The return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL will create a ripple effect throughout the league with a dramatic realignment for the 2012-13 season as a result, multiple media outlets have reported. Winnipeg, which is the new home of the relocated Atlanta Thrashers, will play the upcoming 2011-12 season in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division despite being 70 miles north of Minnesota. The Jets' division features the Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. With Western Conference teams Detroit, Nashville and Columbus hoping to be relocated to the East, the NHL has opted to realign the entire league rather than shifting Winnipeg, according to the Sporting News. The purveying plan seeks to divide the league into four divisions -- two with eight teams and two with seven teams. The plan will likely be finalized at December's Board of Governors meeting. Commissioner Gary Bettman hinted at changes to come in his annual state-of-the-NHL address before the Stanley Cup finals opener earlier this month. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6706113
The north is fantastic. I would LOVE to play against the Leafs ALL THE TIME.Love me some Classic Six games.
I wouldn't mind that realignment, except that if you put 4 teams from each conference into the playoffs, the south is going to have two really weak representatives. or they could do a wild card system, the top 3 teams from each conference and then the next four best teams to be the wild card guys.
Dont they want to keep eastern teams in the Eastern time zone as much as possible though? Wouldn't that affect the Leafs, Sabres and Sens?
And that... I would be really happy to see #2 done. Ditch the Eastern and Western conference names and come up with something good.