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Ilya Kovalchuk is not pleased with the NHL's proposed realignment plans.

(Photo by Chuck Myers/MCT)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The NHL has proposed a realignment plan in which the league would go from six divisions to four, as well as changing the playoff system, and Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk doesn't like it.



The Atlantic and Central divisions would be in the East, while the Midwest and Pacific divisions would be in the West.



The Devils discussed it during a Players' Association meeting Wednesday.



"For us I don't think it makes any sense to change it," Kovalchuk said. "We have a great division with good travel for all the teams in our division. A lot of rivalry games."



The new Atlantic Division would be: Carolina, Columbus, the Islanders, Rangers, Devils, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.



The Central Division would be: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.

The Pacific Division would include: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver.

The Midwest Division would be: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg.



In the seven-team divisions, teams would play intraconference opponents three times per season and five of the six intradivision teams five times a season. The sixth opponent within the division would be played four times.



In the eight-team divisions, teams would play intraconference opponents three times and intradivision teams either four or five times per season on a rotating basis. There would also be a wild card playoff format.



"Overall, with 16 teams on our side and 14 teams over there, I don't think that's how it should be," Kovalchuk 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."

The top three teams in each of the four divisions would qualify for the playoffs. The last four spots would go to the two teams in each conference with the next-best records.



Kovalchuk feels moving either Detroit or Columbus to the East would've been enough.

"They had to change Winnipeg," he said. "I think if they just switched Detroit or Nashville it would be be better."



Travis Zajac was okay with the proposed realignment.



"I don't have a problem with anything," Zajac said. "I'm good with wherever they want us to play. I think it's just goingt to make the travel easier for Columbus and Detroit. For us it doesn't seem like we have to go too far out of our way to play those other teams."



His hometown team, Winnipeg, will move to the West.



"It sounds like we play every team home and away. We would come here once a year, so it's not the end of the world," Zajac said.

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Zajac bought 20 tickets and another 20 or 30 friends bought their own tickets to tonight's game. It will be his first NHL game in his hometown.



"It's been a great experience. I got to hang out with some family yesterday," Zajac said. "With some friends and family coming to the game, it's going to be exciting. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I think I'll be nervous before the game but once the game starts it will be just like a normal game."



He grew up in Winnipeg's North End, about 15 minutes from downtown.



"A lot of outdoor rinks. A lot of friends and family still live there. My parents still live there. I don't think they'll ever move," he said.



His last team in Winnipeg was the junior A St. James Canadiens when he was 16 years old.



His father still runs a gasoline station in town.



"I grew up pumping gas. All four boys worked as his gas station," Zajac recalled. "I remember instead of pumping gas we'd play baseball with the squeegies. Tape up a tape ball and try not to hit customers."



Zajac lives just west of the city in the offseason.

* * *



Tim Sesitito, recalled from Albany, joked about his penalty minutes in AHL. He has 88 penalty minutes in 50 games, along with 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists).



"I had a few nights where maybe my mouth might've gotten me in trouble a little bit," he said. "Disagreements with the ref."

He is happy to be back in the NHL.



"Absolutely. It's always exciting to be here. It's an opportunity," Sestito said. "When you see a guy like (Stephen) Gionta, who got his chance last year and established himself as a big part of this team, you just want to come and fit in and contribute."



Sestito said he received some instructions.



"From talking to the coaches, we have to play well in our end. But we also want to play in the offensive zone. You don't want to just settle in the D zone. You want to work the puck down low, get some shots and eat up the clock. The game is a lot easier when you're playing offense."

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; Devtwitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils