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Devils’ Kovalchuk not a fan of proposed realignment

Ilya Kovalchuk

CORRECTS TO KINGS WINNING 4-2, NOT 4-1 - New Jersey Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk answers a question from the media as the team packs up for the year in Newark, N.J., Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The Devils lost four game to two to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup final NHL hockey series. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

AP

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