(07-04-2021 09:16 AM)chargeradio Wrote: The only way I could see the NHL going to 36 would be to make the four conference alignment permanent:
West - VAN, CGY, EDM, SEA, SJ, LA, ANA, VGK, AZ
Central - WPG, MN, CO, STL, NSH, CHI, DAL, HOU*, MIL*
Atlantic - MTL, OTT, BOS, NYI, NYR, NJ, PHI, WAS, QUE*
East - FL, TB, CAR, DET, TOR, CLB, PIT, BUF, ATL*
36 may be 20-30 years down the road, if ever, but I always like the mental activity of this!
Here’s my thoughts for this exercise:
- Arizona (Phoenix) and Florida (Miami) will have relocated.
- Atlanta has failed twice and will not be given a third opportunity.
- Houston (my childhood hometown) will not get a team, unfortunately, but will be the ever-threatened relocation destination.
Relocations:
- Arizona to Milwaukee : Wisconsin is a great hockey state; could use the current AHL name “Admirals”; could share an arena with the Bucks
- Florida to Quebec City : hockey in Quebec City should never have not been a thing; returning the name “Nordiques”
Expansions:
- Cleveland : I needed a 36th city and I don’t see Atlanta or Houston getting the bid; the “Barons” could share an arena with the Cavaliers
- San Francisco : I like the idea of the Bay Area having a second team; the “California Golden Seals” could share an arena with the Warriors
- Salt Lake City : shot in the dark franchise; could share an arena with the Jazz; could use current ECHL name the “Grizzlies”
- Toronto (second team) : large enough Canadian city to host two teams; I like the name “St. Patricks”
Alignment (4 conferences):
North: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto St. Patricks, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets
West: Anaheim Ducks, California Golden Seals, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Salt Lake Grizzlies, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken
Midwest: Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Barons, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Milwaukee Admirals, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues
East: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals