History edit
1967–1989: subhead here edit
Between 1942 and 1967, the National Hockey League (NHL) consisted of six teams, nicknamed the "Original Six": the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Black Hawks.[1]
The NHL underwent a divisional realignment prior to the 1974–75 season that saw the Flyers and Penguins separated: while Philadelphia joined the Patrick Division of the Clarence Campbell Conference, Pittsburgh played in the Norris Division of the Prince of Wales Conference.[2]
1989–2000: subhead here edit
2000–2006: subhead here edit
2006–present: Giroux–Crosby years edit
In 2011, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman proposed another divisional realignment that would separate the Flyers and Penguins, which under Bettman's proposed schedule meant that the two teams would meet only twice per season. Managerial staff from both teams resisted Bettman's proposal, with then-Flyers president Peter Luukko telling The Times Herald, "This is a big rivalry that means a lot not only to us as a franchise, but to our fans, their fans, and the entire state of Pennsylvania."[3] The divisional realignment ultimately approved that December by the NHL Board of Governors was able to retain the Flyers-Penguins rivalry by placing them in the same conference as Washington, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida, and the two New York teams.[4] This reorganization, set to go into effect during the 2012–13 season, stipulated that teams in the same conference would play each other six times during each regular season.[5]
Impact edit
References edit
- ^ Klein, Cutler (June 22, 2016). "From six teams to 31: History of NHL expansion". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "NHL names new divisions". The Morning Call. Associated Press. October 3, 1974. p. 60. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Flyers, Penguins join forces to fight proposal of realigning the divisions". The Times Herald. October 31, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Hackel, Stu (December 5, 2011). "Updated: Realignment consensus wasn't easy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (December 5, 2011). "Governors adopt radical realignment plan". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
