The NHL had a plan in place to realign itself into four conferences; two eight team conferences and two seven team conferences. The NHLPA apparently has a problem with that, as it would create a competitive imbalance for teams reaching the playoffs. There are also some issues about travel, and the NHLPA thinks it would create more travel for its players.
This is the basis for the NHLPA argument from the mouth of Donald Fehr:
On the evening of December 5, 2011, the NHL informed the NHLPA that they proposed to put in place a four-conference format beginning with the 2012-13 season. As realignment affects Players’ terms and conditions of employment, the CBA requires the League to obtain the NHLPA’s consent before implementation.
Fehr said there are to large issues here:
Two substantial Player concerns emerged: (1) whether the new structure would result in increased and more onerous travel; and (2) the disparity in chances of making the playoffs between the smaller and larger divisions.
So far it looks like the NHL is dragging their feet in giving the Union more data to study this issue. Fehr said:
In order to evaluate the effect on travel of the proposed new structure, we requested a draft or sample 2012-13 schedule, showing travel per team. We were advised it was not possible for the League to do that. We also suggested reaching an agreement on scheduling conditions to somewhat alleviate Player travel concerns (e.g., the scheduling of more back-to-back games, more difficult and lengthier road trips, number of border crossings, etc.), but the League did not want to enter into such a dialogue.
This is something of a mess now. The NHL needs to do something to realign itself and create a better business model. The alternative right now would be to contract two teams and make four seven team conferences. The Union is certain to oppose that move, even though it might make more sense.
The Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue jackets have large financial issues, and contracting those to teams may work better than a realignment plan that left little to no room for relocation of those teams.
For mow the NHLPA is not going to give its consent to this plan as it currently stands. Fehr had this to say:
The League set a deadline of January 6, 2012 for the NHLPA to provide its consent to the NHL’s proposal. Players’ questions about travel and concerns about the playoff format have not been sufficiently addressed; as such, we are not able to provide our consent to the proposal at this time. We continue to be ready and willing to have further discussions should the League be willing to do so.
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