Week 8 Power Poll:

The NHL Board of Governor's are meeting today in California and the main thing that is on the agenda is realignment.

Back in October I wrote about teams that could be affected by realignment based on the current six division scenario. The only thing for sure was Winnipeg would be moving to the Western Conference and one team from the West would be moving to the East.

Since then another plan that has come up with the NHL going back to a four division format with two divisions having eight teams and two divisions having seven teams. The only problem with this plan is which teams are grouped in what divisions.

The latest proposal has teams grouped in the following divisions: 

Division 1: Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Colorado, Phoenix

Division 2: Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, Nashville, Winnipeg, Columbus

Division 3: Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Florida

Division 4: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Washington, New Jersey, Carolina 

Basically what is being proposed is the previous four division format that was in place before the last round of expansion with the NHL trying to figure out where to place teams that are in Non-Traditional Markets. While this proposal looks reasonable my guess is there will be some tweaking to it.

One thing to keep in mind is it takes 20 of 30 votes to agree on any realignment scenario. I have talked to people that cover the NHL and the only certain thing is nobody has any idea what will happen. Some think there is no way the four division format will happen while others think it is likely depending on how teams are grouped together.

My only request is if the NHL decides to go with a four division format they bring back the original division names Patrick, Adams, Norris & Smythe.

Here is the Power Poll for Week 8: 

1. Minnesota           17-7-3    37 points
The Wild are a much better hockey club than people give them credit for. 

2. Pittsburgh        16-7-4      36 points
Penguins are 5-1-1 since Sidney Crosby returned to the lineup. 

3. Detroit                16-8-1      33 points
Red Wings had won seven in a row before losing to Colorado on Sunday. 

4. Boston            16-7-1      33 points
Bruins finished the month of November 12-0-1 and has secured a point in it's last 14 games. 

5. Chicago            16-8-3      35 points
Jonathan Toews (9G, 9A in November) named 2nd Star of the month. 

6. N.Y. Rangers        15-5-3      33 points
Rangers have won five in a row and 12 out of their last 14 games. 

7. Vancouver         15-10-1     31 points
It was this time last season the Canucks got hot en route to the President's Trophy. They have won six of their last seven games. 

8. Philadelphia        15-7-3       33 points
The worst thing about Chris Pronger being out with knee surgery is we won't see him on 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic. 

9. Dallas                   15-10-1      31 points
A barrage of injuries will challenge the Stars depth as they try to stay on top in the Pacific Division. 

10. San Jose              14-8-1      29 points
The more I watch Logan Couture (10G, 9A) the more I'm convinced he is destined for great things in the NHL. 

11. Buffalo            14-11-1      29 points
Nice to see the Sabres stand up for their goalie after Ryan Miller was run by Jordin Tootoo. 

12. Toronto        14-10-2      30 points
The return of James Reimer in goal is a welcome sight for Leafs fans. 

13. St. Louis            14 -9-3      31 points
Blues are 8-2-3 since Ken Hitchcock took over as head coach. So far the coaching change is working. 

14. Florida            14-8-4      32 points
Panthers are tied for most road wins in the NHL with Philadelphia (9 wins) 

15. Washington        13-11-1      27 points
Dale Hunter 1-2 in his first week as coach of the Capitals. 

16. Los Angeles        13-9-4      30 points
Jonathan Quick (2-0, 0.50 GAA, .987 save percentage) named 3rd Star of the week. 

17. Phoenix           13-9-3      29 points
Coyotes had given up 10 1st period goals in 24 games before giving up four goals in the 1st period against Philadelphia. 

18. Edmonton         13-11-3      29 points
Oilers went 0-6 on the Power Play Saturday against Calgary. Currently ranked 4th in the NHL. 

19. Colorado            13-13-1      27 points
Ryan O'Reilly (Seven points in four games) named 2nd Star of the Week. 

20. Nashville           12-10-4      28 points
Predators have scored nine power-play goals in their last eight games. 

21. New Jersey        12-12-1      25 points
I went to Xcel Center on Friday looking forward to watching Martin Brodeur play. He lasted a little over 8 minutes before being pulled after giving up three goals in the 1st period. 

22. Ottawa              12-11-3      27 points
Milan Michalek is tied for first in the NHL with 16 goals. Nobody expected that. 

23. Tampa Bay       11-12-2      24 points
Steven Stamkos is also tied for first in the NHL with 16 goals. Nobody is surprised by that. 

24. Montreal          11-11-5      27 points
Canadiens finished California Road Trip 1-1-1. 

25. Winnipeg           11-11-4      26 points
The wait was 15 years for fans in Winnipeg but no win this season will be sweeter than the 1-0 victory over Phoenix last Thursday. 

26. Calgary              11-13-2      24 points
Welcome back to the NHL Joe Piskula. 

27. N.Y. Islanders    8-11-5     21 points
Matt Moulson (4 goal game Saturday night) named 1st Star of the week. 

28. Carolina             8-16-4      20 points
Kirk Muller has a long rebuilding task ahead in Carolina. 

29. Anaheim           7-14-5      19 points
Still looking for first win under Bruce Boudreau (0-2) 

30. Columbus        7-16-3      17 points
Blue Jackets lineup should get a boost with the return of Kristan Huselius from IR. Missed the first 25 games of the season after injuring pectoral muscle while lifting weights in the off-season.