NHL Realignment

With the 2011-2012 season underway, naturally it’s time to look ahead to the 2012-2013 season to come.  Some changes are in store and could play a huge impact on the playoff picture.  With the Thrashers’ recent move to Winnipeg, they will of course return to the Western Conference next season.   

This is where the big question comes in to everyone’s minds.  When they move west, who moves east?  The three main choices are Detroit, Nashville, and Columbus.  

If Nashville joined the Eastern Conference they’d likely just fill the vacancy in the Southeast Division left by the now Winnipeg Jets.  

If either the Wings or Columbus moved east, this is where it gets tricky.  One of the teams would have to join either the Northeast or Atlantic Divisions.  The Northeast makes most sense.  Based on seniority n the league, the Wings should have the first choice of whether or not they would like to move out east.  If they don’t, then it makes sense to move Columbus out there and everyone would be happy.  If the Wings choose to go out East, if given the choice, then there in lies the problems that most people find.  

Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants the Wings to move into the their Division.  With 20 consecutive playoff appearances and the winner of their division 16 times since the 87/88 season, the Wings are a powerhouse.  Doing all of that in the superior conference over the last 20+ years would strike fear into the hearts of any team that is in the division the Wings would join.  

So where does the NHL go?  The simplest fix would be moving the Predators into the Southeast division and leave everyone else where the are.  But can you say they are the most deserving of the options?  How do you determine who is the most deserving?  

There is another option...

How about a complete revamp of the division system?  Rather than working with the current 6 division system, what if we moved to a 4 division system.  Two of these divisions would have seven teams, the other two, eight.  By doing this, you pretty much have to do away with the two conference system.  For playoff purposes, I propose that the league almost go to a NCAA basketball approach.  The winners of the 4 devisions would be the #1 seeds.  After the #1 seeds are set, the next best 

12 records would get the remaining playoff spots and be seeded appropriately.  

So, now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, my proposal for these divisions and movements.  

West

Edmonton Oilers

Calgary Flames

Vancouver Canucks

Winnipeg Jets

Colorado Avalanche

San Jose Sharks

L.A. Kings

Anaheim Ducks

South

Phoenix Coyotes

Dallas Stars

Tampa Bay Lightning

Florida Panthers

St. Louis Blues

Nashville Predators

Columbus Blue Jackets

East

New York Islanders

Ottawa Senators

Washington Capitals

Pittsburgh Penguins

Philadelphia Flyers

Carolina Hurricanes

Buffalo Sabres

Original 6 + 2

Detroit Red Wings

Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens

Chicago Blackhawks

New York Rangers

Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota Wild

New Jersey Devils

In my opinion, this would be an amazing change for the game.  This realignment keeps the more heated rivalries in tact, and with the NHL’s policy of having all teams play each other at least once, any rivalry not included would still have at least one game against each other every year. 

Feel free to comment on any changes you think should be made or if you agree with this proposal.