NHLPA Rejects NHL's realignment proposal

[sherbert1421]

NHL's re-alignment plan on hold after NHLPA rejects changes

NEW YORK -- The NHL's planned realignment has been blocked by the players' union.

The plan to change from six divisions to four conferences for next season had been approved in December pending consent from the NHL Players' Association.

But in a statement Friday the league said the union would not allow the change to be made. Instead, the NHL will maintain its current alignment and playoff format for the 2012-13 season.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was unable to address the union's unspecified concerns with the change.

"It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players," Daly said in the statement.

"We believe the union acted unreasonably in violation of the league's rights. We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate."

The off-season relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg forced the NHL to draft a new conference alignment in December. The new plan also addressed teams' travel concerns, guaranteed home-and-home series for every team and made changes to the playoff format.

Shortly after the board of governors approved the plan, commissioner Gary Bettman said the league didn't need the union to sign off on the plan to make the changes.

2012-13 Lockout, here we come

 

[TiLoBrown]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... I'll choose a lockout over that horrible realignment

 

[Slimpikins]

My favo(u)rite part:

The NHL's planned realignment has been blocked by the players' union....

...Shortly after the board of governors approved the plan, commissioner Gary Bettman said the league didn't need the union to sign off on the plan to make the changes.


Apparently the league did need the union to sign off, you stupid gerbil.

 

[sherbert1421]

this is only going to add fuel to the fire at the next round of cba negotiations

 

[TiLoBrown]

I'm gonna side with the NHLPA on this one for the simple fact that they really had no time to discuss it. If the NHL wanted to start in in 13-14 instead of 12-13 and the PA said no, I'd be on the owner's sides.

Stupid, I know.

 

[TiLoBrown]

HMMMMMMMM.... maybe the PA will say we'll give you the realignment if you give us the olympics

 

[Ties5o11]

Stupid. A majority of fans wanted it, and an overwhelming majority of owners thought it would be best for the league. I'm Sorry these millionaires can't sit on the plane for an extra 30 minutes between games.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

First I was doing this....

And now I'm this...

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Stupid. A majority of fans wanted it, and an overwhelming majority of owners thought it would be best for the league. I'm Sorry these millionaires can't sit on the plane for an extra 30 minutes between games.

I agree, The NHLPA is wrong on this one. Fans bend over and grab your ankles we are going to take it again.

 

[TiLoBrown]

oooooo the PA said the they didnt reject it, they're still discussing it. They said the NHL set the deadline and defaulted to rejected.....



CAT FIGHT!

 

[Cmon_WTF]

I liked the changes to the regular season scheduling. Wasn't thrilled with the proposed playoff format though. It will be interesting to hear on what grounds the PA rejected it.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

It was a stupid plan with uneven playoff odds for half of the teams in the league. Given the amount of revenue that is generated by playoff gate receipts (and concessions) it is staggering that the owners approved this piece of garbage.

The one thing I want in a sports league is a level playing field. A system whereby one team has a 4 out of 7 chance of making the playoffs and one has a 4 out of 8 chance is, IMO, ludicrous and unfair.

 

[TiLoBrown]

Thats how I feel too KB....or atleast dont give us the Caps

 

[forty_three]

It was a stupid plan with uneven playoff odds for half of the teams in the league. Given the amount of revenue that is generated by playoff gate receipts (and concessions) it is staggering that the owners approved this piece of garbage.

The one thing I want in a sports league is a level playing field. A system whereby one team has a 4 out of 7 chance of making the playoffs and one has a 4 out of 8 chance is, IMO, ludicrous and unfair.

PREACH ON BROTHA!

The realignment plan was a terrible idea. And it's all so they didn't have to piss of Illytch. Hey, pizza boy. One team needs to move. It's not yours. Fuck off.

 

[evolver115]

PREACH ON BROTHA!

The realignment plan was a terrible idea. And it's all so they didn't have to piss of Illytch. Hey, pizza boy. One team needs to move. It's not yours. Fuck off.

The realignment did seem like a knee-jerk reaction, and I'm glad it's going to be reviewed. However, my fears of Donald Fehr, and what he might be willing to do, grows with time. I can't stomach another lockout.

 

[thedddd]

Glad this plan is going to be discussed. I didn't mind the divisions but hated the playoff format.

 

[pixburgher66]

The NHLPA has legitimate reasons for concern, and they're just being responsible by asking for more time to discuss it.

 

[puckhead]

revisit when Phoenix inevitably moves to Quebec.
sorry Winnipeg. lotsa miles again for the new kids.

and Fuck Dallas.

 

[pixburgher66]

pgshelly Shelly Anderson
On NHL realignment, a smart person said maybe an appeasing tweak would be playoff wildcards since four conferences would be unbalanced.

There's a thought. So, top 3 from each and 4 wild cards? Still think that a 2 conference set up just makes more sense though. You need that.

 

[Destroydacre]

Hopefully this is the beginning of the death of that realignment plan. It was seriously retarded.