NHL approves expansion

• Division Realignment

The NHL's Board of Governors approved the Expansion Commitee's proposal for expansion and divisional realignment. The league granted new franchises to four cities. The winners are Nashville, TN, Columbus, OH, Minneapolis and Atlanta.

Nashville will begin play in the 1998-99 season, Atlanta joining a year later, Minneapolis and Columbus starting in the 2000-01 season.

Expansion will come with radical realignment with the two Conferences splitting to three divisions each. 16 teams will still make the playoffs; six division winners and five wild-cards from each Conference.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said that even though the deal is done, the league might hold a meeting during the summer to address some teams' concerns about the realignment.