NHL Realignment: What Does It Mean?

On December 6, 2011 NHL officials approved a new plan that completely changes the alignment of the league. The move of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg forced the NHL to look at realignment plans and instead of simply switching few teams around the league decided to go bold. Instead of 6 divisions within 2 conferences, there are now 4 distinct conferences. The conferences are split into geographical alignments, while still keeping traditional rivalries intact. The NHL also approved a schedule change, each team will play a home and home with every team in the league, giving fans across the NHL the chance to see every team at least once.

Here are the four, yet-to-be named conferences:

Conference A: (Pacific/Northwest teams)
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks

Conference B: (Midwest teams)

Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Minnesota Wild

Nashville Predators

St. Louis Blues

Winnipeg Jets

Conference C: (Atlantic/Northeast teams)
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs






Conference D: (Mid-Atlantic teams)
Carolina Hurricanes
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals




The playoffs have also changed with the top 4 from each conference making the playoffs and then playing the first two rounds against each other. So, for example, let's say in Conference D the top 4 teams are the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington. The first round will be New York versus Washington and Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia. The second round will be the winners of the first match ups and then the winners of each conference will enter into the NHL semifinals.

At first glance, I like the plan. At second glance, I love it. The new plan gives teams the chance to play across the country, which is great for the fans. It also benefits teams in the middle of the country such as Dallas, Detroit, and Columbus, who in years past have had to fly all over the country to meet conference play requirements. The new alignment also gives a better chance for the hard-nosed rivalries of old to either reignite or develop, another win for the fans.

Furthermore, this shows that the NHL is no longer the bungling league that lost an entire season in 2004. The league has taken adversity in stride, and has emerged as a league that can thrive long-term. Hopefully, this move helps raise the league's profile even more and will usher in an era in which the NHL is considered as a top sports league with the MLB, NFL, and NBA.

Eastern Conference Preview

The 2011 NHL Season starts tomorrow night and we're going to kick things off here at Danger Zone Sports with a little preview. The Western Conference preview is up tomorrow, and the preseason awards will be up Friday. Look for MLB analysis and NFL breakdowns in the days to come

Southeast Division: Washington Capitals
It's hard to bet against the Capitals who have added veteran experience on the back end with defensemen Roman Hamerlik (18 years in the NHL) and goaltender Tomas Vokoun (13 years) to go along with rising stars Mike Green (25 years old, 24 points) and John Carlson (21 years old, 37 points). The revamped defense plus the potent offense of Alex Ovechkin (85 points), Alexander Semin (54 points), and Nicklas Backstrom (65 points) equals another division title for Coach Bruce Bodreau's squad. Expect the Lightning to be strong again with young star Steven Stamkos returning (91 points) and solid veteran Martin St. Louis (99 points) but the Capitals experience will prove to much to overcome. The Hurricanes look to return to the playoffs and the new look Winnipeg Jets look to return glory to Western Canada. The Florida Panthers will be stuck in the basement yet again.

1. Capitals
2. Lightning
3. Jets
4. Hurricanes
5. Panthers


Atlantic Division: Philadelphia Flyers
With Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby not yet full strength and Evengi Malkin coming off a serious knee injury the reigning Atlantic Division champion Flyers look to repeat behind Danny Briere (68 points) and an offense that averaged 3.1 goals per game(3rd in the NHL). The only question mark for the Flyers will be at goaltender, the Flyers were undone in the playoffs last year due to ineffective goalie play.
The Penguins will have to rely on goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to weather the storm before a full return from Crosby and Malkin. The Rangers and Devils will battle it out for third in the conference's strongest division, the Islanders can hope to ride young gun Johnathan Tavares to a playoff berth, but it's highly unlikely.

1. Flyers
2. Penguins
3. Rangers
4. Devils
5. Islanders

Northeast Division: Boston Bruins

You can't expect the Bruins to slow down after their Stanley Cup title last year, and goaltender Tim Thomas (2.00 GAA, .938 save %) does not plan on it either. The Bruins will be challenged by the Buffalo Sabres, who are led by goaltender Ryan Miller (2.59 GAA, .916 %) and left wing Thomas Vanek (73 points). Montreal will rely on goaltender Carey Price to carry both the team and the fan's high expectations. Toronto and Ottawa both are in need of an overhaul and will not contend this season.

1. Bruins
2.Sabres
3. Canadiens
4. Senators
5. Maple Leafs