Top NHL officials arrived at their annual board of governors meeting set to discuss a topic that could literary change the landscape of the league.
That topic is conference/division realignment.
The issue of realignment comes in the wake of Atlanta’s move to Winnipeg and the need to subsequently replace them in the Eastern Conference.
Now the NHL could choose to go the simple route in flipping Winnipeg with Detroit, Columbus or Nashville and placing either one of those teams in the Southeast Division.
However the idea that seems to be gaining the most steam is total realignment.
Total realignment could signify the end of the East/West and division format we currently see today. Rumors circulating in the hockey would seemed to point to a four region setup rather than a two conference and six division format.
There has also been discussion of a more balanced schedule that would help cut down of long road trips. All proposals will need a two-thirds vote to pass.
Ref: TSN.ca, NHL.com, NHL (image), CBC (image)