Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Proposed NHL Realignment And Schedule For 32 Teams

07/14/2021 at 10:00am EDT

What do you think of this proposal submitted by a KK reader?

I just read the story on the NHL announcing the 2021-2022 regular season schedule going back to the 4 division, 8 teams per division schedule. However, while it can’t be used for this coming season, now that the league has 32 teams I came up with a division realignment and 82 game schedule that the NHL may want to consider the following season (see below). It breaks the 32 teams down to eight 4-team divisions, similar to how the NFL is set up.

Highlights:

· The eight divisions are set up geographically which helps reduce travel expenses.

· Each team plays the other 3 teams in its division 6 times. This enhances the rivalries between the teams and allows for 2 games to be played in the same city between teams, similar to what was done with the four divisions this past year, further reducing travel costs. For example, the Pittsburgh Penguins could play the Philadelphia Flyers 2 back to back games in Pittsburgh, then later in the year 2 back to back games in Philadelphia, and then play single games in each city during another part of the year, most likely during the last month of the season.

· As shown below, each divisions’ teams play the other divisions’ teams in their conference either 3 games (for 2 divisions) or 2 games (for 1 division) during the season. The numbers of games played per division rotate over a 3 year period.

· Each division plays the other conference’s 16 teams 2 games per year.

· The 16 playoff teams could be the 8 division winners and then the next 4 best teams in each conference. Or you could go with the top 2 teams in each division.

· Gives Canadian teams a better shot at making the playoffs.

o Under the division winners plus next 4 best conference teams making the playoffs scenario, you’re guaranteed at least one Canadian team in the North West division and a 75% chance for another one in the North East division making the playoffs.

o Under the top 2 teams in each division making the playoffs scenario, you’re guaranteed to have at least 3 Canadian teams in the playoffs.

This schedule maintains the 82 number of regular season games, enhances rivalries, lowers travel costs, and still has each of the 32 teams visiting each NHL rink at least once during the season.

I’d appreciate it if you could let me know what you think of my proposal, either yay or nay.

Paul Cavote

Really like your schedule for the 8-division realignment, but I don't find your actual realignment plan.  If Detroit (Eastern Time Zone team) is placed w/ Chicago in the West, then your schedule needs tweaking to help make it reasonable or fair.  Also, the rivalry games I believe should not be placed at the end of the season because typically teams are resting up and getting healthy (if already playoff-bound), or just "playing out the string" (if eliminated from playoffs).  Place the rivalry games further inside the season where the playoff race is at its hottest.

Paul Cavote

My realignment plan - PLAN 1:  8 small divisions, 2 Conferences, 2 Flex teams:

WESTERN CONF: (15 West teams & 1 Flex team)

Northwest Div.: Edm., Cgy., Van., Sea.

Pacific Div.: SJS, LAK, Ana., VGK

Southwest Div.: (or Big West Div.:) Ari., Col., Dal., StL.

Midwest Div.: Wpg., Min., Chi., Det.(Flex team)

EASTERN CONF: (15 East teams & 1 Flex team)

Northeast Div.: Tor., Ott., Mtl., Bos.

Metropolitan Div.: NYR, NYI, NJD, Buf.

Mid-Atlantic Div.: CBJ, Pit., Phi., Wsh.

Southeast Div.: Nas.(Flex team), Car., TBL, Fla.

Paul Cavote

for my PLAN 1 - 8 small divisions - 2 Confs. - 2 Flex teams, the 2 Flex teams (Detroit & Nashville) play balanced East/West schedules to justify flexible placement into either the East or West playoff brackets as needed in order to best balance the overall strengths of each bracket.  If no Flex teams qualify for the playoffs, then 8 best East teams and 8 best West teams qualify.  If 1 Flex team qualifies, the 7 or 8 best East teams and 8 or 7 best West teams qualify.  If 2 Flex teams qualifies, the 6 to 8 best East teams and 8 to 6 best West teams qualify, again based on how best to place the Flex team(s) to best balance the total strengths of each bracket.

