Realignment Time!

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It's happening, it shouldn't really come as a surprise as it's been discussed for a long time but the great realignment is coming. Next season probably. The team owners have approved it and it's happening. The 6 division structure is out, and a new 4 division structure will come into effect. The new, as yet unnamed divisions are below.

Division A

Anaheim
Calgary
Edmonton
LA
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver

Division B

Chicago
Colorado
Dallas
Minnesota
Nashville
St Louis
Winnipeg

Division C

Boston
Buffalo
Detroit
Florida
Montreal
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Toronto

Division D

Carolina
Columbus
New Jersey
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington

So the first thing to understand is why? Well as each team plays the teams in its own division more than other teams, it makes sense to keep each division within the same time zone. This has a pretty big effect on the TV coverage and makes quite a big difference in audience figures. It also ensures that every team will play in every arena at least once a season. 

The other big change is how teams qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The current model means that each division's top team automatically fill the top three spots in the conference. That's why Carolina are currently 3rd with 31 points yet Boston are 4th with 37 points. Under the new model, the top three teams from each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. The additional 4 wildcard places will be made of the teams with the next highest points, two from each Conference. From here the playoffs remain pretty much the same with the Conference champions going through to the Stanley Cup Final. 

Go Wings. 



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