NHL Re-Alignement

[Joshison 1]

They were trying to maintain the regional/divisional rivalries and they had to put the two Florida teams together somewhere.

Also there's a ton of former North East people living down there. For instance the Rays games are packed with RedSox fans when the two play.

[chippa13 1844]

I dont like how Tampa and Florida are going to have to travel alot more than they usually do. I was thinking the NHL should of put Winnipeg in the Central division and move Nashville in the southeast division.

Nashville has built some playoff history against the likes of the Red Wings and Blackhawks. Leaving them in the Central allows you to build on that.

[Stoop 1]

I really like it at first glance. Four true conferences, where you have to play through and be the best in your conference -- and then the final four. You still get every team visiting, but the playoff race is totally focused down on your seven/eight teams.

Sounds like they aren't totally set on reseeding for the final four; I wouldn't be surprised if they decide not to reseed, and thus keep a roughly East versus West final. It wouldn't really bother me either way.

The Florida teams are interesting...placing them with Boston and Montreal means that you have 3 conferences with big geographical footprints, and one that is much smaller. They should make that conference use buses.

And sure they could add two more teams. Or they could also easily dump two.

[Chadd 916]

And sure they could add two more teams. Or they could also easily dump two.

There is a chance that the league will contract by two teams. That chance is slightly less than zero, assuming the economy doesn't tank even worse than it has the last couple years.

[chippa13 1844]

I would be shocked if contraction happened. Obviously, the NHLPA would vehemently fight against it.

[Steve_v3 289]

I would be shocked if contraction happened. Obviously, the NHLPA would vehemently fight against it.

That would be the smartest move but I don't think they will. I would be willing to bet they would put teams in lousy markets.

[ibeck 38]

Listening to Scott Howson and Gary Bettman video clips a couple of times it sounds like every team would have a problem with the situations that were presented for a new format. According to them this format causes the least amount of problems. Guess we'll see how it works out.

Anyone else hear this new format took an hour to complete?

[wrangler 157]

That's what I read, about an hour, but that's after how many months, how many phone calls, and how many emails and arguments? They had it down to two possibilities, I read, and chose one. The real work was already done by the time they got there.

[ibeck 38]

The real work was already done by the time they got there.

Never hearing any news before the did this made it seem like this was a brand new idea and they got it done during break from the links.

[pbhockey4 0]

I wish the AHL would do the same its rediculous all of the teams dont play eachother.

[Jason Harris 31]

That would be the smartest move but I don't think they will. I would be willing to bet they would put teams in lousy markets.

I don't buy the argument that contraction would be the smartest move. Maybe it would take a relocation, but I think if they could get a team or two into wealthy enough/large enough areas of Canada, suddenly the league seems pretty solid. Admittedly, I only watch the B's games, but the quality of play has been pretty good. I haven't seen any 2-1, 25-shots-total games; the flow has been good, goalies have been good. I see empty seats at times, but that's probably more due to nearly three years of high unemployment than dissatisfaction with the game.

[chippa13 1844]

I wish the AHL would do the same its rediculous all of the teams dont play eachother.

Travel costs is one of the biggest factors in the AHL schedule.

[pbhockey4 0]

Travel costs is one of the biggest factors in the AHL schedule.

Yea thats true actually.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Yea thats true actually.

Ask Abbotsford and St. John's about travel expenses...I believe they are also responsible for part of the visitors cost because of the long trips/flights.

[jrhky36 1]

the yotes will be in qubec city or hamilton within 5 years if not sooner. that is why the "east" has only 2 7 team conferences. the league (gary bettmen) wanted to please all the owners. the wings are the biggest draw in the "western conference". for some ofhte teams in the west the only sell outs are when the wings come to town. det should have gone into a conference with buf, tor, mont, bost, ott. the part of all this is how are they going to reseed for the semis and the finals. the fla teams got jobbed in this as they should be with carolina. i think that tweeks to all this will happen at some point.

[chippa13 1844]

The Florida teams didn't get jobbed. They got helped by having more games with the teams from New York and Boston, places where much of Florida's part-time population hail from.

Most likely the seeding for the semi-finals and Cup finals will be decided like they have been for ages, regular season points. That should be a no-brainer.

As for the Coyotes, the league will do everything in its power and then some to keep them in Phoenix. With Atlanta relocating this year, the league doesn't want to have another "non-traditional" team moving anytime soon. They don't want to set a precedent that will wind up killing other "non-traditional" markets. Part of the reason that the Coyotes struggle at the box office is because of the continuous ownership and location questions. People don't latch onto a team that might not be there next year or the year after and the constant rumours and such that pour out of Canadian cities clawing at the Coyotes don't help.

[pizzakid13 5]

That's not really the issue. Having lived in Phoenix from 2001-06' it's about transplants. The city is made up of mostly people from somewhere else(like me). So there is no local affiliation with the team. Plus, when the team relocated to Glendale, they abandoned over 50% of their season tix base. For those not familiar with Phoenix, Glendale is all the way to the west side of the city. The majority of the season tix holders lived in east valley. It's a big haul to get there.

[5 Minute Major 1]

realignment rejected.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=384427

or puts it on hold....

[EBondo 233]

Should be interesting, first backtrack in the CBA negotiations.

[natbat 0]

I am so dissapointed with the NHL and NHLPA. Its seems that nothing can be done in the league without a fight. If the majority befits then do it! I personaly see it as a good idea overall.

[Law Goalie 147]

Pissing contest, not actual dissent. The NHLPA will approve this in time for next season; they simply (and rightly) don't like that Bettman tried to do it without consulting them, and now Bettman is taking the opportunity to explore what he can and can't push through over the objections of the PA.

[Axxion89 32]

I got a baaaaaad feeling about this

Don't like Fehr at all and Bettman is mentally challenged, just going to pray this doesn't lead to a lockout/delay of the season