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 1 - 8 small divisions - 2 Confs - 2 Flex teams - SCHEDULING:

- 24 teams in divs. not having a Flex team each play 14 games w/ 3 teams in own div. (avg. 4.67 games ea. - rotate yearly), 33 games w/ 11 remaining sister teams in same conf. (3 games ea.), 5 games w/ 2 Flex teams (avg. 2.5 games ea. - rotate yearly), 30 games w/ 15 remaining teams in opposite conf. (2 games ea.).  Option to replace 1 or 2 games in own div. for 1 or 2 rivalry games w/ 1 or 2 sister teams in same conf., except not w/ div. having a Flex team.

- 6 non-Flex teams in divs. having a Flex team each play 12 games w/ 3 teams in own div. (4 games ea.), 36 games w/ 12 remaining sister teams in same conf. (3 games ea.), 10 games w/ 4 teams in opposite conf. having a Flex team (avg. 2.5 games ea. - rotate yearly), 24 games w/ 12 remaining teams in opposite conf. (2 games ea.).

- 2 Flex teams each play 12 games w/ 3 teams in own div. (4 games ea.), 30 games w/ 12 remaining teams in same conf. (avg. 2.5 games ea. - rotate yearly), 40 games w/ all 16 teams in opposite conf. (avg. 2.5 games ea. - rotate yearly).

FOR THOSE CONCERNED WITH DETROIT being placed in the West, take a closer look. Detroit is not a true West team - they are a Flex team, with Flex scheduling. In the "bad old days" when Detroit & Columbus were in the West in a 30-team league, the nightmare scheduling back then had each of them playing 24 games w/ 4 teams in their own 5-team div. (6 games ea.), a whopping 40 games w/ all 10 remaining sister West teams in own Conf. (4 games ea.), and just a measly 18 games w/ all 15 East teams in opposite Conf. (avg. 1.2 games ea. - rotate yearly). Compare that with a Flex schedule playing 40 games (not 18) w/ 15 East teams + Nashville, and playing 17 other games w/ the other remaining teams in the Central Time Zone (12 games in own div. + 5 games total w/ Dallas & St. Louis). Just a total of 3 additional away games in the other 3 sister West divs. (1 per div.) than what the East teams do now. That is extremely reasonable and doable for Detroit.

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 2 - 7 small to medium divisions - 3 Conferences

WESTERN CONF. (14 West teams)

Northwest Div.: Edm., Cgy., Van., Sea.

Pacific Div.: SJS, LAK, Ana., VGK, Ari.

Midwest Div.: Wpg., Min., Chi., StL., Col.

SPLIT CONF. (2 West teams & 2 East teams)

South Central Div.: Dal. (W), Nas. (W), TBL (E), Fla. (E)

EASTERN CONF. (14 East teams)

Northeast Div.: Det., Buf., Tor., Ott., Mtl.

Metropolitan Div.: Bos., NYR, NYI, NJD

Atlantic Div.: CBJ, Pit., Phi., Wsh., Car.

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 2 - 7 divisions - SCHEDULING:

- 20 teams in 5-team divs each play 16 games w/ 4 teams in own div. (4 games ea.), 16 games w/ 5 teams in sister 5-team div. in same conf. (avg. 3.2 games ea. - rotate yearly), 18 games w/ 4 remaining sister teams in same conf. + 2 sister teams in Split Conf. (3 games ea.), 32 games w/ 2 remaining teams in Split Conf. + 14 remaining teams in opposite conf. (2 games ea.).

- 8 teams in 4-team divs. (not in Split Conf.) each play 14 games w/ 3 teams in own div., (avg. 4.67 games ea. - rotate yearly), 36 games w/ 10 remaining sister teams in same conf. + 2 sister teams in Split Conf. (3 games ea.), 32 games w/ 2 remaining teams in Split Conf. + 14 remaining teams in opposite conf. (2 games ea.).

- 4 teams in Split Conf. each play 12 games w/ 3 teams in own div. (4 games ea.), 42 games w/ all 14 sister teams in one conf. (3 games ea.), 28 games w/ 14 remaining teams in other conf. (2 games ea.).

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 3 - 6 medium divisions - 2 Conferences:

WESTERN CONF:

Northwest Div.: Edm., Cgy., Van., Sea., Col.

Pacific Div.: SJS, LAK, Ana., VGK, Ari.

Central Div.: Wpg., Min., Chi., StL., Nas., Dal.

EASTERN CONF.

Northeast Div.: Det., Buf., Tor., Ott., Mtl., Bos.

Mid-Atlantic Div.: NYR, NYI, NJD, Phi., Pit.

