Graysmith

Here's my idea for a NHL expansion to 32 teams and a 4-division, 8-teams per division realignment: Rivalries and whatnot are completely ignored, and there are three new teams as the Coyotes would be moved elsewhere. NORTHEAST Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, QUEBEC, Toronto. ATLANTIC Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington. CENTRAL Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg. PACIFIC Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, SEATTLE, UTAH, Vancouver.

Pittsburgh in the West? The NHL would never have that! I don't like moving teams that have been around for ages, but it has to be done and at least (like I wrote) they'd switch to a division with a few other legendary teams. Rivalries with Detroit and Chicago would be just as awesome as any rivalries they have now.

NHL Realignment Proposal Now that the (so-so) NHL realignment has been put on hold I figured I'd post mine. Though I wouldn't be surprised if someone else has already come up with it before at some point since it's the most logical realignment, at least proximity-wise. Anyway, here goes. I've basically made this all about geographics, not paying too much of any attention to existing division rivalries, or trying to even out each division and such things because you can try but there's never going to be such a thing as even/fair divisions. Lost rivalries will be replaced by new ones, especially with each division being as geographically close as possible. This realignment wouldn't completely wreck existing divisions though, and only a few teams would see a big change. Green text = Changes division within conference Red text = Changes division and conference EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC ? New Jersey Devils ? New York Islanders ? New York Rangers ? Philadelphia Flyers ? Washington Capitals NORTHEAST ? Boston Bruins ? Buffalo Sabres ? Montreal Canadiens ? Ottawa Senators ? Toronto Maple Leafs SOUTHEAST ? Carolina Hurricanes ? Dallas Stars ? Florida Panthers ? Nashville Predators ? Tampa Bay Lightning WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL ? Chicago Blackhawks ? Columbus Blue Jackets ? Detroit Red Wings ? Pittsburgh Penguins ? St. Louis Blues NORTHWEST ? Calgary Flames ? Colorado Avalanche ? Edmonton Oilers ? Minnesota Wild ? Winnipeg Jets PACIFIC ? Anaheim Ducks ? Los Angeles Kings ? Phoenix Coyotes ? San Jose Sharks ? Vancouver Canucks Here's a map to better illustrate the geographics of each division: Yeah, the Atlantic division teams are awfully close to each other (and as such will save huge on travel expenses) but the fact is that Winnipeg or Edmonton are always going to be far and further away from others teams than the New York Rangers, etc. are no matter how you slice and dice these divisions, so it'll never be fair. At least with this alignment teams are kept as close to each other as possible. As for the teams that are moved, I justify the moves as such: Washington Capitals: Moved into a division with closer rivals. Not a bad thing. They?re also about as strong a team as the moved-out Penguins, so the division wouldn?t really become much easier or tougher. Dallas Stars: They never belonged in the Pacific division period, so with Winnipeg needing to move, it?s the perfect opportunity to get them into a more suitable division. Nashville Predators: Should do a happy dance to end up with an easier division (on paper) than the one they are in now, not to mention geographically closer rivals. Pittsburgh Penguins: Probably the team that was toughest to move, but at least they go from a division with classic teams to another with classic teams, so even if some longtime rivalries are diminished, others can spring to life. A Chicago-Detroit-Pittsburgh rivalry would make for a pretty great "Battle of the Great Lakes" if you ask me. Winnipeg Jets: They?re the whole reason this realignment is happening so surely there?s not much need to explain this one. Vancouver Canucks: Though it?s sad to move them away from a division with other Canadian teams, with Winnipeg needing to move into the Northwest division, Pacific is the logical fit for Vancouver and they?d do a good job beefing up a division that's traditionally been weaker than others too.