Since the Board of Governors approved the realignment plan, the next debate revolves around relocation and expansion. As of right now, the likeliest candidate for relocation is the Phoenix Coyotes. Lack of success, last year not withstanding, as well as ownership issues make the ‘Yotes prime for relocation. With the Sacramento Kings of the NBA potentially bound for Seattle, this is the logical choice for the Phoenix franchise to move (especially with the approved realignment plan and plans for a dual-sport arena).

As far expansion sites, logical selections (staying within the new realignment) would include a team in Saskatoon, SK and either Kansas City, MO or Milwaukee, WI.

Kansas City

The options for the Kansas City franchise could pay tribute to the NHL roots of the years gone by with the adoption of the Scouts name. The issue with this, though, would be the name is linked to the New Jersey Devils. In order to let fans know what sport the team is associated with, the Blades would be a good choice. A good geographical reference choice would be Tornado.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon has been trying to get an NHL team since the 1982-83 season when the St. Louis Blues were in trouble of relocating. The Coyotes were also rumored to relocate there too (or at least split time) in 2009-10. As far as names for the franchise, the route taken could be similar to one that was proposed when the Winnipeg Jets relocated from Atlanta. This option would incorporate the name of the junior hockey team’s name (Blades). A historically based option would be Pioneers highlighting Saskatoon’s importance for those settling the Western Canadian prairies and making their way to the Pacific Coast. The Caribous could be a good animal based name.

Seattle

The ‘Yotes relocation would be a bit easier. The leading candidate would be to assume the identity of the first American Stanley Cup Championship team: the Metropolitans (à la Ottawa with the Senators). Nature based team names could include Steelheads, King Salmon, and Evergreens. With the King Salmon name, the colors could go right along with their arena mates.

Wisconsin/Milwaukee

For the Wisconsin team, names can go from the state rock (Granites) to an homage to the state’s oldest pro team (Tundra). I personally like the Tundra idea (mainly due to my loyalties to the only publicly owned team in the Big 4). The Granites could have a scheme similar to the Wisconsin Badgers, while the Tundra (for obvious reasons) would be similar to the Green Bay Packers.

The chart below shows how the division will line up.

What

	NHL
Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Atlantic	Central	Midwest	Pacific

What this would mean for the Ducks is more time in the Pacific Time Zone.

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