The Winnipeg Jets are feeling the pinch in their first seasonNHL seasonsince relocating to Phoenix in 1996.
The western-based hockey team is currentlyplaying in the Eastern Conference due to the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers last spring.
Because of this, the Winnipeg Jets are feeling the effects of travel. The Jets have to do the most travelling out of all the NHL teams because of their geographical location, and their spot in the Eastern Conference.
The NHL needs to realign, so the Jets will not have to suffer in the 2011-12 season.
The NHL and team General Managers voted on a new re-alignment planduring the winter GM meetings, only to be turned down by the NHLPA.
If the new re-alignment was accepted, the NHL would have been broken into four conferences next season,that would have consisted of:
Conference A - Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, and Vancouver.
Conference B - Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg.
Conference C - Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto.
Conference D- Carolina, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington.
So what does the NHL do for next season? They need to make minor tweaks to the alignment they already have in place.
There's no doubt that the Winnipeg Jets have to get moved over to the Western Conference.
However, a Western Conference team would have to move over to the Eastern Conference. The bestteam that would fit that move would be the Detroit Red Wings.
It is something the NHL needs to consider to be high on their priority list.
This should be one of the NHL's maingoal for the upcoming 2011-12 season,for the sake of the WinnipegJets.
As a passionate hockey enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the NHL, I can confidently address the issues raised in the article about the Winnipeg Jets and the league's need for realignment. I've closely followed the developments in the NHL, especially during the 2011-12 season, and possess a comprehensive knowledge of the league's history, regulations, and decision-making processes.
Firstly, let's delve into the evidence presented in the article. The relocation of the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix in 1996 and their subsequent return in the 2011-12 season, coupled with the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, indeed created a geographical challenge for the Jets. The article correctly points out that the team, now playing in the Eastern Conference, is facing significant travel-related issues due to its western location.
The proposal for realignment during the winter GM meetings and its subsequent rejection by the NHLPA is a crucial aspect of the narrative. This demonstrates the complex decision-making process involving not only the league but also the players' association. The proposed four-conference structure would have redistributed teams to address geographical concerns and reduce the travel burden on certain teams, including the Winnipeg Jets.
The suggested conferences—A, B, C, and D—reflect the geographical considerations and the need for a more balanced distribution of teams. The Winnipeg Jets are currently placed in Conference B, alongside teams like Chicago, Columbus, and Detroit. The article argues that the Jets should move to the Western Conference to alleviate their travel challenges, with the Detroit Red Wings being a suitable team to switch conferences.
The urgency of the matter is emphasized, suggesting that the NHL should prioritize realignment as a main goal for the upcoming 2011-12 season. The article proposes minor tweaks to the existing alignment and emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue promptly for the sake of the Winnipeg Jets.
In summary, the article highlights the pressing need for NHL realignment to address the geographical challenges faced by the Winnipeg Jets, supported by a proposal that involves moving teams between conferences. As an expert in hockey dynamics, I advocate for thoughtful consideration by the league to ensure fairness and practicality in addressing the concerns raised in the article.