Southeast Div.: Wsh., CBJ, Car., TBL, Fla.

my SCHEDULE available upon request.

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 4 - 6 medium divisions, 3 Conferences

WESTERN CONF. (10 West teams)

Northwest Div.: Edm., Cgy., Van., Sea., Col.

Pacific Div.: SJS, LAK, Ana., VGK, Ari.

SPLIT CONF. (6 West teams & 6 East teams)

North Central Div.: Wpg. (W), Min. (W), Chi. (W), Det. (E), Buf. (E), Tor. (E)

South Central Div.: Dal. (W), StL. (W), Nas. (W), Car. (E), TBL (E), Fla. (E)

EASTERN CONF. (10 East teams)

Northeast Div.: Mtl., Ott., Bos., NYR, NYI

Atlantic Div.: NJD, Phi., Pit., CBJ, Wsh.

my SCHEDULING available upon request.

Paul Cavote

my PLAN 5 - 5 medium to large divisions - 3 conferences

WESTERN CONF: (13 West teams)

Pacific Div.: Van., Sea., SJS, LAK, Ana., VGK, Ari.

Upper West Div.: Edm., Cgy., Wpg., Col., Min., Chi.

SPLIT CONF.: (3 West teams & 3 East teams)

South Central Div.: Dal. (W), StL. (W), Nas. (W), Car. (E), TBL (E), Fla. (E)

EASTERN CONF: (13 East teams)

Northeast Div.: Det., Buf., Tor., Ott., Mtl., Bos.

Mid-Atlantic Div.: NYR, NYI, NJD, Phi., Pit., CBJ, Wsh.

my SCHEDULING available upon request.

Paul Cavote

One more tidbit for my PLAN 1 - 8 small divisions - 2 Conferences - 2 Flex teams:

If Flex team Detroit makes the playoffs, and if Detroit is placed in the West playoff bracket, and if Detroit (being in the Eastern Time Zone), should match up with a West team in (or aligned with, like Arizona) the Pacific Time Zone, then the stronger seeded team in such a match up in any of the 1st 3 rounds gets to choose which playoff series format to use: either traditional (2-2-1-1-1), staggered (1-2-2-2 with weaker seed at home in 1st game), or economy (2-3-2) playoff series format.

Paul Cavote

Using an MLB/NFL theme, I came up with and tested a new improved 34-team NHL realignment (adding Quebec* & Houston*) that is fair and balanced and keeps East/West playoff brackets. It works by going retro including an NHL conference (NHC) and a WHA conference (WHC), using 8 divisions with iconic classic naming (from both NHL & WHA), a 6-team FLEX concept, and select RIVALRY games, with excellent team placement throughout:

NATIONAL HOCKEY CONFERENCE: [7 East teams (E), 3 Flex teams (FLEX) & 7 West teams (W)]- Use Traditional Black color NHL puck at home games

Adams Division: Toronto (E), Montreal (E), Boston (E), Buffalo (E)

Patrick Division: N.Y. Rangers (E), New Jersey (E), Pittsburgh (FLEX), Washington (E)

Norris Division: Detroit (FLEX), Chicago (W), St. Louis (W), Dallas (W), Tampa Bay (FLEX)

Smythe Division: Vancouver (W), Seattle (W), San Jose (W), Los Angeles (W)

WORLD HOCKEY CONFERENCE: [7 East teams (E), 3 Flex teams (FLEX) & 7 West teams (W)]- Use Classic Blue color WHA puck at home games

Canadian Division: Calgary (W), Edmonton (W), Winnipeg (W), Ottawa (E), Quebec*(E)

Eastern Division: N.Y. Islanders (E), Philadelphia (E), Carolina (E), Florida (E)

Central Division: Minnesota (FLEX), Columbus (E), Nashville (FLEX), Houston*(FLEX)

Western Division: Anaheim (W), Vegas (W), Arizona (W), Colorado (W)

How to determine which teams to place into either the National Hockey Conference or the World Hockey Conference:

- All Original 6 NHL teams place into National Hockey Conference (Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, N.Y. Rangers)

