The NHL is going to have a new look next year.
The long-discussed realignment plan became official when the league's Board of Governors approved a proposal that will give the league four divisions in two conferences.
Driven by the Atlanta Thrashers' move to Winnipeg at the end of the 2010-11 season, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman termed the move as "fan friendly."
That is quite debatable.
The realignment is geographically driven. The Winnipeg Jets had been stuck in the Eastern Conference the last two seasons. They will play in the Western Conference.
The Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets will become Eastern Conference teams.
As a result of those moves, there will be 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and 14 teams in the Western Conference.
While the league tries to paint the realignment as a winning development for the league, its players and the fans, there are positives and negatives to the changes that will be made.
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Article written by Steve Silverman
Pros and Cons of the NHL Realignment
March 15th, 2013 by Steve Silverman Leave a reply »
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