NHL Board of Governors approves new realignment plan

The NHL’s Board of Governors approved a realignment plan for the league to go into effect for the 2013-2014 season, reports NHL.com. Under the plan, all 30 teams will visit each other at least once.

The board voted to create a structure that was more “geographically appropriate” — two conferences and four divisions.

The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are moving to the Eastern Conference to provide them the ability to play the majority of their games against teams in the same time zone. The Winnipeg Jets are moving to the Western Conference for the same reason.

The Dallas Stars are staying in the Western Conference, but moving into a division that includes five other teams from the Central time zone.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs will now be a division-based, wild-card system.

Realignment approved by Board of Governors. Begins with 2013-14 season.—
Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) March 14, 2013

Under new realignment plan, all 30 teams visit each other at least once. Ah, back in '67, Flyers had 5 trips to West Coast in Western Div.—
Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) March 14, 2013