How To Fix the NHL

Stephen Thomas by Contributor Written on January 25, 2009
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Post-strike, the “quality” of an NHL game has increased, but a lot of the same problems exist: Teams struggle selling tickets, revenue is down, and the game is still diluted.

So, with that in mind, it’s time to delete some teams, expand rosters, and reorganize the league!

My first act as commissioner of the NHL will be to invoke the "snow rule."

The worst thing the NHL did with expansion was moving hockey to places that were not hockey areas (Atlanta, Phoenix, Florida). With this in mind, I create the snow rule that requires a minimum amount of snowfall each year for a city to qualify for an NHL team. 

If a city’s annual snowfall falls below a certain point for a sustained period of time, the three/five rule (five years if beginning in the first three years in a location, three consecutive years after five years) is invoked, and the team may move to another city approved by the NHL (with preference given to Canadian cities).

However, note the Los Angeles exception. This is the lone city to which the snow rule does not apply and is replaced with an attendance clause.

For my second act as commissioner of the NHL, I institute the CCR redesign: combine, contract, and relocate.

Note that preference of combination is given to teams with some form of history, namely Stanley Cup Championships. However, all teams (Tampa Bay, Carolina) cannot be catered to.

Without further adieu, your NEW NHL re-alignment!

Please note, combined teams can be seen in parenthesis.

 

Wales Conference (East)

Northern Division

Montreal

Toronto

Ottawa

Quebec (San Jose/Dallas)

Boston

 

Southern Division

New York

Hartford (Devils/Islanders)

Pittsburgh (Penguins/Buffalo)

Philadelphia

Washington

 

Campbell Conference (West)

Northern Division

Calgary

Edmonton

Vancouver

Winnipeg (Phoenix/Anaheim)

Minnesota

 

Southern Division

Detroit

Chicago

St. Louis

Colorado

Los Angeles

 

A lot of emphasis is put on cities that have had teams moved recently.  All Original Six teams must stay. Also, special priority is given to Next Six teams.

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written on January 25, 2009 Opinion

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