The league said it will stick to its current format

The change to a four-conference setup was approved 26-4 in December by the NHL's board of governors. Under the plan, the moncler jackets top four teams in each conference would make the playoffs and the first two rounds of the playoffs would be played within the conference.

The league said it will stick to its current format — six divisions, with the top eight teams in the Eastern and Western conferences making the playoffs — for next season.

STORY: Original story after December vote

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued the following statement:

"It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players.

"We have now spent the better part of moncler women jackets four weeks attempting to satisfy the NHLPA's purported concerns with the plan with no success. Because we have already been forced to delay and, as a result, are already late in beginning the process of preparing next season's schedule, we have no choice but to abandon our intention to implement the realignment plan and modified playoff format for next season.

"We believe the union acted unreasonably in violation of the league's rights. We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate."

The NHL was forced to realign because the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg and were temporarily kept in the Southeast Division. The league needed to move the Jets to the Western Conference. A one-for-one swap was possible, but a four-conference setup was also pitched.

The realignment plan was viewed as more advantageous to the Western Conference teams because it set up conferences based on time zones, thus cutting back on travel.

Because it required that every team play a home-and-home with at least every other team in the league, that meant more travel and wear-and-tear for teams in the Eastern Conference.Moncler jackets, cheap moncler vest, moncler boots 2011 outlet.

Also, under the setup, the westernmost conferences had eight teams and the easternmost conference had seven. That meant there was less of a chance to make the playoffs in the West.

"It is incorrect (and) inaccurate to report that the NHLPA 'rejected' the NHL's realignment plan," agent Allan Walsh said on Twitter. "Never happened. League imposed deadline of (today)."

The league and NHLPA cheap moncler will being negotiating a collective-bargaining agreement around the All-Star break. The current agreement runs out on Sept. 15.