It's Done! BOG approves realignment

[Fitzpatrick'sbeard]

Forked from: Hockey Night in Canada hotstove BOG: Tampa and Florida to move into Sabres division

NorthEast
Sabres
Bruins
Maple Leafs
Senators
Candiens
Panthers
Lightning

Atlantic
Penguins
Flyers
Rangers
Islanders
Devils
Capitals
Hurricanes
Red Wings/Blue Jackets

West
Red Wings/Blue jackets
Blackhawks
Wild
Predators
Stars
Avalanche
Blues

Northwest
Coyotes
Ducks
Sharks
Kings
Canucks
Flames
Oilers
Jets

= coin flip

The makeup of the yet-to-be-named four conferences is as follows:

* New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina

* Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay

* Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg

* Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado

The four conferences are designed to alleviate geographic concerns among several current Western Conference teams that had been unhappy about their extensive travel through one, two, and sometimes even three time zones. Some of those teams argued that the late start of road games in the Pacific time zone were affecting fan interest, especially among younger fans.

The new alignment also enables the NHL to create a balanced schedule in which all teams will play each other at least twice every season, once at home and once on the road, giving fans a chance to see every team and superstar in the League. The remaining games will be played within the conferences.

In the seven-team conferences, teams would play six times -- three home, three away. In the eight-team Conferences, teams would play either five or six times in a season on a rotating basis; three teams would play each other six times and four teams would play each other five times. This process would reverse each season: An eight-team Conference member that plays an opponent six times in one season would play it five times the following season.

The top four teams in each Conference qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first-place team would play the fourth-place team; the second-place team would play the third-place team. The four respective Conference champions would meet in the third round of the Playoffs, with the survivors playing for the Stanley Cup.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604852

Detroit and Columbus stay in their spot, Detroit isn't happy they wanted really badly to move.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Here are some ideas for names of the conferences:

Adams
Norris
Smythe
Patrick

[jamze132]

I like the new plan.

[SabreEleven]

BTW, It's not done, the NHLPA could still screw this up. They have to vote.

[JD]

I like it.

But, I'd make a few changes.

* New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina

* Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus.

* Colorado, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg

* Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton.

***Fold Florida and Tamp Bay completely. Less teams, better product.

[trapezeus]

the sabres lucked out with the two florida teams. i do think it helps the florida teams with attendance. You'll go to see the sabres play in miami once or twice a year in the middle of a cold year.

[SabreEleven]

and Detroit is happy with the realignment. LW is just throwing out assumption again.

Added Detroit General Manager Ken Holland: "From our perspective we think it's a lot better than the current system. We're going to see all the teams in our building at least once. We're going to have more road games on prime time (television). Any of the 15 teams in the Western Conference understand all the travel we've had to go through in playoff series; you're now going to have the first two rounds of the playoffs within your own conference. And, the other thing is come playoff time your road games in playoffs are going to be on (prime-time TV). We played a lot of road games in the playoffs last year in San Jose and Phoenix, and the games were on at 10 or 10:30 at night.

"I would talk to fans and they would watch one or two periods and wake up in the morning to get the score. Six months ago our thought was we wanted to be in the East, but after looking at this alternative … we felt it was a great compromise and I would say that we're happy."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604909

[Fitzpatrick'sbeard]

Here are some ideas for names of the conferences:

Adams
Norris
Smythe
Patrick

man/woman on HF Boards thinks the NHL should name the confrences after the four greats of the game.

Howe
Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux

[OpIv37]

I like it.

But, I'd make a few changes.

* New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina

* Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, Columbus.

* Colorado, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg

* Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton.

***Fold Florida and Tamp Bay completely. Less teams, better product.

You'd voluntarily put Detroit in our division? Why?

I've watched the NHL on and off (mostly on) for the last 20 years and I don't recall the Red Wings ever being bad, and more often than not they're one of the top teams in the league.

I'd much rather play 6 those six games a year against Tampa Bay or Florida. Those teams have good seasons from time to time but can never sustain it.

[G Wolly]

man/woman on HF Boards thinks the NHL should name the confrences after the four greats of the game.

Howe
Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux

That sounds childish to me. Sure, those guys meant a lot to the league and the game, but not like the OGs who helped form the NHL in the first place.

Although Prince of Wales and Campbell Conferences should make a comeback.

[PTI]

man/woman on HF Boards thinks the NHL should name the confrences after the four greats of the game.

Howe
Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux

Pucks
Sticks
Skates
Nets

Actually, I like yours, geographic titles likely don't fit, unless they do:

East (sabres division)
Mid Atlantic

Mid West
West

[DrGraves]

i think its stupid because the teams in the 7-team division have a much better chance of making the playoffs than the 8-team divisions every year. obviously it helps the sabres but i think things should be equal for everyone...

[PTI]

i think its stupid because the teams in the 7-team division have a much better chance of making the playoffs than the 8-team divisions every year. obviously it helps the sabres but i think things should be equal for everyone...

I think it is really the same. Beat the teams in your division more often and you will get in.

[JD]

i think its stupid because the teams in the 7-team division have a much better chance of making the playoffs than the 8-team divisions every year. obviously it helps the sabres but i think things should be equal for everyone...

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the top 2 from each conference make it.. and then the final 8 teams make it based on Overall League Standings

[Skooby]

the sabres lucked out with the two florida teams. i do think it helps the florida teams with attendance. You'll go to see the sabres play in miami once or twice a year in the middle of a cold year.

I'm absolutely estatic about it, many more FL games to enjoy.

[Crisis]

man/woman on HF Boards thinks the NHL should name the confrences after the four greats of the game.

Howe
Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux

Yeah, who wouldn't be ecstatic about the Sabres playing in a division named after a Bruins player? :|