to move up and down
PHEW. Now the Jets don’t have to spend 75% of their lives on a plane. The NHL confirmed their plans for realignment today, and now the Jets are in the Western Conference, which will cut down on their travel. Detroit is finally in the east … where they belong. (Photo: Trevor Hagan/The Canadian Press)
Stars don’t align
The NHL’s bold plan to move to four conferences has been delayed after the National Hockey League Players’ Association denied to approve the new structure.
The NHL board of governors approved the new format at a meeting last month, but needed the consent of the union to move on. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Dally said Friday that after four weeks of negotiation with the players, the league has concluded it can’t satisfy the union’s concerns quickly enough to get a schedule in place for next season.
“It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players,” Daly said in a news release.
The NHLPA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
NHL realignment
Here’s what the four new conferences look like, but they don’t have names yet. Thoughts? Chloe Cushman/National Post
Realigning the stars
The National Hockey League will have a new look next season after the board of governors agreed to a new alignment on Monday which will see teams divided into four conferences.
The current Eastern Conference, which features three divisions, will be divided into two new conferences. In essence the existing Southeast Division will be broken up and spread between the other two current divisions. Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston and Buffalo will be joined by Florida and Tampa Bay in a new conference.
The New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey will welcome Carolina and Washington.
Out west, Detroit, Columbus, St. Louis, Nashville and Chicago will be joined by Minnesota, Winnipeg and Dallas.
The remaining teams in the current Northwest and Pacific divisions will merge into a new conference. It will feature Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Colorado, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose and Phoenix.
The relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg in the off-season necessitated the NHL to take a look at its divisional alignment. (Photo by Todd Korol/Reuters)
