What do you guys think? - I think if the NHL

[USCDoom]

I think if the NHL did this it would secure itself as the #3 and possibly the #2 sport in America.
1. Contract Columbus and Florida.
2. Move Phoenix to Winnipeg and Atlanta to Quebec
3. Have 2 Divisions is 2 Conferences
Western Conference
West
LA Kings
Anaheim Ducks
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Colorado Avalanche

Midwest
Chicago Blackhawks
Minnesota Wild
Detroit Red Wings
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
Nashville Predators
Dallas Stars

Eastern Conference
Northeast
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Quebec Nordiques
Buffalo Sabers
Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators
NY Islanders

East
Tampa Bay Lightning
Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitols
New Jersey Devils
NY Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins

4. Play each Division opponent 6 Times, play 4 games vs other Division in Conference, play the other Conference teams once (Home one year, Away the next year). This would reduce the regular season to 78 games.

IMO this would be a Perfect League

 

[USCDoom]

If Atlanta stays in Atlanta then the Rangers would move to the Northeast and Atlanta would be in the East. If Phoenix stays then Colorado would move into the Midwest.

 

[Disney Plorster]

Hmm, contract Columbus and Florida you say.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Hmm, contract Columbus and Florida you say.

keep columbus contract the rangers in their place

 

[kenyg54]

and top 4 teams in each Division make the playoffs -- period.

and the Isles and Rags need to be in the same division

 

[Comeds]

I think if the NHL started playing football then perhaps it might be the 2nd or 3rd most popular sports league in the US. I do not really see contraction and realignment affecting the leagues popularity at all.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I think if the NHL started playing football then perhaps it might be the 2nd or 3rd most popular sports league in the US. I do not really see contraction and realignment affecting the leagues popularity at all.

I agree with this.

I'm not exactly sure how having fewer teams would somehow equal more fans.