NHL Conference Realignment

[solbes]

Nice, we are finally getting out of the Northwest division. Looks like the NHL decided to finally switch from the current two conference, six division setup to a four conference setup. If approved by the NHLPA, this would start next year. Link to Strib story below:

Strib NHL Realignment

New Conference Setup:

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

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

Conference C: Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto

Conference D: Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington

So unless I'm reading this wrong, no more East and West. Also we have 8 teams in Conf B (and Conf A) as opposed to Conference C/D with 7. So a little harder to make the playoffs. But not that much harder; the top four teams from each conference make the playoffs. We still have 4 rounds overall to Stanley Cup.

Overall I really like the teams in our new conference vs current Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado. Thoughts?

[OnAFly]

Finally I can watch a road game and still function at work the next day!

This is huge for Leopold. I bet he saves a million in flights. I'm happy about it just because we wind up with better geographical rivals. There's now a possibility for me to go to a divisional road game.

[RK]

I'm pretty surprised that common sense prevailed here. Sounded like the Eastern Conference teams were really not up for making any changes. But this just makes so much more sense for the whole league. Will be great to renew the rivalry with Chicago and St Louis. I mean, I like seeing the Wild beat the Nucks or Flames, but it's not the same as a regional rival. Not to mention no more 9PM starts for division road games.

Best part though is 1st two rounds of the playoffs are in your own conference. That's where rivalries REALLY get established.

All in all - good call by the league for once.

Cheers,

RK

[hoppe56307]

Nice, we are finally getting out of the Northwest division. Looks like the NHL decided to finally switch from the current two conference, six division setup to a four conference setup. If approved by the NHLPA, this would start next year. Link to Strib story below:

Strib NHL Realignment

New Conference Setup:

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

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

Conference C: Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto

Conference D: Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington

So unless I'm reading this wrong, no more East and West. Also we have 8 teams in Conf B (and Conf A) as opposed to Conference C/D with 7. So a little harder to make the playoffs. But not that much harder; the top four teams from each conference make the playoffs. We still have 4 rounds overall to Stanley Cup.

Overall I really like the teams in our new conference vs current Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado. Thoughts?

I thought when I read the ESPN artical it thought it said that the NHLPA did not have to approve this but they will let them look at it and make suggestions. But I have been wrong before.

[Bear55]

Hallelujah! Thank you NHL. Good point RK, first two inter conference playoff rounds will be brutal. New levels of rivalries/hate will soon form and make for some great hockey.

[solbes]

Good link I found showing maps of the old vs new conference alignments. Looks so much better.

Maps

[bucketmouth64]

I heard Nanne say a while back something about some teams relocating because of poor attendance, namely Phoenix, Dallas, Tampa Bay. He said Stars are really struggling attendance wise and losing money. Modano was the face of the team. League wouldn't mind seeing a team relocate to Seattle. What's gonna happen now if more teams need to relocate? Where do they go so it doesn't upset the balance with this new alignment.

[spearchucker]

Finally I can watch a road game and still function at work the next day!

Gonna be an early morning tomorrow. 9:30 start time tonight in San Jose.

[solbes]

I caught the Leopold interview right before the Sharks game last night. He said we are at the 1/3 point in the season and have not played a SINGLE road game in our own time zone!

This change is gonna be awesome. Very few games on the far west. Intra-conference road games will either be 6 pm (Detroit & Columbus) or 7 pm (Winnipeg, Chicago, Nashville, St Louis, and Dallas).

[OnAFly]

I think the only team that got the shaft in this was Winnipeg. They got clustered in with all American teams. That's a lot of border travel to deal with, especially if they get back to backs crossing the border.

[solbes]

Yeah good point. The other 2 conferences ith Canadian teams have 3 each. Winnipeg all on their own.

They are probably still in the Cinderella mode, like we were at first when the Wild started up. Just happy to finally have a team again. Plus I bet the NHL told them to bide their time if they want to eventually move just as we were.

[toughguy]

He said Stars are really struggling attendance wise and losing money. Modano was the face of the team. League wouldn't mind seeing a team relocate to Seattle.

Let's just contract them and rename the wild the Northstars please.

[toughguy]

It would be nice if they brought back some of the old division/conference names from the past like Smythe, Norris, wales, campbell etc. It was a mistake to get rid of those historic names IMO