Jump to content
Slate Blackcurrant Watermelon Strawberry Orange Banana Apple Emerald Chocolate Marble
Slate Blackcurrant Watermelon Strawberry Orange Banana Apple Emerald Chocolate Marble

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Allsmokenopancake

TSN reporting NHL thinking of going to 4 divisions

Recommended Posts

As a caps fan, getting back into a divisions with the flyers and rags would be great, would love the pens there too, but can't complain about this

The NHL has been trying for weeks to tinker with its schedule configuration, but is now considering a significant overhaul of the face of the league that includes realignment and a reduction in the number of divisions from six to four.

Nothing is carved in stone at this point, but the NHL is floating an aggressive trial balloon to its governors for consideration. Earlier this week, six club executives, (a mix of governors, teams presidents and GMs), representing the six current divisions met in New York with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and brainstormed to produce a new-look alignment and schedule that they're taking back to other clubs in their respective divisions for feedback.

If there's enough support for it - 20 of the 30 governors would have to approve it - the changes that would take effect next season could be approved at a board meeting during the NHL All-Star Game festivities in Dallas in late January.

Sources tell TSN the proposal includes the following:

A reduction in the number of divisions from six to four. There would still be an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference, but there were would one eight-team division and one seven-team division in each conference.

The top two teams in each division would be guaranteed the top four playoff seeds within the conference with four wild card playoff berths going to the teams with the next highest point totals.

The four new divisions would be configured primarily along the lines of time zones. The theory is not only would this benefit teams in terms of travel, but could also boost TV ratings because game times in the same time zone would be more favorable.

The current Northeast Division (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo and Boston) would remain intact and add two other teams to form a seven-team division. Sources say Pittsburgh is one of those teams that would join the Northeast teams.

The current Atlantic Division (the three New York area teams plus Philadelphia) would be melded together with four teams from the current Southeast Division (all but one of Washington, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Florida).

The eight-team division in the Western Conference would feature all teams in Pacific or Mountain time zones (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Colorado and Phoenix).

The seven-team division in the Western Conference would feature teams that are in either the Central or Eastern time zones.

As for the schedule, it is said to be a little more complicated than it currently is, because of the uneven number of teams in the divisions, but each team will apparently play its division rivals six times each and its conference rivals either three or four times each and non-conference teams once each.

The theory is there will be some reduction in travel because of the geographic alignment by time zone, but every team will see every team at least once over the course of the season.

It will be interesting to see what feedback is provided by the various clubs as the schedule has become a hot-button issue with many teams.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm all for it...as a West Coast guy I think our teams have a disadvantage due to the heavy travel schedule. Time to get the East Coasters to spend a few more hours on airplanes. Not to mention I'm getting tired of watching the same teams over and over again.

The tough part is getting the East Coast teams to agree to the change.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Pacific? The New North East has the potential to all make the playoffs. Especially if the new reports that Detroit would join along with Pitts is true.

That would give: Toronto, Boston, Buffalo, MTL, Ottawa, Det, Pitts

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Smythe, Norris, Patrick and Adams. DO IT.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

I'm down if it means we get to see Eastern teams in the west more often...It's ridiculous right now.

Exactly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Smythe, Norris, Patrick and Adams. DO IT.

everything old is new again.

It would be nice to see them throw a bone to traditionalists. Because it's the right thing to do, it won't happen. I'll guess Dodge, RBK, Directv and cold-fx as the new division names.

The Pacific? The New North East has the potential to all make the playoffs. Especially if the new reports that Detroit would join along with Pitts is true.

That would give: Toronto, Boston, Buffalo, MTL, Ottawa, Det, Pitts

Leaving Chicago as the only original 6 team in the west. I still think moving Detroit to the East is shortsighted. Moving Pittsburgh to the new NE also seems like a ploy to get Crosby playing against Canadian teams more often.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That "ploy" doesn't make alot of sense if they are trying to grow the sport in US markets.

I also heard a claim that Toronto would move to the west as soon as CLB made the playoffs to even out the divisions. That was the initial deal when TOR went to the East apperantly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think its pretty much a garuntee that if Detroit wants to move to the East they will get the chance before Columbus. Id say a 85 year old franchise gets a little more pull then a 6 year old one..

Pull to do what they want? If the NHL feels it's best CLB moves, thats who would go. I don't know why Detroit would even want to move to the East.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think its pretty much a garuntee that if Detroit wants to move to the East they will get the chance before Columbus. Id say a 85 year old franchise gets a little more pull then a 6 year old one..

Pull to do what they want? If the NHL feels it's best CLB moves, thats who would go. I don't know why Detroit would even want to move to the East.

Less travel, they've been trying to do it for years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As much as I like seeing the oilers/flames play, I could live without seeing it eight times in a year, I wanna see crap changed!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...