NHLPA approves NHL's 2013-14 realignment plan

Don Fehr and the NHLPA rejected a previous realignment plan unilaterally created by the NHL. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The NHL players union has approved an NHL realignment plan scheduled for the 2013-2014 season.

“After discussions with the Executive Board, the NHLPA has given consent to realignment, to be re-evaluated following the 2014-15 season,” NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr said through a statement.

The union's approval was the only obstacle for the new divisional realignment that will also include a new playoff format. In 2012, the NHLPA rejected a realignment plan unilaterally created by the NHL.

The NHL must now take the proposal to its Board of Governors for a vote. If approved, the new plan will go into effect starting with the 2013-14 season.

"The NHL Players' Association confirmed to us today that it has consented to a revised Plan for Realignment, effective for the 2013-14 season," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "Our next step will be to bring the proposed Plan for Realignment to the NHL Board of Governors for its consideration. We will update the status of the process as future developments warrant."

The realignment plan will reduce the number of divisions from six to four:

Atlantic: Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

Central: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto

Mid-West: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg

Pacific: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver