NHL - Blue Jackets still hope for move to East

[NYBuckeye96]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hock ... rticleFull

Blue Jackets still hope for move to East
By Aaron Portzline / The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Thursday, November 17, 2011

Since the Blue Jackets joined the NHL more than a decade ago, they have dreamed of scenarios in which they could leave the Western Conference and join the conference that matches their spot on the map.

It could be less than three weeks away from becoming a reality.

The NHL’s Board of Governors is set to meet on Dec. 5-6 in Pebble Beach, Calif., a gathering that will almost certainly result in sweeping realignment for the league next season.

"Everyone is not going to get everything they want," Blue Jackets president Mike Priest said. "But we are hopeful that we’re going to come out of this in a better situation."

This much is known: After playing this season in the Eastern Conference, the Winnipeg Jets --formerly the Atlanta Thrashers --are headed west. There also is growing support for all 30 clubs playing each other in a home-and-home at least once each season.

After that, it’s a bit murky.

The prevailing feeling among general managers is that commissioner Gary Bettman favors a two-conference, four-division format with 15 clubs (one eight-team and one seven-team division) in each conference.

If that’s the case, either the Blue Jackets or the Detroit Red Wings will be on the move.

The Red Wings, an Original Six club, would certainly hold more sway among the governors, but it’s not that simple.

Clubs in the Western Conference have differing views on how important the Red Wings are to the conference. Calgary, Chicago, Edmonton and Vancouver --and possibly San Jose --do not need the draw of the Red Wings to sell out their arenas.

Many of those clubs might rather prefer the Red Wings head East, if only to ease the playoff path toward the Stanley Cup.

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has said that Bettman assured him Detroit would be the first club heading East, but he is said to have softened his stance in recent weeks.

A vote of 20 clubs is needed to pass any measure.

"If the determination is that only one team moves to the East, we want to be that team," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said.

Elliott Friedman of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation unveiled a scenario on Hockey Night in Canada last month that many general managers say is close to what could be approved. It had Columbus or Detroit in the East, playing in a division with Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Toronto. Whichever club doesn’t move would stay in the West to play in a division with Chicago, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg.

The future of the Phoenix Coyotes remains unsettled, and they could move eventually to the East if a local buyer is not found. In that scenario, the league would be unbalanced --16 in the East, 14 in the West --much like baseball has been for years.

The Blue Jackets’ desire to move east has many layers. The travel is cheaper and less strenuous, certainly, but they also see larger crowds --almost 1,000 per game --against Eastern Conference clubs.

"We believe we can build Columbus as a hockey market better in the East," Priest said. "Most of our fans grew up rooting for teams in the East."

Priest and Howson will attend the meetings for the Blue Jackets, but if Columbus is given a forum to argue their case, owner John P. McConnell will join the party.

"We’re all chattering about this (across the league)," Priest said. "Everybody’s checking in with everybody, seeing what their thoughts are."

[blue53]

I always thought they should have been in the east. But if they don't start winning soon, there won't be to many people left in the stands to watch

[dazed&confused]

I hope they do move to the east. I'll get to see Boston more then. By the way, got my tickets for Saturday, December 10. Go Bruins!

[buckeyeguy]

Has anyone noticed the difference in the outcome of the recent games when they've had a goalie who can actually STOP the pucks. Sanford's made some pretty good saves that I think we can all agree that Mason never would've stopped. The whole team seems to be playing with a lot more confidence now knowing they have a COMPETENT goalie in the net. I still say trade Mason if they can find ANY team willing to take him.