NHL Conference Realignment

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

What I would have liked to see is the conference idea abolished or have 4 conferences. I liked the idea of the 4 division/conference winners to play randomly with the winners meeting for the cup.

But I will take this. It is better than before.

Probably will happen if NHL gets a system where both west and east are balanced. With the east likely to get two new teams in the future though, probably won't occur.

What's interesting is that if Seattle and KC get teams, the NHL will be a 34 league team if by some miracle Phoenix actually stays put. Considering NHL is a sport that multiple teams in both US and Canada, it should be the league with the most teams.

[GGG]

To me this looks like the league is planning to move phoenix to seattle rather than quebce.

[Resolute 14]

Current Standings, "Pacific"

1. Anaheim     22GP 35Pts
2. Vancouver   23GP 28Pts
3. Los Angeles 22GP 26Pts
4. San Jose    22GP 26Pts
5. Phoenix     24GP 25Pts
6. Calgary     21GP 22Pts
7. Edmonton    23GP 21Pts

Old system or new, the next three games will go a long way toward determining our playoff changes.

[slybomb]

I am glad they changed it up compared to the first proposal where we had 8 in our division. I think it is only fair that the Western Conference have less teams considering their travel schedule is far worse. Once their is expansion, it will be best though.

[PlayfulGenius]

I still prefer the old divisional playoff format... It seems to me he rivalries were more fierce back then.

[PeteMoss]

Shocked that some people are up in arms about this. It seems fairly reasonable to me.

The West gets the easier playoff odds and the harder travel schedule.

[Zarley]

As a fan I love the new arrangement. Good riddance to Minny, and I'm indifferent to Colorado. I always enjoy match-ups against the California teams and prefer the games with a later start time. Divisional playoffs are going to be fun to watch as well - I was too young to remember the last time but from all accounts it was some of the best hockey ever.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Current Standings, "Pacific"

1. Anaheim     22GP 35Pts
2. Vancouver   23GP 28Pts
3. Los Angeles 22GP 26Pts
4. San Jose    22GP 26Pts
5. Phoenix     24GP 25Pts
6. Calgary     21GP 22Pts
7. Edmonton    23GP 21Pts

Old system or new, the next three games will go a long way toward determining our playoff changes.

The other division in the West would look like this

1. Chicago 24GP 45Pts
2. Dallas 23GP 26Pts
3. St. Louis 23GP 26Pts
4. Minnesota 22GP 24Pts
5. Nashville 23GP 23Pts
6. Winnipeg 23GP 23Pts
7. Colorado 22GP 20Pts

So as it stands, Calgary would be in a battle with Phoenix and Minesota for the wildcard race with games in hand. Interesting.

Now if Phoenix moves to Seattle, it seems like the Pacific division would be natural rivalry central. I don't like the uneven divisions at all, but I do like the teams in our division.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Zarley

As a fan I love the new arrangement. Good riddance to Minny, and I'm indifferent to Colorado. I always enjoy match-ups against the California teams and prefer the games with a later start time. Divisional playoffs are going to be fun to watch as well - I was too young to remember the last time but from all accounts it was some of the best hockey ever.

I don't think this proposal includes divisional playoffs... Someone please correct me if I'm incorrect... It would be dumb of it does, with the wildcards involved.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I don't think this proposal includes divisional playoffs... Someone please correct me if I'm incorrect... It would be dumb of it does, with the wildcards involved.

Yes it does. The wildcard just makes it possible for a 5th team to crossover and take the 4th spot in the other division if they have more points.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Zarley

Yes it does. The wildcard just makes it possible for a 5th team to crossover and take the 4th spot in the other division if they have more points.

They could BOTH cross over.

#1 division winner vs wildcard #2
#2 division winner vs wildcard #1

[MissTeeks]

Approved by Board of Governors:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138

Neat little map at the bottom

[Roof-Daddy]

Flames are 4-8-1 against their new divisional opponents this season.

...and 0-5-1 on the road, being out scored 25-6 in the process.

That's a one sided beat down if I ever saw one.

Going to have to figure out to play hockey on the coast, and the desert or this new divisional alignment is going to be painful for us.

[MissTeeks]

Tom Gulitti‏@TGfireandice

Board of Governors vote was overwhelmingly in favor of realignment, near unanimous.

[calgaryred]

I like the changes except the crossover rule, it punishes the 1st place team, im sure Chicago will be happy in a division playoff format to have to travel to L.A, Vancouver, or Phoenix for a playoff game because of the crossrule. While everyone else is playing series that is a shorter flying distance.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Approved by Board of Governors:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138

Neat little map at the bottom

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Tom Gulitti‏@TGfireandice

Board of Governors vote was overwhelmingly in favor of realignment, near unanimous.

Here is the map. Division names are not finalized.

[PlayfulGenius]

I hate the crossover ... Why bother with divisional playoffs, then? Boo!

TBL and FLA being with the NE teams is just ridiculous as well.

Other than hose 2 points, I like it.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I hate the crossover ... Why bother with divisional playoffs, then? Boo!

TBL and FLA being with the NE teams is just ridiculous as well.

Other than hose 2 points, I like it.

TBL and FLA get big draws when TOR and MTL come to town so it does make more sense to be in that division. Its a shorter travel distance then the Flames division

[Locke]

Yeah, whats the deal with Florida and Tampa there? That seems weird.

[ken0042]

I'm also a big fan of every team playing each other at least twice. Which means every NHL team will play in Calgary next year.