Count Ilya Kovalchuk among the NHLPA members not thrilled with the NHL’s latest realignment proposal.
“For us I don’t think it makes any sense to change it,” Kovalchuk told the New Jersey Star-Ledger. “We have a great division with good travel for all the teams in our division. A lot of rivalry games.”
This past week has seen a lot of developments on new-look conferences and proposed playoff formats (see related posts below.)
Earlier this morning, TSN’s Darren Dreger said some players weren’t thrilled with the prospect of imbalanced conferences -- the East would have 16 teams while the West would have 14 -- and the idea of wildcard playoff spots.
Kovalchuk re-iterated that feeling.
“Overall, with 16 teams on our side and 14 teams over there, I don’t think that’s how it should be,” he said. “And then those wild cards and all that. I don’t think it makes too much sense.
“Hockey should stay hockey. It doesn’t have to be football.”
Related
Report: NHL introduces new realignment plan
Dreger: 50-50 chance players support realignment proposal
Daly: NHL will address how expansion/relocation impacts realignment if it happens
More proposed realignment changes: Two conferences, four divisions