NHL Realignment and How it Will Effect the Avalanche

The NHL's Board of Governors approved a new realignment plan, Thursday morning, that will go in place for the 2013-2014 hockey season. This realignment will alter the current layout, two conferences each comprised of three divisions, to a layout of two conferences each comprised of only two divisions.

According to the New York Times, Each team will play each of their divisional opponents four or five times a year.  Teams would play opponents in the other division within there conference about three times a year.  Teams from the Western Conference will still see teams from the Eastern Conferences, as they will have a least one math up during the season.

Such a change, may be just what the NHL needs.  This change could help the league fiscally, by just cutting down on team travel costs alone.  This change also may bring a new fan base by bringing out greater rivalries between teams in a closer vicinity to each other.  With a dwindling fan base, after the lockout in 2012, this may not be a bad route taken by the NHL.

The biggest change, according to Donald Wood of bleacherreport.com,is the move of the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets into the Eastern Conference.  Realigning divisions, to create more localized match ups,  caused this move because where these teams are located in the United States (see map below).

This realignment may not effect the Avalanche all too much.  The Avs may just create a more localized rivalry, say with the Chicago Blackhawks, simply due to the fact that we will play them more during a season.

Conference/ Division Break Down:
Although the names of each division have not been decided upon yet, here is the basic breakdown.

Division (A): Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, L.A. Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Cannucks

Division (B): Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets

Division (C): Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabors, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadians, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs

Division (D): Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals.

Courtesy of: snyrangersblog.com