New Conference Notes

            

With the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg last summer, the NHL knew a change in its structure was inevitable. This week, that adjustment took place. Next season, the NHL will have four conferences rather than two with three divisions in each. There will be two conferences with seven teams and two with eight. Here's the breakdown along with a few notes:

Conference A:

Anaheim Ducks

Calgary Flames

Colorado Avalanche

Edmonton Oilers

Los Angeles Kings

Phoenix Coyotes

San Jose Sharks

Vancouver Canucks

¤ One of the two conferences with three Canadian teams.

¤ The Battle of California and Alberta remain, although this was an obvious outcome.

¤ Please welcome Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado to what was once the toughest division in hockey. Dallas, enjoy your new “freedom.”

¤ I can’t wait to see the rivalry build between Vancouver and San Jose in the coming years.

¤ If the Phoenix Coyotes move to a new location next summer, they’ll likely just be added to the closest seven-team conference.

Conference B:

Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Minnesota Wild

Nashville Predators

St. Louis Blues

Winnipeg Jets

¤ The entire Central Division sticks together and adds Dallas, Minnesota and Winnipeg.

¤ Dallas is happy not to play the majority of its games on the West Coast. The team is also excited to host big names like Chicago and Detroit. The down side to this: more losses.

¤ Winnipeg is the lonely Canadian team in this conference.

¤ Winnipeg and Minnesota; new rivalry?

Conference C:

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Florida Panthers

Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

¤ The second conference with three Canadian teams.

¤ The former Northeast Division absorbs Tampa Bay and Florida.

¤ Conferences C and D don't leave their time zone when playing a team within their conference.

¤ Tampa Bay and Florida are going to be experiencing some vast weather changes when playing within their conference. Although, so will the rest of the teams, just in the opposite direction.

Conference D:

Carolina Hurricanes

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington Capitals

¤ The Atlantic Division adds Carolina and Washington.

¤ This conference has the easiest travel schedule by far.

¤ This conference will also be the most media-friendly with big markets like Pittsburgh, Washington, Philadelphia and New York.

¤ More of Ovi vs. Sid - the NHL rejoices!

¤ The Battle of Pennsylvania still exists, which makes me a happy fan.

¤ It'll be interesting to see how Washington adjusts to stronger opponents, sans the Islanders.

I think the NHL did a great job! I'm curious to see how the playoff seeding will work and exactly how many times each team plays within their conference. 

On a sidenote: my East vs. West post is totally useless now.