Columbus, Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis
Edmonton, Calgary, Minnesota, Winnipeg
Dallas, Arizona, Las Vegas, Colorado
LA, Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver - mhp
Fixed.
8 divisions? We're gonna need to take a course just to explain the playoffs. Unless top two teams in each division make it? Then 1-16 gets reseeded?! DO IT! Or do division winners make it and then it's the next best 4 in each conference? In terms of the games played: each division opponent 6 times (18 games). Then each other conference opponent 3 times (36 games). Then play all divisions in the other conference twice EXCEPT FOR ONE. (28 games) Gives you 82. Each season you switch which out of conference division you only play once. Kind of like the NFL. Is that math right? Someone help.
EDIT: Wait how can the Pens and Flyers not be together? And swap Columbus and Detroit.
I think having 8 divisions devalues the overall pointing system.
1 - 8 teams get a pass into the playoffs simply by being better than 3 other teams. It would be conceivable to see teams winning a division and having the worst record entering the playoffs for all playoff teams.
2 - 8 divisional titles? Who is gonna care about these when every year 1/4 of the teams get a banner? It was bad enough when there were 6 each year. The less chance of 'winning' the points contest, the more valuable it is.
3 - Rivalries are important and must be fostered. The system outlined means that the highest chance of having a rivalry is with the 3 other teams in your division. The sister division, as it rotates, creates rhythmic breaks in developing rivalries with teams. By having larger divisions you allow for natural rivalries to cycle between teams as opposed to forcing the same 3 teams to your fan base.
Now, the points above could be worked into a system of 8 divisions of 4 teams, but really, what does this proposed solution solve? How does this make NHL hockey more accessible to new and casual fans. How does it help grow fan interest and rivalries? How does it make the standings race more interesting or balanced?
It is an interesting setup, but I think it is to convoluted.
I am a bit of a traditionalist, and do not like the geographic names.
It removed the tradition and history from the game we love.
My vote would be...
PRINCE OF WALES CONFERENCE Patrick Division Boston
Montreal
NJ Devils
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Quebec
Philadelphia
Washington
(Basically this is all I95 corridor teams and cover the north eastern most part of North America)
Adams Division Buffalo
Carolina
Columbus
Florida
Ottawa
Pittsburgh
Tampa
Toronto
(This division is spread out north-to-south but follow a eastern central zone for all but three teams)
CAMPBELL CONFERENCE Norris Division Chicago
Colorado
Dallas
Detroit
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg
(geographically central in all respects)
Smyth Division Anaheim
Calgary
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Jose
Las Vegas
Vancouver
(All teams far western area of the US/Canada)
Each division has a nice mix of strong, middle and weaker squads which would offer some chance at balance.
Id like to see the playoff structure change to top 4 in each division make it. Drop the wildcard. - FilamentDesigns
[quote=haymac]
This is a better idea. The playoffs should rank the teams in each conference 1-8, not play 1-4, 2-3 in each division.
Really don't like the 8 divisions idea, especially with the rotating conference rivals. The year that all Canadian Teams are in the same conference would involve horrendous travel for all of them.
