The NHL BOG met yesterday at the Westin N.Y. to discuss the possibility of realigning conferences in the wake of the addition of the Jets, who are currently in the Southeast division. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the group discussed more than 10 plans for shifting the current conferences. “Obviously we have to make arrangements to move Winnipeg west,” Bettman said. “There are a number of other clubs that would like to see adjustments as to where they are aligned. Every club that felt that way had a chance to explain to the board why.” Bettman said no resolutions were reached during the meeting, and that the league hopes to come to a conclusion on realignment by December. He added the group discussed new equipment used on the ice, such as additional video replay cameras in the net and other adjustments to the goal, to enhance video replay. The group also reviewed the recent decision to outlaw most checks to the head. “The group was satisfied with the progress that has been made,” Bettman said (Fred Dreier, SportsBusiness Journal). Bettman described the tone of the discussions as “very constructive and very positive.” NHL.com’s Dan Rosen noted a number of realignment scenarios “were laid out in front of the governors, including ideas to keep the current six-division format or move into a four-conference format, featuring two conferences of eight teams and two conferences of seven teams.” The latter option would “obviously require the League to change the playoff format as well.” Among the teams “looking to move to the Eastern Conference” are the Red Wings, Predators and Blue Jackets (NHL.com, 9/20).
