AHL changes should make everyone happy

By Jim den Hollander

Editor Midwest Hockey

The new American Hockey League Alignment makes for some better geographical rivals for all of the Midwest teams.

But more than that, it just makes sense for everyone involved.

Winners

Iowa Stars — While overall travel changes may be negligible, it’s just good to see the Stars among all of Midwest based teamsd that make up the new Central Division. Previously in a division with Charlotte, the Texas teams and Oklahoma City, the Stars now join their Midwest brethen from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio along with Winnipeg which, while not offically a Midwest team, is about as close as you can get.

Also, non Midwest teams like Rochester and Utica should benefit travelwise by being moved into the Eastern groups, for the Amerks, finally being in the same division as Syracuse should make its many games with its upstate foe more interesting and Utica will also be more comfortable  in this division as far as travel is concerned I suspect.

Losers 

The Charlotte team fulfills the need of the Carolina Hurricanes, having its affiliate close by, but its location is somewhat of a pink elephant. Perhaps its would be best to have this team in one of the two Eastern Divisions, but  for now it is the one long trip all of the teams in that division will make each season. Of course, it will mean a lot more miles for the Checkers as well.

Going from six divisions to four should allow the league to have Divisional playoffs like the NHL now does rather than seeding all conference teams from 1-8. That will also help to intensify rivalries and it also means that the dreaded west coast trip will affect one of the playoff teams from the Central Division in one series in the post season .

Both the playoff format and regular season will be announced later in the summer, but one can assume teams will all have an overload of games against Divisional rivals and maybe just one or two West Coast type trips during the regular season.

I can’t wait to see it.