NHL Realignment for 2011-2012 Season expected to give teams better chance –NHL offseason Update
There are many teams unable to make it anywhere near the top of their divisions and conferences since their induction into the National Hockey League (NHL) gives the franchises problems in terms of popularity and recognition.
Since Atlanta Thrashers was relocated to the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, many experts knew that it would spark a massive change in the divisional and conference setup which the league is currently following.
"All those clubs need an opportunity to be heard", NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, said about those teams that are always clobbered near the end. "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".
According to a plan that was proposed by Bettman himself, the NHL would keep their current two conference setup with the East and West separate.
One major change would be that instead of the six-division setup, it would be changed into a four-division separation.
Currently there are the Northeast, Atlantic, Southeast, Central, Northwest and Pacific division, but under the new plan, it would only be the Pacific, Midwest, East and South.
In addition, teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, who geographically deserve to be in the East and have advocated their views, are in consideration of being shifted, which would create a whole new scene.
This decision would be better for the league overall since it could increase ratings and lower cost of travelling due to the teams already living according to the Eastern time zone.
With the four division plan, there would be two eight team divisions and two seven team ones, which in the end would create more competition and allow teams to reach out instead of having to face much stronger rivals all season long.
Along with the geographical change in mind, the NHL has been pressurised to take advice on how to make the game better as well. Different rumours are flying around, but there is no certainty as of yet.
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