NEW YORK - The NHL's planned division re-alignment has been blocked by the players' union.
The plan to change from six divisions to four conferences for next season had been approved pending consent from the NHL Players' Association.
But in a statement the league said the union would not allow the change to be made.
Instead the NHL will maintain its current alignment and playoff format for next season.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was unable to address the union's unspecified concerns with the change.
Daly added the league would look at its legal options.
