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.

Western Conference Preview

Here's the Western Conference portion of the NHL preview. Look for playoff picks and awards tomorrow.

Central: Detroit Red Wings
Following a 2010-11 season that saw the Wings post 104 points and win the Central Division. With talent returning at all positions, including centers Henrik Zetterburg (80 points) and Pavel Datsyuk (59 points, +11 rating). The defense will be once again anchored by Nicklas Lidstrom (46 assists, 23:28 ice time per game). Lidstrom is also a dangerous weapon on the power play assisting on 32 man up goals last season. The biggest concern for the Red Wings will be goaltender Jimmy Howard (2.79 GAA, .908 save %) who must stop more shots if the Red Wings want to win this high octane division. The 2009-10 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks are once again dangerous as are the Nashville Predators, who are led by goaltender Pekka Rinne, (2.12 GAA, .930 save %). The Blue Jackets and Blues are both loaded with young talent and could make a surprise run to the playoffs, but the strength at the top of the division will prove to much to handle over the long 82 game season.

1. Red Wings
2. Predators
3. Blackhawks
4. Blues
5. Blue Jackets

Northwest: Vancouver Canucks
Although they fell in in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Boston Bruins, the Canucks are ready to make another deep run in the Western Conference. Behind twin brothers Henrik (75 assists) and Daniel Sedin (41 goals, 104 points) and veteran goaltender Robert Luongo (2.11 GAA, .928 save %), the Canucks are looking good in a weak Northwest Division. The Calgary Flames look to put some heat on the Canucks with perennial All-Star Jarome Iginla (43 goals, 86 points) leading an offense that scored 2.94 goals per game last season (7th in the NHL). The Wild and Avalanche are still a season or two away from seriously competing and the Oilers are even further away from a division crown.

1. Canucks
2. Flames
3. Wild
4. Avalanche
5. Oilers

Pacific: San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are loaded on offense with MVP candidate Patrick Marleau (73 points, 37 goals) leading the Sharks balanced offense (Five players with 60 plus points). Antti Niemi is the Sharks goaltender and he looks to build off the success of his 2010-11 campaign (2.38 GAA, .920 save %). Close behind are the Los Angles Kings. The Kings are ready to return to the top of the division, with rising stars Dustin Brown (28 goals) and Anze Kopitar (73 points) leading the offense and breakout star Johnathan Quick (2.24 GAA, .918 save %) in net, the Kings could ascend to the top of the Pacific Division. Anaheim returns reigning MVP Corey Perry (98 points, 50 goals) along with an arsenal of offensive firepower which includes Teemu Selanne (80 points) and Ryan Getzlaf (57 assists). The Ducks also have tough guy George Parros to protect their stars (171 penalty minutes) and goaltender Jonas Hiller (2.56 GAA, .924 save %) to anchor the back line. The Phoenix Coyotes have to place their hopes on right wing Shane Doan (60 points) if they want to challenge the top of the division. The Stars will have to hope that Loui Eriksson (73 points) can match his scoring output from last season to mask their defensive shortcomings.

1. Sharks
2. Kings
3. Ducks
4. Coyotes
5. Stars