ideally (based on geography, nhl history and fanbase)...this is what MY 32 team league would look like...
Clarence S Campbell Conference
Conn Smythe Division
Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Seattle, Minnesota, North Dakota, Portland
James Norris Division
San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Dallas, Colorado, St. Louis, Kansas City, Houston
Prince of Wales Conference
Jack Adams Division
Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Boston, Detroit, Buffalo, Hartford
Lester Patrick Division
New York R, New York I, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago, Columbus
Relocation
IN - Winnipeg, Portland, Seattle, Kansas City, Hartford, Quebec
OUT - Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Florida
Expansion
North Dakota, Houston
Realignment
Chicago, Detroit, Columbus move from "West" to "East"
Schedule (see example below)
1 game (home/away alternate seasons) vs other conference = 12 games
Cal, Edm, Van, Wpg play 1 home 1 away vs Tor, Mtl, Ott, Qbc each year = 8 games
2/3 games vs other division = 20 games
6 games (3 home, 3 away) vs own division = 42 games
All-Star Game
Wales vs Campbell - winning conference gets home ice in cup finals
Playoffs
top 2 teams in each division get 1st round bye
3 vs 6, 4 vs 5 in each division play best of 5 series (2-2-1 format)
winner 3v6 playes 1, winner 4v5 plays 2 (2-2-1-1-1 format)
winner 3/6v1 plays winner 4/5v2 (2-2-1-1-1 format)
div winner vs div winner (2-3-2 format)
cup finals (2-3-2 format)
Canucks Schedule
Van vs Campbell Conf
Van vs Cal = 6
Van vs Edm = 6
Van vs Wpg = 6
Van vs Sea = 6
Van vs Por = 6
Van vs Min = 6
Van vs ND = 6
--------------------
Van vs SJ = 3
Van vs Ana = 3
Van vs LA = 3
Van vs Col = 3
Van vs Dal = 2
Van vs Hou = 2
Van vs Stl = 2
Van vs KC = 2
-----------------------
TOTAL GAMES = 62
Van vs Wales Conference
Van vs Tor = 2
Van vs Ott = 2
Van vs Mtl = 2
Van vs Qbc = 2
Van vs Bos = 1
Van vs Det = 1
Van vs Buf = 1
Van vs Hfd = 1
-----------------------
Van vs NYR = 1
Van vs NYI = 1
Van vs NJ = 1
Van vs Phi = 1
Van vs Pgh = 1
Van vs Wsh = 1
Van vs Cbs = 1
Van vs Chi = 1
-----------------------
TOTAL GAMES = 20