Realignment

So you may heard a couple days ago the NHL announced its new realignment for next season.  Only reason they had to do this was because of the Atlanta Thrashers move to Winnipeg.  Winnipeg is currently in the Southeast Division.  Yeah that just doesn't work.  So the NHL had to realign the conferences.  There are now 4 conferences.  2 with 8 teams and 2 with 7 teams.  Instead of moving swapping Winnipeg with Nashville, Detroit, or Columbus (the 3 western conference teams that are furthest east) the NHL decided to make 4 Conferences.  The names of the conferences are still undetermined, although there are unconfirmed rumors the NHL wants to get corporations to sponsor them.

 Here is a picture of the new conferences:

If your having trouble reading that here is basically what is says.

Conference 1 (Orange)

• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Vancouver
• Colorado
• San Jose
• Anaheim
• Phoenix
• Los Angeles

Conference 2 (Yellow)

• Winnipeg
• Minnesota
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Columbus
• St. Louis
• Nashville
• Dallas

Conference 3 (Blue)

• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Toronto
• Buffalo
• Boston
• Tampa Bay  <----- BONED
• Florida  <----- SUPER BONED

Conference 4 (Green)

• Pittsburgh
• Philadelphia
• Washington
• New York Rangers
• New York Islanders
• New Jersey
• Carolina

What this all means.

• Pens stay in the same division as Philly which was a big thing for the NHL to keep
• Washington moves into the Pens division
• Florida and Tampa Bay are screwed for travel
• Playoff format is changed
• Teams will play non conference opponents in a home and home.  Then fill out the schedule with conference games

New Playoff Format

• No more 1 through 8 seeds
• Seeds will be 1-4 with in your conference
• 1 team from each conference make the final 4.
• Teams will be re-seeded in the final 4.

What that all means

• Pens could play Philly and Washington in the 1st 2 rounds.
• Pens could play Vancouver in the semi-finals
• Pens could play Montreal or Boston for the Cup.

Basically you have a chance to play anyone who isn't in your teams conference for the cup.

Realignment Winners

• Pittsburgh, Philly, Washington.

Pens keep their rivalry with the Flyers, Rangers, and Islanders.  

Flyers stay in the same division as the Pens

An old Patrick Division rivalry returns.  Pittsburgh and Washington.  Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.  If you don't understand just go back to 91 and watch every Pens/Caps playoff series.

Realignment Losers

• Tampa Bay and Florida

Tampa Bay and Florida got FUCKED and fucked hard.  They are in a division with 3 Canadian teams as opposed to only 1 this season.  (Winnipeg)  Their closest away conference game is Buffalo.  Their closest away non conference game, Nashville.  If anyone hates realignment its Florida and Tampa.  Maybe Ryan Malone will cry about it.

So there you have it.  You'll probably get confused reading this post but oh well.

If any of the like 6 people that read this blog have any suggestions for names for the conference leave a comment in here or send us a tweet at @HF_Steve and @SidsAFerrari and we'll post our favorites.  (If we get enough)

Flyers tomorrow at 7.  Get your mind right.  

Go Pens.