After months and months of rumors and speculation, the NHL has finally announced a change to the divisional and conference set up that you and I have come to know and love. Realignment is here!
There are several significant changes as a result of the realignment plan, so here is a brief guide to the future of the NHL.
1. Bye Bye Divisions, Hello Conferences
Over the last few decades, we have all been familiar with our fellow divisions foes, however sometime after the New Year, our attention as hockey fans shifts from where we stand in our division to where we stand in our conference. Sure, it's nice to win the division, but you really want to win the conference.
The new format places the focus back on the divisions, consolidating the three divisions in each conference into two larger divisions (which will now be called conferences). The geographically based conferences have yet to be named. The Boston Bruins' conference, known only as conference 2, is pretty much the same, but will now feature the Tampa Bay Lighting as well as the Florida Panthers.
2. Scheduling
Here is where it gets fun.
How fun is it to see Detroit, San Jose, Vancouver or any other Western Conference powerhouse play at the TD Garden? Ever wish that we could see all these teams every year?
Well now you can. Thanks to the new alignment, each team will have a home-and-home series with every other team in the league in one season. Meaning for example that the Bruins will play Detroit both at home and on the road each year. The remaining amount of games will be played inside the conference.
3. Playoffs? Playoffs?
The top eight seeds from both the East and West will still make the playoffs, with the top four teams from each conference advancing to the postseason. The first two rounds will be held in their region, meaning that the eight finalists from the East and West will play each other until four teams remain, two from the East, two from the West.
At this point, the Final Four will get reseeded 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3. The teams will be reseeded regardless of region so for example, the Bruins could play the Sharks while the Penguins play the Blackhawks. The winners of the semis will them play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The teams can be in the same conference as well. Imagine a Bruins vs Canadiens Final? That could happen.
All in all, I am in favor of the realignment. I think it has the potential to create some awesome postseason matchups, while giving NHL fans the chance to see every team in the league each year. I love it, but only time will tell if this all works out smoothly.
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