NHL BOARD OF GOVERNORS VOTE TO REALIGN CONFERENCES FOR NEXT SEASON
“The new alignment also enables the NHL to create a balanced schedule in which all teams will play each other at least twice every season, once at home and once on the road, giving fans a chance to see every team and superstar in the League. The remaining games will be played within the conferences.”
“The top four teams in each Conference qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first-place team would play the fourth-place team; the second-place team would play the third-place team. The four respective Conference champions would meet in the third round of the Playoffs, with the survivors playing for the Stanley Cup.”
Initial thoughts for Kings fans:
We lose Dallas as a “division rival” since they move to a more central time zone conference with Chi, Columbus, Winnipeg, etc.
We get to see EVERY team at Staples Center at least once a season.
We adopt most of the Northwest division (minus Minnesota) adding Colorado, Calgary, Vancouver, and Edmonton.
IF this conference structure existed now our division would look like this:
1. Vacouver - 31 points (15-10-1)
2. Phoenix - 31 points (13-11-3)
3. KINGS - 30 points (13-9-4)
4. San Jose - 29 points (14-8-1)
5. Edmonton - 29 points (13-11-3)
6. Calgary - 24 points (11-13-2)
7. Anaheim - 19 points (7-14-5)
Article by Dan Rosen (NHL.com staff writer) HERE