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Arizona Coyotes: Expansion Caused Realignment Options

ByWilliam Grigsby|

The NHL Expansion Will Force Realignment, But Will Not Change Arizona Coyotes

With the projected NHL expansion tentatively scheduled for the 2017-18 season, the league must weigh it’s options as to how to realign the cities. This is especially challenging due to the fact that one Eastern Conference team will be added, making their total teams come to 17. With the one Western Conference team, their total teams add up to 15.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated just because a city applies, it does not guarantee they will be awarded an expansion franchise. Personally, I don’t see how 31 teams would work, being an odd number. There has been some discussion on the internet about how to arrange the teams in geographical aligned divisions, and how to go about deciding how many teams qualify for the playoffs.

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All of the discussion (which is just that at this point, discussion) has led to the obvious fact that either Detroit or Columbus must move back to the Western Conference when and if Quebec is added to the Eastern Conference list of teams. It seems doubtful that Detroit (who is an original six team city) will want to change BACK to the Western Conference. That leaves Columbus left with being moved back.

At least with 32 teams, it will allow the Eastern Conference to feel that their chances of going to the post-season is equal to the Western Conference’s chances. Right now the West enjoys a 57% chance of an opportunity to raise the Cup, as opposed to a 50% chance for the Eastern teams.

Here’s a glimpse at various options for alignment: CLICK HERE

When you look at the map of NHL cities it helps to see how for travel planning, this alignment works best. The other consideration is, who qualifies for the playoffs using this format? Do you have the first four teams in each division qualify? Right now, with 16 teams competing in the post season, does that increase by two? That would not work, since you need the number of teams to be divisible by four. Or, do you leave it as it is now, with the first eight teams in the conference?

Many critics have mentioned that too many teams make it to the playoffs now, and if that number were reduced, it would increase the competitive nature of the teams trying to qualify.

The other factor is competition versus the teams in your division. If teams are allowed to play more games in their own division, which now grows to eight teams, the rivalries will increase. This should lead to some additional fan interest for games within each division.

In the past, because of the uneven total of teams, the wild-card method had to be used where the top three teams qualified, with the remaining four spots going to wild card teams. That method can be eliminated due to the even total of 16 teams in each conference.

All in all, it doesn’t affect the Arizona Coyotes much at all. The addition of Las Vegas will begin a rivalry which will increase fan interest here in the valley. Up until now the Arizona Coyotes have had decent rivalries with the California teams, due to their proximity to Arizona. The Western Canada teams draw good crowds as well, with Canadian visitors here to take in games.

I don’t know about you, but I am pumped up to see the Las Vegas Black Knights play against our Arizona Coyotes. Just like when the L.A. Kings are in town, or the Arizona Coyotes are in L.A., you will see the die-hard fans trek over to view their team compete.

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Expansion Affects On Franchise

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