OOTP Developments Forums - What if the NHL took in all 6 WHA teams?

OOTP Developments Forums (https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com//index.php)

- FHM 6 - Dynasty Reports (https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com//forumdisplay.php?f=3975)

- - What if the NHL took in all 6 WHA teams? (https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com//showthread.php?t=307243)

What if the NHL took in all 6 WHA teams?

In an alternate universe, the NHL decides instead of leaving the Cincinnati Stingers and Birmingham Bulls out to dry, the NHL makes them part of the merger, bringing the NHL to 23 teams instead of 21.

Also, the NHL decides to drop the Wales and Campbell conferences in favor of a geographical division alignment and 2 geographical conferences; East and West.

How will a small change in the merger affect the future of the NHL?

CONFERENCE AND DIVISION ALIGNMENTS:

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division:
Boston Bruins
Quebec Nordiques [From WHA]
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Hartford Whalers [From WHA]
New York Rangers

Atlantic Division:
Atlanta Flames
Buffalo Sabres
New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
Washington Capitals

Western Conference

Central Division:
Detroit Red Wings
Cincinnati Stingers [From WHA]
Birmingham Bulls [From WHA]
Chicago Blackhawks
St. Louis Blues
Minnesota North Stars

Pacific Division:
Winnipeg Jets [From WHA]
Edmonton Oilers [From WHA]
Vancouver Canucks
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Kings

Interesting concept! Can't wait to see how this goes!

This looks cool! I'm going to follow this

Looking forward to it, but I don't want to see the Flames move to Calgary but I want to see them stay in Atlanta as well as keeping the Bulls in Birmingham and maybe possible expansion to Florida.

Since the NHL allowed 2 skaters and 2 goalies to be protected from both the expansion draft AND the entry draft, who gets protected?

Cincinnati Stingers

We all know that Gretzky signed a "personal services" contract with the Oilers to prevent him from going 1st overall to the Rockies. In this universe, Mark Messier does the same with the Stingers.

Along with Messier, 116 point scorer Robbie Ftorek was the other skater protected. In terms of goalies, Mike Liut and Michel Dion return to the Stingers.

Birmingham Bulls

The Bulls decided to go with their top 2 scorers for protection; Rick Vaive and Michel Goulet. For goalies, they protect Pat Riggin and Wayne Wood. They protected wood because Ernie Wakely retired after the 1978-79 WHA season.

1979-80 CONFERENCE FINAL AND SCF MATCHUPS:

https://i.gyazo.com/8dae558ee223837a...f6d1c2cb17.png

Start of 1980-81 Season

After being on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor attendance, and a lack of marketing potential in such a small market, the owners of the Birmingham Bulls decide to sell the team to an ownership group based out of Dallas, who promptly relocated them into the brand new 16,500 seat Reunion Arena.

The Flames will stay in Atlanta because of this.

Notable retirements:
Gordie Howe
Bobby Hull
Dave Keon
Andre LaCroix
Stan Mikita