NHL.com reports that the NHL’s Board of Governors on Monday approved a radical realignment plan, eliminating the current two-conference, six-division setup in favor of a configuration that features four conferences based primarily on geography. Two conferences will have eight teams and the other two conferences will have seven teams.
Here’s how the unnamed conferences will look, courtesy of Puck Daddy…
Here’s how the new playoff format will work…
“The top four teams in each Conference qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first-place team would play the fourth-place team; the second-place team would play the third-place team. The four respective Conference champions would meet in the third round of the Playoffs, with the survivors playing for the Stanley Cup.”
Gary Bettman still has to approve the plan.
…i tell you what, if you think the Atlantic Division rivalries are tough now just wait till this format takes shape over the next few years. Overall, I have no real complaints with what they’ve done here.
…loving that Washington is back in the Rangers conference. Shades of the old Patrick Division. Man I used to hate guys like Hatcher, Langway, Stevens, Ciccarelli and Druce.
…would love to hear how the four Conference champions will be seeded. Is there a chance the Rangers could play Montreal in the Stanley Cup Finals again?
…leave your thoughts in comments section.
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