NHL looking at realignment for 2012-2013

[TrueOrange]

reportedly

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.

"All those clubs need an opportunity to be heard," Bettman said. "That's a process we'll go through the first half of next season, looking at the issues that clubs want to raise, looking at various possibilities, and trying to figure out what will make the most sense moving forward."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6706113

 

[BearCat204]

Noway Detroit moves to the East, but I could see Nashville and Columbus getting moved which would make Pred fans happy I suppose

 

[JTrainDavis]

Detroit going east is part of the plan, they're going to try to go by time zone as much as possible.

 

[vol4eva]

Noway Detroit moves to the East, but I could see Nashville and Columbus getting moved which would make Pred fans happy I suppose

I'd be happy, I enjoy the rivalries with Detroit and Chicago, but we'll always be at a disadvantage against those two teams since they spend to the cap. I think we could go deep into the playoffs in the east with our playing style.

 

[BearCat204]

Detroit going east is part of the plan, they're going to try to go by time zone as much as possible.

I just dont see it happening. And to add to that, "I dont want it to happen"

 

[golfballs]

Columbus definitely will. They need something to be happy about

 

[doozer]

I have mixed feelings about going East, especially if we lose Chicago and St Louis.

However, renewing the rivalry with Toronto (especially) and Montreal will be cool.

 

[milohimself]

Would suck to see Detroit go east IMO.

 

[doozer]

Would suck to see Detroit go east IMO.

i'd say a more than a few western teams would be glad to see them go.

however, Detroit would play Original 6 teams much more often. this would give me a great excuse to visit some of those cities, as i've only caught a game in Chicago and been to MSG for basketball.

on the other hand, there goes the rivalries with Nashville and Colorado, both of which took off in the last 15 years or so.

also, i don't like the thought of running into to Tampa Bay in the playoffs. it's already hard enough rooting against Yzerman when he's working for his national squad.

definitely will be bittersweet.