Toronto rumored to move to Smythe division in late 80s?

[Eskie Jetski]

At the bottom of this page, this article was talking about a "sensible and cost-saving move" that had the approval of nearly league official except Harold Ballard. Apparently, there was some proposal that the league wanted to move Toronto to the Smythe division and Los Angeles to the Norris, according to the article. Was there any truth to this? And how is this sensible and cost-saving? The only way this could make any sense would be that it would make the Smythe an all-Canadian division and the Norris all-American.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-11-14/sports/sp-1747_1_maple-leaf-gardens/2

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[Jumptheshark]

At the bottom of this page, this article was talking about a "sensible and cost-saving move" that had the approval of nearly league official except Harold Ballard. Apparently, there was some proposal that the league wanted to move Toronto to the Smythe division and Los Angeles to the Norris, according to the article. Was there any truth to this? And how is this sensible and cost-saving? The only way this could make any sense would be that it would make the Smythe an all-Canadian division and the Norris all-American.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-11-14/sports/sp-1747_1_maple-leaf-gardens/2

If I am not mistaken the NHL for several years thought about putting the Oilers, Canucks, Flames, Jets, Leafs, Habs and Nordiques into one division-- but it did not fly because several of the original six team (bruins and red wings kicked up a storm over the idea) and when time zones were factored in--it did not make sense