12:38PM Friday
March 1, 2013

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