Comments | huscoon: NHL Realignment

huscoon

NHL Realignment

Jun 01, 2011 23:57

Winnipeg will be in the Southeast Division for the 2011-12 NHL season. After that, who knows? Who knows which division the "Jets" will be in. Who knows who will jump to the Eastern Conference, if anybody. Who knows if the Coyotes will even stay in Phoenix. But, speculating the numerous possibilities is the fun part.

The most obvious solution is to ( Read more... )

Comments 7

dariusdetiger June 2 2011, 04:04:24 UTC

"but doesn't the NHL already have that problem with Detroit in the West? "

Yes... yes it does and it BLOWS.

taren_ June 2 2011, 15:51:43 UTC

Color me ignorant, but why do sports have conferences in the first place? I'm of the opinion that seeding in a playoff type format should be a free for all, not a regional reservation system. Or is that the point?

Dealing with high school athletic organizations as a kid really gave me a bad taste about regional competition within a sport. I'm sure I've told you about that already though.

dariusdetiger June 2 2011, 18:12:33 UTC

I think it's mostly because if it was a free-for-all, you'd have to play each team in the league an equal amount of times. With a 30 team league, you'd only play a single team twice (some being 3) a year. There is no way to build rivalries (which are big money makers). They also have to protect from having the entire west coast getting into the playoffs, while only a couple east coast teams getting in. That would kill interest on the East coast during playoff season. Atleast with the East/West system as flawed as it is, even if you're team is out, you can still root for your conference.

huscoon June 2 2011, 18:57:27 UTC

The primary reasons are to encourage rivalries and reduce travel costs. With the NBA and NHL, they have conferences based on geography to do exactly that. In fact, back in 2005, the NHL was so worried about travel costs, they limited interconference play to only 10 games per season (they play 82 games a year). This resulted in teams playing intradivision rivals up to 8 times in one season ( ... )

vermillionfox June 2 2011, 22:49:37 UTC

Encourage rivalries? Then explain why Dallas vs Boston is but 1-2 times a year?

It's the rivalry that is there but doesn't get to be enjoyed. >:[

Thread 5

shiny_puppy June 3 2011, 04:30:25 UTC

But but...just no. Screw every part of Columbus or Nashville going east before we do. Sorry, but I don't care about what time a team that has been around like 10 years has to say about anything.

Your 3 way solution is probably the best option out there aside from firing Bettman and moving Phoenix back up to Canada where it belongs. Herp, derp hockey in the desert is cool.

The NHL is not mainstream in most areas, nor do most fans want it to be so. Putting it on channels that several cable companies don't even carry isn't helping matters. There is no reason to expand hockey to where hockey doesn't go, the dollar is on par with Canada and they love love love hockey. Knock out of couple US teams and relocate them there. I'd be happy with my Nordiques back.