The NHL won’t go forward with its realignment plan and modified playoff format next season after the players’ association vetoed the changes.
Back in December, the reshuffle was approved by the NHL’s board of governors. The initiative was pushed forward by the league following Atlanta’s move to Winnipeg this past summer. The league could have switched one team from the Western Conference with the Jets, but a more drastic plan was put on the table.
The would-have-been reshuffle suggested establishing four conferences, instead of the existing two, with the following makeup:
– New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina;
– Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay;
– Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg;
– Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado.
However, after the players refused to agree to the plan, the league said Friday that it would maintain its current alignment and playoff format next season.