Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Major realignment coming for 2012-13 season?

2 Conferences (15 teams each)
4 Divisions the Pacific, Midwest, East and South. (two with 8, two with 7) home-and-home against teams outside their division and top 4 from each division are in the playoffs.

Including Detroit and Columbus moving EAST!

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/stor...2ef7b2662ee2e8

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Eastern Conference:

Eastern Division:
Boston
Buffalo
Detroit
Montreal
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
Toronto
Ottawa

Southern Division:
Carolina
Florida
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay
Washington


Western Conference

Mid-West Division:
Chicago
Colorado
Columbus
Dallas
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis

Pacific Division:
Anaheim
Calgary
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver
Winnipeg

I didn't know how they planned to move both Detroit and Columbus east, but if only Detroit goes, I think this will be how it shakes out. :2

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Re-alignment issues aside, I'm curious how they will justify the 7 division teams having a better shot of making it into the top 4 than the 8 division teams.

Why not just take the top 2 or top 3 from each division and have the remaining 4 or 2 spots be "wild cards" for the remaining best records within the conference?

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Man o man...I went to a concert last night and heard about this there. I can't figure it. I figured they were going to move Carter as they needed cap space, but didn't see them trading Richards. Wow.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

The new NHL team in Winnipeg will go with what the city's original team was named -- the Winnipeg Jets, sources told ESPN.com Friday.

The team is expected to announce it Friday night at the NHL draft in St. Paul, Minn.


Ever since the announcement that the Atlanta Thrashers were moving to Winnipeg, fans have debated what to call the team. The overwhelming choice has been Jets -- what the team was called before it moved to Phoenix in 1996 and became the Coyotes. Other options included Winnipeg Falcons, Manitoba Falcons, and Manitoba Moose, which was the name of the AHL team there

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

You could always contract Phoenix and Florida to make all 4 divisions have 7 teams. Then you could have a contraction draft to allow the remaining teams to pick up the talent. ;)

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

I heard Bettman is for expansion to 32 teams in the near future, not contraction.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

That's possibly the worst idea ever.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Although I don't mind Bettman's realignment plan (minus expansion), here's my take on ditching conferences altogther and picking 4 divisions. Top 16 teams by points, wins, h2h, etc make it into the playoffs. 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, etc. Home & home vs everyone, 2 x h&h for division, split up the rest of the games.

Here's my idea of the 4 divisions...

Great Lakes
BUF
CHI
CLB
DET
MIN
MTL
OTT
TOR

Western
ANA
CAL
EDM
LA
PHX
SJ
VAN
WIN

Atlantic
BOS
NJ
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WAS


Southern
CAR
COL
DAL
FLA
NSH
STL
TB

Take a look at this fan-map. It's where I derived my divisions from. Note, Winnipeg is still listed as ATL and please forgive the stupid title, I didn't create it.

http://broadstreetbuzz.com/files/2011/06/nhl-maps.png

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

That would be fun, Mike, if they are gonna re-align, go big time. :r

Don't think it's too likely though. :hn

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Not likely, but I think it would work well. Rivalries are there, travel would be reduced...a man can dream :r


I think a lot of the problem with aligning the NHL is that almost 3/4 of the teams are in the Eastern & Central timezones, and the West is geographically dispersed. Not to mention rivalries, original 6 considerations, and the fact Bettman is an idiot.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

I hate the travel argument as I want to see more travel not less.
Part of my reason for not getting season tickets this year is I am done watching pacific teams 6 damn times each in one season. I get to see Eastern teams often once every 2 years and the Ducks too many damn times.

A balanced schedule would be nice.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Nice pick by the Bruins in the draft. I was surprised to see Hamilton fall to #9.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Huh. I think San Jose just over paid with that trade for a defenseman.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

I know you like Devin, I do too....but Burns is solid. :2

Hawks trade Brower for a pick (I was sure he wasn;t going to be back), then shed 4.1 MIL is salary by trading Campbell to Tallon's Panthers for Olesz. A downgrade for sure, but between Troy, Brian and the salary cap bump, they have $12 MIL per year to lock up Patrick Sharp and sign some FAs.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

If it was straight up or Seto and this years pick okay, but Coyle was a stud this year and some of us fans thought he had a bright future. Played on US Jr team last year as well.