- Split all multiple teams in any Canadian province, U.S. state, or general territory so both conferences are represented (but split teams to have RIVALRY games together):

o General Territory: Pacific Northwest/Alberta: Flagship Alberta/Edmonton Oilers-WHA team existed all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Vancouver Blazers-WHA team existed 2 seasons then moved to Calgary, and Vancouver Canucks-NHL team remains stable for 50+ years. Calgary Cowboys-WHA team existed 2 seasons then folded, and Calgary Flames-NHL team is the original Atlanta Flames-NHL franchise. WHA made an attempt to relocate Baltimore Blades-WHA franchise to Seattle, but it fell through. Therefore, for geographical team/divisional alignment reasons, place Edmonton & Calgary together into World Conference and place Vancouver & Seattle together into National Conference.

o California: Los Angeles Kings-NHL is a 50-year NHL team, while Anaheim Ducks-NHL team is much younger and best geographically approximates average location between flagship Los Angeles Sharks-WHA team (existed 2 seasons then moved to Michigan) and San Diego Mariners-WHA team (existed 3 seasons). Therefore, place Los Angeles into National Conference and place Anaheim into World Conference. No WHA team in San Jose/San Francisco Bay area (WHA made initial attempt in S.F., but it fell through), while Oakland/California Seals-NHL team existed 9 seasons then moved to Cleveland, and San Jose Sharks-NHL team remains, so place San Jose into National Conference with Los Angeles to preserve their rivalry.

o Ontario: Toronto Maple Leafs-NHL is an Original 6 NHL team, while flagship Ottawa Nationals-WHA and Ottawa Civics-WHA teams each existed for/within a season. Therefore, place Toronto into National Conference and place Ottawa into World Conference.

o Quebec: Montreal Canadiens-NHL is an Original 6 NHL team, while flagship Quebec Nordiques-WHA team each existed for all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Therefore, place Montreal into National Conference and place Quebec into World Conference.

o New York: N.Y. Rangers-NHL is an Original 6 NHL team, while flagship New York Raiders/Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights-WHA team existed 2 seasons then moved to San Diego, and N.Y. Islanders-NHL team started when the WHA did as a response to block the WHA from Long Island. No WHA activity in city of Buffalo. Therefore, place N.Y. Rangers & Buffalo both into National Conference and place N.Y. Islanders into World Conference.

o Pennsylvania: No WHA activity in city of Pittsburgh, while flagship Philadelphia Blazers-WHA team existed inaugural season then moved to Vancouver. Therefore, place Pittsburgh into National Conference and place Philadelphia into World Conference.

o Florida: No WHA activity in city of Tampa Bay, while WHA made 2 attempts to locate/relocate WHA franchise(s) in Miami area as the Miami Screaming Eagles-WHA and Florida Breakers-WHA teams but could not secure an adequate arena. Therefore, place Tampa Bay into National Conference and place Florida into World Conference.

o 1 remaining Canadian team: Flagship Winnipeg Jets-WHA team existed all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Therefore, place Winnipeg into World Conference.

- No WHA activity in either cities St. Louis or Washington, so place both teams in National Conference.

- Ohio presence strong in WHA Flagship Cleveland Crusaders-WHA was Ohios first major league hockey team that existed first 4 seasons then moved to Minnesota, and Cleveland Barons-NHL team existed only 2 seasons then folded, while Cincinnati Stingers-WHA expansion team existed last 4 WHA seasons but was excluded from the merger. Therefore, place Columbus Blue Jackets into World Conference.

- Minnesota presence strong in WHA Flagship Minnesota Fighting Saints-WHA team existed much of first 5 seasons, while Minnesota North Stars-NHL team almost folded but survived when Cleveland Barons-NHL team folded and merged with team for survival, team later moved to Dallas. Therefore, place Minnesota into World Conference.

- Colorados first major league hockey team was Denver Spurs-WHA expansion team which existed part of a season then moved to Ottawa, Colorado Rockies-NHL team was unsuccessful in Denver, moving to New Jersey, and Colorado Avalanche-NHL team is the original flagship Quebec Nordiques-WHA franchise that existed all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Therefore, place Colorado into World Conference.

- Arizonas first major league hockey team was Phoenix Roadrunners-WHA expansion team that existed 3 seasons and Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes-NHL team is the original flagship Winnipeg Jets-WHA franchise that existed all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Therefore, place Arizona into World Conference.

