Jets likely to play in Central time zone

Opinion

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This article was published 02/12/2011 (4137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two options have moved to the forefront as the NHL prepares to set a course for league realignment and both include the Winnipeg Jets playing in a Central time zone grouping.

The NHL’s board of governors will meet in Pebble Beach beginning Monday and concluding Tuesday with realignment the No. 1 topic on the agenda.

The governors will determine the framework of realignment Monday afternoon and then thrash out the details on Tuesday.

A vote and resolution is expected before they disperse. It should be noted that no Plan B has been put in place in case the Phoenix Coyotes eventually relocate.

If the Coyotes can’t be sold and kept in Arizona, but are relocated, they would retain their current divisional slot and be forced to reside there until the governors saw fit to make another change.

The league is determined to get realignment for next season off its plate and unless there’s a snag, Jets fans will know their team’s future by supper Tuesday.

The two courses of action the league will focus on are very different and could include a new playoff format.

Option A would see the league remain divided into six divisions with a simple swap of the Jets into the Western Conference’s Central Division and another team, likely the Detroit Red Wings or Columbus Blue Jackets, moving into the Eastern Conference.

Don’t expect multiple moves, as each team’s agenda is vastly different and based solely on what’s best for the individual club. The possibilities are endless and it’s understood that if the current format is to remain in place there will be very little movement.

Option B is the more interesting and would see the league divided into four new conferences, two with eight teams and two with seven teams.

The conferences would be geographically constructed and the Jets would join, let’s call it the Central Conference, a grouping with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and then either the Nashville Predators, Blue Jackets or Wings.

This format would also include a change in the playoffs with the top four teams in each conference qualifying for the post-season and then playing off against each other until a conference champion is determined.

The four conference champs would then meet in the semifinals.

The Jets will be happy in a division with other central time zone clubs and like the idea of developing rivalries with both the Blackhawks and Wild.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless