We've been hearing rumblings for over a year now and after the NHLPA rejected the NHL's proposal last year it seems as if they're about to reach an agreement on realigning the league into four separate conferences:
The top four from each conference would make the playoffs and play against each other.. The conference champions would then play in some sort of final four from there.
Interesting thing here is it leaves room for a couple relocation and expansion moves like Phoenix moving to Seattle and expansion into Quebec City and Toronto area.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/22010/rest-easy-winnipeg-realignment-is-coming
The NHL’s new realignment plan for next season could become reality within two to three weeks.
The league in conjunction with the NHL Players’ Association has worked diligently over the past two weeks on realignment, including a meeting in Toronto Tuesday morning between the two sides.
"The last two weeks we’ve been in constant communication with the NHLPA on realignment issues," deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN.com Tuesday. "We’ve been exchanging information and we’re trying to get to a resolution as soon as possible." The NHLPA, through a spokesman, confirmed that there has been communication between the sides over the last two weeks, adding that it is committed to continuing to work with the league in an effort to reach an agreement.
Conference A
Anaheim
Calgary
Colorado
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver
Conference B
Chicago
Columbus
Dallas
Detroit
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg
Conference C
Boston
Buffalo
Florida
Montreal
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Conference D
Carolina
New Jersey
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
The top four from each conference would make the playoffs and play against each other.. The conference champions would then play in some sort of final four from there.
Interesting thing here is it leaves room for a couple relocation and expansion moves like Phoenix moving to Seattle and expansion into Quebec City and Toronto area.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/22010/rest-easy-winnipeg-realignment-is-coming