- Carolina Hurricanes-NHL team is the original flagship New England/Hartford Whalers-WHA franchise that existed all 7 seasons then merged into NHL. Therefore, place Carolina into World Conference.

- Nashville Predators-NHL team best geographically approximates Birmingham Bulls-WHA team that existed in Alabama the last 3 WHA seasons but was excluded from the merger. Therefore, place Nashville into World Conference.

- Texas: No WHA activity in Dallas, while flagship Houston Aeros-WHA team was the first major league hockey team in Texas, existed first 6 seasons, then folded when preliminary merger talks excluded Houston. Therefore, place Dallas into National Conference and place Houston into World Conference.

- 2 remaining teams in League: New Jersey Devils-NHL & Vegas Golden Knights-NHL teams could each justify placement into either conference. Therefore, for geographical team/divisional alignment reasons, place New Jersey into National Conference and place Vegas into World Conference.

Paul Cavote

82-Game SCHEDULE with NO divisions or conferences:

There is a way to schedule team games having no divisions or conferences at all (boundless): First, figure out the ranking order of each team by average air travel distance that each team is from every other team - furthest team avg. is ranked 1st, closest team avg. ranked last. Then go thru team pairings in that order, round by round to create a schedule: play 2 teams 5 games ea., play 4 teams 4 games ea., play 6 teams 3 games ea., & play all other 19 remaining teams 2 games ea. - to get a total of 82 games played. In doing so, and making sure the 2 closest teams are played at least 4 times, I get:

