When the Atlanta Thrashers revealed their move to Winnipeg, it was clear the move would impact the entire league. Teams from the United States have won the last 17 Stanley Cups, and another Canadian team would provide the country with one more contender. The Winnipeg Jets' impact on the league appears to go beyond that, though.
Considering the Thrashers' former place in the Southeast Division, the NHL is planning realignment for the 2012-13 season, according to ESPN.com. Instead of simply shifting Winnipeg to a different division, the NHL is accommodating other teams and planning on a league-wide change. Detroit, Nashville, and Columbus are among the teams reportedly hoping to switch conferences.
"All those clubs need an opportunity to be heard," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said prior to the Stanley Cup Final opener, "That's a process we'll go through the first half of next season, looking at the issues that clubs want to raise, looking at various possibilities, and trying to figure out what will make the most sense moving forward."
The initial plan is to have four divisions — two divisions with eight teams, and two divisions with seven teams. The plan should be finalized at the Board of Governors meeting in December.
The Winnipeg Jets will remain in the Southeast Division for the 2011-12 season despite being more than 1,500 miles from their closest division foe.
