First off the entire NHL is not going to be 100% with any decision over any proposed NHL realignment. From the simple shuffle such as moving Columbus or Detroit East to the 8 and 7 Divisions or even the adopting the NFL and MLB layouts there are going to be voices of decent. How loud depends on how many teams it will effect. There are also other considerations along with revenue sharing and the obvious disadvantage Western teams face in cost of time and money concerning travel. While the East seems content with current conditions many in the West want to a balance to the travel issues.

First Option is the Simple Transition: This actually favors Columbus as with Winnipeg not being a power house shifting timezones as when Quebec lost their Nordiques to Colorado. Columbus could land in the Southeast directly or bump Philadelphia out of the Atlantic. It could go either way. Should Detroit go East they would land in the Northeast with the Boston moving into the Atlantic and Pittsburgh or Philadelphia moving South. Some balancing issues aside there are only going to be a few cities crying foul. Probability is high IMHO as this would be the easiest option for the board of governors. Columbus is the first choice followed by Detroit. Nashville would be the pot luck.

Second option is the Regional 7-8 line up. I'm not going to delve too deep in who is going into what division. The main problem is the balancing issues as two divisions will have one more team. The positive outlook is that it gives the guys splitting up the NHL some play in selecting teams for their respective division. It's all about compromise as the other side of this coin includes the divisional playoffs followed by a restacking of teams in the semi-finals. This a travel cutting measure as an obvious boon to Western Teams. Probability is likely with a chance of screams heard round the NHL over division team counts and the playoffs. Some people don't like change. However, this may be Detroit's best chance to play in the Eastern Time Zone.

The None Option is the 2 Conferences with either East, Central, and West divisions or 7-8 regions. It's not going to happen as the guys in charge have only a few days to hammer out a compromise. This plan is a little too ambitious. If it were to happen it will bring a more balanced travel schedule and playoff travel distance. The biggest opponents would be the entire Eastern Conference. I favor this plan with high hopes and low expectations.

The time is nigh for the realignment with all waiting with bated breath on what will be finally decided until the next team travels. Then we can start this whole game over.