado could rotate divisions if need be.

 

Geographically, this alignment makes sense, but I know there has been a lot of talk about keeping divisional rivalries in tact. 

[drumnj]

keeping divisional rivalries in tact. 

Who cares, old rivalries prior to the 98-99 season were lost (and before that, 93-94).  Teams get better or worse (playoff match-ups), players of rival teams are traded away or retire.  New rivalries can always be made.

[CrimsonFlame]

I don't understand why they can't just make it an easy fix with how the current system is setup.  No adding/removing teams, no odd number conference/divisions.  Unless they figure out some goofy 3 conference playoff system, stick with what is currently in place.

 

 

Dallas, Minnesota and Colorado could rotate divisions if need be.

I still think it would be a lot easier to just move Winnipeg into the Northwest, bump Minnesota to the central and Nashville down to the southeast. 

[evilmrt]

I still think it would be a lot easier to just move Winnipeg into the Northwest, bump Minnesota to the central and Nashville down to the southeast.

Not a bad idea, but Minnesota and Winnipeg want a rivalry. And it makes sense geographically.

[shoobiedoobin]

This could be why the league is so desperate to keep the Yotes in PHO. They'd rather expand to somewhere like QC or Seattle rather than move PHO. Because then you don't get the fat expansion fee and you still have an uneven league if you want 4 conferences. But it's obviously a bandaid that has to be ripped off eventually. May as well move the Yotes now and start looking at expansion in two new cities.

[Euro_Twins]

I don't understand why they can't just make it an easy fix with how the current system is setup.  No adding/removing teams, no odd number conference/divisions.  Unless they figure out some goofy 3 conference playoff system, stick with what is currently in place.

 

 

Dallas, Minnesota and Colorado could rotate divisions if need be.

 

This layout is actually very good... So expect Bettman not to do it

[Buppy]

I don't understand why they can't just make it an easy fix with how the current system is setup.  No adding/removing teams, no odd number conference/divisions.  Unless they figure out some goofy 3 conference playoff system, stick with what is currently in place.

 

 

Dallas, Minnesota and Colorado could rotate divisions if need be.

 

The only "problem" is the NW division still spans 3 time zones, which is something realignment is trying to correct. However, you can swap Vancouver and Colorado to fix that, though that means longer travel for the Avs.

[GMRwings1983]

The only "problem" is the NW division still spans 3 time zones, which is something realignment is trying to correct. However, you can swap Vancouver and Colorado to fix that, though that means longer travel for the Avs.

 

That's where the Saskatoon Panthers come in.  

[Wings_Dynasty]

The only way for a fair solution is an MLB-like conference set-up. With several teams in every time zone so everyone shares the misery of travel. A fair and balanced realignment based on travel distance and rivalries will not ever work 100% fairly.

 

However, if there is a 30 team, 3 conference (Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux) divison of 10 teams in each, geographically dispersed, it would keep most rivalries and add new ones eventually.

Edited by Wings_Dynasty, 13 February 2013 - 04:37 PM.

[shoobiedoobin]

When it comes to rivalries, screw 'em. You don't build conferences around rivalries, you build conferences around travel and time zones and let rivalries develop. Every rivalry we see now began somewhere, and many have died due to realignment (Det/Tor for example). If some have to go away to make travel easier on everyone so be it. I'm more a fan of genuine rivalries where the players dislike each other anyway, like Det/Col, rather than local stuff only fans care about. Let the chips fall where they may.

Edited by shoobiedoobin, 13 February 2013 - 04:33 PM.

[GMRwings1983]

The only way for a fair solution is an MLB-like conference set-up. With several teams in every time zone so everyone shares the misery of travel. A fair and balanced realignment based on travel distance and rivalries will not ever work 100% fairly.

 

However, if there is a 30 team, 3 conference (Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux) divison of 10 teams in each, geographically dispersed, it would keep most rivalries and add new ones eventually.

 

Isn't it true that in baseball, the western division teams travel more?  I mean, they have to travel across several time zones to play both the central and eastern teams, while, the central and eastern teams only have to travel across multiple time zones when playing against the west.  They don't have to when playing among each other.  

 

Either way, the western teams have to travel more.  

[evilmrt]

The only way for a fair solution is an MLB-like conference set-up. With several teams in every time zone so everyone shares the misery of travel. A fair and balanced realignment based on travel distance and rivalries will not ever work 100% fairly.

 

However, if there is a 30 team, 3 conference (Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux) divison of 10 teams in each, geographically dispersed, it would keep most rivalries and add new ones eventually.

 

You'd have to also implement MLB style game series (2-3 games against one team in one location, consecutively) and true road trips, not this NHL crap where teams fly to Vancouver and then play a game at home, and then go for another distant away game. 

 

When is the last time, during the regular season, that teams played consecutive games in the same arena against the same opponent? 

[Barrie]

I don't understand what's wrong with the current setup.

[Wings_Dynasty]

Isn't it true that in baseball, the western division teams travel more?  I mean, they have to travel across several time zones to play both the central and eastern teams, while, the central and eastern teams only have to travel across multiple time zones when playing against the west.  They don't have to when playing among each other.  

 

Either way, the western teams have to travel more.  

This is true. But as it is teams in the West are have a HUGELY unfair travel sched to teams in the East. This would make it more fair to more teams.

 

You'd have to also implement MLB style game series (2-3 games against one team in one location, consecutively) and true road trips, not this NHL crap where teams fly to Vancouver and then play a game at home, and then go for another distant away game. 

 

When is the last time, during the regular season, that teams played consecutive games in the same arena against the same opponent? 

I am for that. Send the Wings out to VAN to play half the games in the season series consecutively, then return home and have another half series with a visiting team. This would probably boost ticket sales too since fans of other teams could come to DET for a few days and see a couple hockey games with their team, instead of the alternative of flying across country to see 3 hours of one game.

[ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

I don't understand what's wrong with the current setup.

.ask winnipeg whats wrong with it.. lol

[Red Crazy]

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

Hey Man I am with ya on that one! If we could get tickets! lol