A NHL realignment idea (Eastern Conference)

Here's my new proposal for NHL realignment, 2 conferences composed of 4 divisions.

Northeast:
Boston
Toronto
Buffalo
Montreal
Ottawa
Rangers
Islanders
New Jersey

Mid Atlantic:
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
Nashville
Florida
Tampa Bay
Carolina

Here's why I think this works. The Northeast Division adds an original six team in the Rangers to the equation, reigniting old rivalries while still keeping the NYC metro area rivalries together. For the Mid Atlantic, it keeps the Pens and Flyers together after management for both teams publicly expressed concern that the NHL was thinking about moving the Penguins to the Northeast Divsion. It also adds another dimension by pairing the Caps and the Pens in the same division for the "mainstream" NHL fan (if there are any.) But nationally televised games between those two teams tend to get good TV ratings anyway so more games between the two couldn't hurt.

Scheduling would be as follows: 82 game season, each team in the division would play each other 6 times a year and play the teams in the opposite division 4 times. Remaining games would be played against random teams in the opposite conference.

NHL players namely Jarome Iginla have called for the NHL to get rid of the loser point. Well, Mr. Iginla you got your wish. I propose the NHL switch their points system so that teams that win in regulation get 3 points and teams that win in OT get 2 points. It will increase scoring so teams won't be happy to just sit back in the third period, play defense and wait for OT and an automatic point.

Finally, the playoff system gets a revamping: In the first round, instead of ranking the conference 1 through 8, the top 4 teams in the each division make the playoffs and are ranked 1-4. The 1 seed plays the 4 seed and the 2 seed plays the 3 seed. In the second round the two divisions are merged, reseeded and again the 1 seed plays 4 seed and the 2 seed plays the 3 seed. It is a bit complicated, but with expanded divisions, winning games against teams within your division now means more than ever and in my opinion the best team will come out and eventually represent the rest of the conference in the Stanley Cup Final.

Let me know what you think either by leaving a comment or tweeting me @justblueshirts