If the NHL wants to remain on Canadian national TV in the future, they may have no choice but to adopt this format:
Central:
Chicago
Columbus
Detroit
Minnesota
St. Louis
7 games against each division rival (7*4 = 28), 2 games against everyone else (2*27 = 54)
East:
Boston
Buffalo
New Jersey
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
5 games against 6 division rivals and 4 against the remaining division rival (5*6 = 30 + 4 = 34), 2 games against everyone else (2*24 = 48)
North:
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Vancouver
Winnipeg
6 games against 2 division rivals and 5 games against 4 division rivals (6*2 = 12, 5*4 = 20, 12+20 = 32), 2 games against everyone else (2*25 = 50)
South:
Carolina
Dallas
Florida
Nashville
Tampa Bay
7 games against each division rival (7*4 = 28), 2 games against everyone else (2*27 = 54)
West:
Anaheim
Colorado
Los Angeles
San Jose
Seattle
Utah
Vegas
6 games against 2 division rivals and 5 games against 4 division rivals (6*2 = 12, 5*4 = 20, 12+20 = 32), 2 games against everyone else (2*25 = 50)
The playoffs would see the top 4 teams in each division qualify for a Shaugnessy playoff. After the American teams conduct the first two rounds of their playoffs, the playoff winners of the Central, East, South, and West divisions are seeded 1-4 based on regular season record. Once the American semifinals are determined, the North Division begins their playoffs. The winners of the American semifinals and the North Division playoffs meet for the Stanley Cup.
Remember back when the NHL had no American teams, a Canadian team was always guaranteed to represent them in the Cup Finals.