NHLPA approved realignment map.

The NHL Players’ Association have given the green light for the proposed NHL realignment. The only thing left for the plan to go into effect is for the 30 owners to vote on the realignment.

The proposal includes the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets moving to the Eastern Conference and allows for wild card spots into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The NHLPA has given the condition to re-evaluate the alignment after one year.

This is the proposed realignment that is now a step away:

	NHL
Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Atlantic	Central	Midwest	Pacific

Last year’s planned realignment. (via prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/TomFulery.com)

The above pictured shows what last year’s planned realignment would have looked. There were some concerns over the decision, but in my opinion, it was received pretty well. It is unknown what has changed from this alignment plan. We do know that the four conference system is still here. One of the major problems that some expressed about this realignment was about Tampa Bay and Florida being in a conference with teams in the Northeast of the United States and Canada instead of other teams in the South, like Nashville, Dallas and Carolina. Also, keeping Winnipeg away from other Canadian teams upset some people as well.

Personally, I think it might be tough to change much from this current plan. There are some very established rivalries that the NHL does not want to interrupt. They could have both Tampa and Florida in a division with Carolina, Nashville, Dallas, St. Louis, Columbus and Washington. However, that would hurt some of those teams’ rivalries.

Another idea would be to have this as a conference, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Colorado, Dallas, Nashville, Tampa Bay and Florida as a conference. However, that would alienate San Jose and they would most likely be in a conference with the Western Canada teams and some of the teams from the Central area. However, that could ultimately break up some original six rivalries. It’s a difficult process. I don’t think there is any way to not alienate some team from their rivals. In my opinion, just swap Winnipeg with Colorado, and Detroit/Columbus and Tampa Bay/Florida. How’s that? I don’t know, but we shall see by the end of February at the latest!

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