I know plans to revamp the schedule were scuppered last year, but I
think it is long overdue. Here's my 2 cents:
Add two expansion teams to bring the league up to 32 (means 50 % of
teams make playoffs).
Align into 4 divisions (North, West, South, Central). Exact teams will
vary depending on expansions and relocations but here is an example
West
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
LA
Anaheim
San Jose
Colorado
Phoenix
North
Ottawa
Toronto
Hamilton
Montreal
Buffalo
Boston
Detroit
Minnesota
Central (or call it east if you like)
New York
New Jersey
Islanders
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Columbus
Chicago
St. Louis
South
Dallas
Houston
Nashville
Atlanta
Tampa
Florida
Carolina
Wa****ngton
Teams play each team in their division 4 times = 28
They play teams in one other division 3 times = 24
They play the other 16 teams twice = 32
Total = 84 (only two more than now)
The divisions which play each other 3 times are rotated every year
eg. year 1 W vs. N, S vs. E, 2 W vs S, N vs E etc.
For playoff purposes, a "conference" is made up of the two divisions
whose teams play against each other 3 times that year.
The top 3 in each division, plus the next best two teams in that "
conference" make the playoffs. (or maybe best two and top 4 others ?).
Division winners seeded 1 and 2 in each conference, rest follow current
format.
In the playoffs, conferences cross over at the semi-final stage.
Eg top remaining seed in NW conf plays second remaining seed in SE and
vice versa.
Advantages:
1) each team hosts every other team at least once a season.
2) more variety in playoff matchups over the years
3) teams within a division could neet in final
Disadvantages
1) fewer games vs. local rivals
2) increased travel costs
3) two more games per year.
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