A season ago, the NHLPA rejected a realignment proposal by the league that would split the six divisions into four conferences. It seems that the NHL is ready to present a modified version of that proposal in coming weeks.
The first conference would be inhabited by the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Conference. The second conference will showcase the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.
The third conference would feature the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, and Winnipeg Jets. The final conference would be compiled of the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks.
The main changes include the addition of Detroit and Columbus to the Eastern Time Zones. The previous plan had 16 Western Conference teams and 14 Eastern Conference clubs. The Red Wings and Blue Jackets remained with the Central Division teams but were placed with the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars.
According to a number of reports this new plan benefits the NHL's TV partner NBC as it enables the network an opportunity to feature Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin five to six times a year as the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins would be in the same conference. The new format also reunites the rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, another potential marketing chip for the NBC.
There has been no indication of how the schedule would break down but the last proposal suggested that every team play one another at least two times a season with the remainder of the games being contested among conference rivals.