In a move that surprises few, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has proposed a realignment plan that would drastically alter the face of the NHL for the 2012-2013 season.
Bettman's new realignment plan was triggered by the move of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg to become the Jets. The new realignment plan would look something like this:
There are still two conferences, but now there would be only 4 divisions total instead of the current 6. Each conference would have two divisions, one division with 8 teams and one with 7 teams.
Specific team changes would include having the Red Wings and Blue Jackets move into the Eastern Conference. Playoff teams would be composed of the top 4 teams in each division.
This past season, the NHL was structured as follows:
Eastern Conference:
Atlantic Division (Flyers, Penguins, Rangers, Devils, Islanders)
Northeast Division (Bruins, Canadiens, Sabres, Maple Leafs, Senators)
Southeast Division (Capitals, Lightning, Hurricanes, Thrashers, Panthers)
Wetern Conference
Central Division - Red Wings, Predators, Blackhawks, Blues, Blue Jackets
Northwest Division - Canucks, Flames, Wild, Avalanche, Oilers
Pacific - Sharks, Ducks, Coyotes, Kings, and Stars
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