The NHL announced their realignment today. From the look of things, what’s old is new again. Traditional rivalries are renewed and the conferences look much like what your Gormogons cut their hockey teeth on as yout’s.

CONFERENCE (7 TEAMS) 

New Jersey Devils

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Rangers 

New York Islanders

Washington Capitals

Carolina Hurricanes

CONFERENCE (7 TEAMS) 

Boston Bruins 

Montreal Canadiens 

Toronto Maple Leafs 

Ottawa Senators 

Buffalo Sabres 

Florida Panthers 

Tampa Bay Lightning

CONFERENCE (8 TEAMS) 

Detroit Red Wings 

Columbus Blue Jackets 

Nashville Predators 

St. Louis Blues 

Chicago Blackhawks 

Minnesota Wild 

Dallas Stars 

Winnipeg Jets

CONFERENCE (8 TEAMS) 

Los Angeles Kings

Anaheim Ducks

Phoenix Coyotes

San Jose Sharks

Vancouver Canucks

Calgary Flames

Edmonton Oilers

Colorado Avalanche

Now these ‘Conferences’ (first to last) look very much like the Patrick, Norris, Smythe and Adams divisions. Dr. J. really hopes that those names are resurrected.

You can quibble with this analogy, but a lot of teams moved jumped divisions (and conferences) during the expansion era. Dr. J. likes the realignment because will really play up geographic and historic rivalries. This will become even more heated come the playoffs because only 4 teams from each conference go into the playoffs, making the regular season more meaningful AND the first two rounds of the playoffs are within the conference, so expect more blood on the ice.

The four conference champions will then emerge to do battle in the round of 4 and Stanley Cup finals.

Anticipate much trash-talking from the Gormogons in the years to come because the Blackhawks and Predators are division rivals, as are the Caps, Flyers, and minion favorite Penguins.

By way of disclosure, the Gormogons are silent partners in the ownership of the Caps.

Dr. J.