As part of the realignment plan, some 70 American aircraft and their crews are to be shifted to Iwakuni from elsewhere in Japan.

ECONOMIST: The local politics of ��realigning�� America's bases

The real point, however, is it may be the last time they ever play in a World Series if the proposed realignment plan is adopted.

FORBES: Realignment Proposal May Be Good For Business, But It's Bad For Baseball

The Red Wings will be in the Eastern Conference next season as part of the league's realignment plan, making their 13th best-of-seven series against the Blackhawks even more interesting.

WSJ: 4 of NHL's Original 6 among 8 still in playoffs

The league's board of governors thought it had the problem settled when a realignment plan that would change the current system from six divisions to four conferences was formed in December 2011.

WSJ: No decision yet on NHL players in Olympics

For the U.S., the revision of the realignment plan comes at a time when the nation is reinforcing its defense strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and winding down operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WSJ: U.S., Japan Scale Back Plan to Move Base

"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.

WSJ: Players' association gives OK to NHL realignment