Earlier this week the NHL Governors approved a makeover for the League's Conferences. This was brought about, by and large because the Atlanta Thrashers became the Winnipeg Jets over the off-season. Instead of two conferences housing three divisions each, starting next season there will be four conferences, two housing eight team while two house seven. While the Conferences don't have names yet, one has teams across the western part of North America, one is across Central North America, while the other two consist of Atlantic Teams and Northeast Southeast Teams.
The only surprising change appears to be that Tampa Bay and Florida will be with teams in the Northeast instead of being with Washington, Carolina and perhaps even Nashville who will be in the Atlantic, Atlantic and Central conferences, respectively. They're really the only teams left out in the cold with Atlanta becoming Winnipeg since they're not close to any potential Conference rivals. The only rationale I have for this realignment is a potential expansion for the league soon down the line, potentially trying again with Atlanta and maybe expanding to Oklahoma City.
What's not up for debate is the new Playoffs Format, which will by and large stay the same. Each "Conference" will have four Playoff teams instead of eight since there are twice as many Conferences now, for the normal amount of 16. Once each Conference Champion is crowned the final two rounds will be 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 and then the inevitable Stanley Cup Finals. It sounds more complicated than it actually is, but making it look like they're changing the formula when they're not will be a clever marketing tool for them. Not only that, it will probably allow for more Washington v. Pittsburgh Playoff Matchups in the near future.
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