My take on Realignment/Expansion
Posted 1:57 PM ET | Comments 4
One of the things that irks me (and most teams in the East) about the new proposed realignment is the fact that the East would have 16 teams, and the West has 14. One prevailing rumor is that there will be two expansion teams added to the league shortly after this realignment. It's not news to most that Seattle is the front runner if expansion happens, but the way this realignment is set to go down the NHL would need a second Western team, leaving Markham and Quebec out of the running for teams. What city makes more sense than another GTA team, or Quebec city (who I personally favor)? Kansas City? Las Vegas? Seriously, come on.
Current proposed realignment:
WEST
Pacific: Ana, Cal, Edm, LA, Pho, SJ, Van
Mid-West Chi, Col, Dal, Min, Nas, Stl, Win
EAST
Central Bos, Buf, Det, Flo, Mon, Ott, TB, Tor
Atlantic Car, Colu, NJ, NYI, NYR, Phi, Pit, Was
The first thing you will notice is that Detroit and Columbus are now in the East. I agree that Detroit deserves to be back in the East as they have bit the bullet for the NHL for a long time and now would have the chance to revive some long-lost rivalries and reward fan loyalty with away games in their own time zone. Columbus is a different story if you ask me. They are barely viable as a franchise and have no business asking for such a change that would throw off the equality of competition in the NHL.
My proposed Realignment with Expansion:
WEST
Pacific: Ana, Cal, Edm, LA, Pho, SJ, Van, SEATTLE
Mid-West Chi, Col, Dal, Min, Nas, Stl, Win, Colu
EAST
Central Bos, Buf, Det, Flo, Mon, Ott, TB, Tor
Atlantic Car, NJ, NYI, NYR, Phi, Pit, Was, QUEBEC
If I had it my way, Columbus would be in the Mid-West div (suck it up!), Seattle would be added as a Western team would be needed, and Quebec would be added to the Atlantic div. This allows an equal eight teams per div, and adds franchises that would have the best chance to flourish.
What do you think?
Current proposed realignment:
WEST
Pacific: Ana, Cal, Edm, LA, Pho, SJ, Van
Mid-West Chi, Col, Dal, Min, Nas, Stl, Win
EAST
Central Bos, Buf, Det, Flo, Mon, Ott, TB, Tor
Atlantic Car, Colu, NJ, NYI, NYR, Phi, Pit, Was
The first thing you will notice is that Detroit and Columbus are now in the East. I agree that Detroit deserves to be back in the East as they have bit the bullet for the NHL for a long time and now would have the chance to revive some long-lost rivalries and reward fan loyalty with away games in their own time zone. Columbus is a different story if you ask me. They are barely viable as a franchise and have no business asking for such a change that would throw off the equality of competition in the NHL.
My proposed Realignment with Expansion:
WEST
Pacific: Ana, Cal, Edm, LA, Pho, SJ, Van, SEATTLE
Mid-West Chi, Col, Dal, Min, Nas, Stl, Win, Colu
EAST
Central Bos, Buf, Det, Flo, Mon, Ott, TB, Tor
Atlantic Car, NJ, NYI, NYR, Phi, Pit, Was, QUEBEC
If I had it my way, Columbus would be in the Mid-West div (suck it up!), Seattle would be added as a Western team would be needed, and Quebec would be added to the Atlantic div. This allows an equal eight teams per div, and adds franchises that would have the best chance to flourish.
What do you think?
I like it, but they need to add these teams for this to work.
Message Posted
Quebec would have to be in the Central division, put Florida and TB in Atlantic, move quebec in Central along with the Caps imo
As much as I would like to have Florida and TB in the Atlantic I think it shifts the balance of power too much to the Central and we would have the Atlantic acting similar to the current Southeast. The small market teams by nature are usually going to be weaker, and as a result the strong teams in that division will have inflated records.