Rumor - Realignment

[forty_three]

The Blue Jackets beat writer does a weekly online chat and it's usually somewhat lame, but today he let two things slip that he has heard - First that the Jackets almost traded Steve Mason last season and the second...

I can't figure out.

Here's the question and his response:
[Dr. Bort] Is there a legit chance that there could be a big realignment in 2012, and Columbus could move to the East?

[Portzline] Yes. I was told on Wednesday that at least two different scenarios were presented at the recent Board of Governors meeting in New York, one of which had the Blue Jackets AND Red Wings joining the Eastern Conference. I don't think anything gets settled until the league can determine the future of Phoenix. If they move East, it changes everything, and all the good people of Glendale did -- with their $25 million promise -- is by themselves another year. That situation is far from settled.

How in the HELL would two teams be able to move east? Who else in the east is in trouble and where in the west would they go?

Islanders or Panthers?
Vegas? Seattle? KC?

And WHY the Wings? I want to go East to get AWAY from them for crying out loud.

 

[falconski]

easiest solution: winnipeg to the northwest, minnesota to the central, nashville to the SE

solution that makes the most sense: winnipeg to NW, colorado to the pacific, dallas to the central, nashville to the SE


I can't think of anything that could possible get columbus and detroit both to the east

 

[davnlaguna]

They are talking two Western divisions with 7 teams each and two eastern with 8 teams each.
There has been an understanding that the next time they realign Wings get to go east. The only way to do it is with unbalanced divisions

 

[ritari330]

Then 16 overall seeds once they get to the playoffs?

 

[ELYEAH82]

So the Western teams would have a way better shot at the playoffs? 8-14 Vs 8-16

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

And WHY the Wings? I want to go East to get AWAY from them for crying out loud.

 

[dash]

I'll drive to Detroit and help load moving trucks if it means the Wings are moving to the Eastern Conference...

 

[devs30rko]

They are talking two Western divisions with 7 teams each and two eastern with 8 teams each.
There has been an understanding that the next time they realign Wings get to go east. The only way to do it is with unbalanced divisions

i pray to allah this doesn't happen.....

 

[davnlaguna]

So the Western teams would have a way better shot at the playoffs? 8-14 Vs 8-16

more so with the Wings no longer in the West.
The are saying four teams from each division would make the playoffs and the first round would all be division games. The second and third rounds would reseed and be conference teams.

 

[rares]

They are talking two Western divisions with 7 teams each and two eastern with 8 teams each.
There has been an understanding that the next time they realign Wings get to go east. The only way to do it is with unbalanced divisions

FWIW, teh rumor I read was 4 Divisions (2 East, 2 West) with each Conference having a 7-team Division and an 8-team Division... and yes, top 4 teams from each of the Divisions would make the playoffs.

 

[davnlaguna]

FWIW, teh rumor I read was 4 Divisions (2 East, 2 West) with each Conference having a 7-team Division and an 8-team Division... and yes, top 4 teams from each of the Divisions would make the playoffs.

There would have to be another team move to the West for that to happen. I just don't know who would be forced west

 

[rares]

There would have to be another team move to the West for that to happen. I just don't know who would be forced west

Yeah, you're right... not sure, maybe Sens in a "Midwest" Division (with STL, MIN, COL, DAL, CBJ, CHI)... and "West" Division would have the obvious 8.. WIN, CGY, EDM, VAN, SJ, LA, ANA, PHX.

But then what do you do when PHX moves wherever-the-hell-they'll-move next year? /shrug

 

[sherbert1421]

They are talking two Western divisions with 7 teams each and two eastern with 8 teams each.
There has been an understanding that the next time they realign Wings get to go east. The only way to do it is with unbalanced divisions

more so with the Wings no longer in the West.
The are saying four teams from each division would make the playoffs and the first round would all be division games. The second and third rounds would reseed and be conference teams.

I sure hope that this isn't what happens. i would rather the wings stay in the west than have this system

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Unbalanced conferences is just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I'm hoping that's just some know nothing beat writer trying to get attention rather than what was actually discussed.

 

[rares]

Unbalanced conferences is just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I'm hoping that's just some know nothing beat writer trying to get attention rather than what was actually discussed.

Yeah, I'm sure you're exactly right, actually...

 

[forty_three]

Unbalanced conferences is just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I'm hoping that's just some know nothing beat writer trying to get attention rather than what was actually discussed.

Columbus' writer said nothing about unbalanced conferences, FWIW.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Columbus' writer said nothing about unbalanced conferences, FWIW.

My mistake. I really don't like the thought of unbalanced conferences though. Major League Baseball has unbalanced leagues and they are currently looking to change that. It's just a bad idea and I hope they haven't given it much thought.

 

[rares]

Here, I found it... let's blame the Ottawa/Philly writers:

NHL Commissioner Proposing New Division Realignment | GCOBB.COM

 

[davnlaguna]

Here, I found it... let's blame the Ottawa/Philly writers:

NHL Commissioner Proposing New Division Realignment | GCOBB.COM

But that has Columbus in the West and Ottawa in the West

 

[rares]

Midwest, yeah... they're the closest (to the West) geographically after all the others, aren't they? /shrug

PS. I'm not saying it's the best way to do it, nor did I write that article. Hah... just googled it, is all. It's just one dude's speculation, right? I didn't even read it too closely, TBH.