via Wikimedia Commons

The NHL has set a December deadline on realignment and most plans have the Predators or Blue Jackets moving eastward.  Detroit claims they've been given a backroom promise to join the Eastern Conference, and Bob McKenzie reported that the Red Wings might join the Southeast Division, which is ridiculous, but believable - this is the NHL after all. Through all of this, one constant remains:  Dallas would like to get themselves out of the Pacific Division and the Pacific Time Zone.

For my weekly column at SB Nation, I took a more logical approach.  Why not spread the brunt of travel throughout both conferences and use the NFL and MLB model to place an Eastern, Central and Western division in each conference?  In the article, I noted:

As with all suggested change, traditionalists will decry the suggestions above.

But I was wrong,  it's not traditionalists.  It's Eastern Conference fans.  My proposal has enjoyed near-universal support from Western Conference fans in comments, e-mails and on twitter.  It's enjoyed almost no support from Eastern Conference fans.  Apparently, time zone gaps and a tough travel schedule should be reserved for the Western Conference teams only.

Not all Eastern Conference fans hated it, poploser commented:

This a is thoughtful plan based on logic, actual metrics of importance, but also common sense. For those reasons, it will never be considered by the NHL.

Oh well, I tried.