  1. San Jose - 5 games ea. w/ LAK, Ana., 4 games ea. w/ VGK, Ari., Sea., Van., 3 games ea. w/ Col., Cgy., Edm., Dal., Wpg., Min., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  2. Vancouver - 5 games ea. w/ Sea., Cgy., 4 games ea. w/ Edm., SJS, VGK, LAK, 3 games ea. w/ Ana., Col., Wpg., Ari., Min., Dal., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  3. Seattle - 5 games ea. w/ Van., Edm., 4 games ea. w/ Cgy., SJS, LAK, Ana., 3 games ea. w/ VGK, Col., Ari., Wpg., Dal., StL., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  4. Los Angeles - 5 games ea. w/ VGK, SJS, 4 games ea. w/ Ana., Col., Sea., Van., 3 games ea. w/ Ari., Cgy., Dal., Edm., Wpg., StL., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  5. Anaheim - 5 games ea. w/ VGK, SJS, 4 games ea. w/ LAK, Ari., Col., Sea., 3 games ea. w/ Van., Cgy., Dal., Edm., Chi., Nas., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  6. Edmonton - 5 games ea. w/ Cgy., Sea., 4 games ea. w/ Van., Wpg., Min., Chi., 3 games ea. w/ Col., SJS, VGK, LAK, Ana., StL, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  7. Vegas - 5 games ea. w/ Ana., LAK, 4 games ea. w/ Ari., SJS, Col., Van., 3 games ea. w/ Sea., Cgy., Edm., Min., StL., Chi., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  8. Calgary - 5 games ea. w/ Edm., Van., 4 games ea. w/ Sea., Wpg., Min., StL., 3 games ea. w/ Col., SJS, VGK, LAK, Ana., Chi., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  9. Arizona - 5 games ea. w/ Col., Dal., 4 games ea. w/ VGK, Ana., SJS, StL., 3 games ea. w/ LAK, Sea., Van., Min., Nas., Chi., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  10. Florida - 5 games ea. w/ TBL, Car., 4 games ea. w/ Nas., Wsh., NJD, NYI, 3 games ea. w/ CBJ, Pit., Phi., StL., NYR, Det., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  11. Tampa Bay - 5 games ea. w/ Fla., Nas., 4 games ea. w/ Car., Wsh., CBJ, Dal., 3 games ea. w/ StL., Pit., Phi., Det., NJD, NYI, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  12. Boston - 5 games ea. w/ NYI, NYR, 4 games ea. w/ NJD, Mtl., Ott., Wsh., 3 games ea. w/ Phi., Buf., Tor., Pit., Car., CBJ, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  13. Dallas - 5 games ea. w/ StL., Ari., 4 games ea. w/ Nas., Col., Chi., TBL, 3 games ea. w/ Min., Ana., LAK, SJS, Sea., Van., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  14. Colorado - 5 games ea. w/ Ari., Min., 4 games ea. w/ VGK, Dal., Ana., LAK, 3 games ea. w/ Cgy., SJS, Sea., Nas., Edm., Van., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  15. Montreal - 5 games ea. w/ Ott., Tor., 4 games ea. w/ Bos., Buf., NYR, NYI, 3 games ea. w/ NJD, Phi., Pit., Wsh., Det., Car., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  16. Winnipeg - 5 games ea. w/ Min., Chi., 4 games ea. w/ Edm., Cgy., Det., Tor., 3 games ea. w/ CBJ, Buf., Sea., Van., LAK, SJS, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  17. N.Y. Islanders - 5 games ea. w/ NJD, Bos., 4 games ea. w/ NYR, Phi., Mtl., Fla., 3 games ea. w/ Wsh., Buf., Pit., Ott., Tor., TBL, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  18. Ottawa - 5 games ea. w/ Mtl., Buf., 4 games ea. w/ Tor., Bos., NJD, Min., 3 games ea. w/ NYR, NYI, Phi., Pit., Det., Wsh., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  19. N.Y. Rangers - 5 games ea. w/ NJD, Bos., 4 games ea. w/ NYI, Phi., Buf., Mtl., 3 games ea. w/ Wsh., Ott., Tor., Car., CBJ, Fla., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  20. New Jersey - 5 games ea. w/ NYR, NYI, 4 games ea. w/ Phi., Bos., Ott., Fla., 3 games ea. w/ Wsh., Buf., Mtl., Tor., CBJ, TBL, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  21. Carolina - 5 games ea. w/ Wsh., Fla., 4 games ea. w/ Pit., Nas., Tor., TBL., 3 games ea. w/ NYR, Det., Bos., Chi., Mtl., Min., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  22. Philadelphia - 5 games ea. w/ Wsh., Pit., 4 games ea. w/ NJD, NYR, NYI, CBJ, 3 games ea. w/ Bos., Buf., Ott., Mtl., TBL, Fla., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  23. Washington - 5 games ea. w/ Phi., Car., 4 games ea. w/ Pit., Bos., TBL, Fla., 3 games ea. w/ NJD, NYR, NYI, Buf., Ott., Mtl., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  24. Nashville - 5 games ea. w/ CBJ, TBL, 4 games ea. w/ StL., Car., Dal., Fla., 3 games ea. w/ Chi., Det., Tor., Col., Ari., Ana., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  25. Minnesota - 5 games ea. w/ Wpg., Col., 4 games ea. w/ Chi., Ott., Cgy., Edm., 3 games ea. w/ Dal., Car., Ari., VGK, Van., SJS, 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  26. Toronto - 5 games ea. w/ Buf., Mtl., 4 games ea. w/ Det., Ott., Car., Wpg., 3 games ea. w/ CBJ, NJD, NYR, NYI, Bos., Nas., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  27. Buffalo - 5 games ea. w/ Tor., Ott., 4 games ea. w/ Pit., Det., NYR, Mtl., 3 games ea. w/ Phi., NJD, Wsh., NYI, Bos., Wpg., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  28. St. Louis - 5 games ea. w/ CBJ, Dal., 4 games ea. w/ Nas., Chi., Ari., Cgy., 3 games ea. w/ TBL, Fla., VGK, LAK, Edm., Sea., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  29. Pittsburgh - 5 games ea. w/ Det., Phi., 4 games ea. w/ CBJ, Buf., Wsh., Car., 3 games ea. w/ Tor., NYI, Ott., Mtl., Bos., TBL, Fla., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  30. Columbus - 5 games ea. w/ Nas., StL., 4 games ea. w/ Pit., Det., Phi., TBL, 3 games ea. w/ Tor., NJD, NYR, Bos., Fla., Wpg., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  31. Detroit - 5 games ea. w/ Pit., Chi., 4 games ea. w/ CBJ, Tor., Buf., Wpg., 3 games ea. w/ Ott., Nas., Car., Mtl., TBL, Fla., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.
  32. Chicago - 5 games ea. w/ Det., Wpg., 4 games ea. w/ StL., Min., Dal., Edm., 3 games ea. w/ Nas., Car., Ari., VGK, Cgy., Ana., 2 games ea. w/ all remaining 19 teams.

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]