Seto signed for 3 years Burns is a UFA after this season. Seto is only 24 also.

Nice ditching soupys K. Wish Sharks could move Heatley. Seto package was only way I saw that happening so now Sharks are stuck with that also.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Ohh I agree Burns is solid big puck moving Dman whos a righthand shot. I think hes a good Dman, but also has a concussion history.

Just hope this works out and hes with yhe club more then 1 year. Going to really sting if that happens.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Not familiar with Coyle, thanks for the heads up.

Trade Burns straight up for Rostislav Olesz? :D

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

So many trades! Hawks dumped a bunch of salary. Campbell was getting overpaid so I thought that was a good move.

Sharks getting a big upgrade on D. It is kinda tough giving up Setogutchi though in what could just be a year rental.

Wings again trade their first round pick, for additional second rounders. Gotta checkout who these new guys are.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Gabriel Landeskog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtVG7KMhjxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur1UzjL5ljs

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Hawks got Saad mid 2nd round, he was rated as high as #6 before his groin injury. Could be a sleeper! :tu

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

:hm

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

'zactly.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Follow the money. If travel costs is really the deal breaker, it'll be reflected in the final outcome.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Its been quite and exciting off season so far, especially with the Jets returning to the NHL.

As a Winnipeger it has been pretty surreal experience.

To add to everything I have had a surreal experience of my own in the last month. On May 27th I signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks to be the Video Coach for their American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford!

I realized at quite an early age that I wasn't going to play hockey as a profession but it took me two years of pursuing a degree in Microbiology to realize that I could still work in the sport. With an abrupt change in career paths three years of schooling pursuing a degree in Sport Management, countless hours of volunteering and a year long internship I can now say that I have realized part of my dream!

I have to report to Chicago August 29th, to get things rolling for the Blackhawks rookie tournament and training camp and I really don't things will sink in until then. I do know one things for sure, I have never wanted a summer to go by faster then this one! :D

I thought I would share with you guys because you are all passionate about hockey and I figured you would appreciate it!:ih

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

I see a herf in order in late August. ;)

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Mini-Herf in November when my kid's team comes up for the Bauer International Invite Nov 3-6!

-(P

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

That is awesome! Congrats, Matt!

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

:banger

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Just 8 left from the 2010 Cup winning roster.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Was going to make a Marlins reference but right now thats still better then the Sharks. :r

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Salary dumping when the cap is going up that must make good talk radio?

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Congrats Matt! Glad to hear your dreams are coming true. I wish you the best going forward.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

For-sure on both accounts! I still need to smoke a celebratory cigar (I'm sure that won't be the case by then though:D)

Thanks Guys! If you guys are ever in my neck of the woods or vice versa I'll have a few tickets waiting! :tu

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Back on the NHL front...to me it seems like this has been one of the busiest starts to an off-season in recent memory!

Should be interesting to see what happens with Stamkos in a couple days. I'd throw and offer sheet his way if he isn't signed come July 1st.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Well done Matt.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

:ih

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Richards back to Tampa? That would be awesome.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Bruins say goodbye to Michale Ryder,and sign Benoit Pouliot from the Habs.
It will be interesting how he is welcomed? This guy tried to take Johnny Boychucks head off with a flying elbow to the head in the playoffs.
Pouliot was drafted number four in 05 but has been a dud so far.
We will see?

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

My Flyer's head is spinning... Jagr, Talbot, Lilja in...Versteeg out. Leino signs with Buf. Let alone last week's activity. It' going to take me half of the season to figure out who's who! :r
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

As a Penguins season ticket holder and die-hard fan.....I can honestly say that Jaromir Jagr is now the all-time most hated sports athlete that has ever played in Pittsburgh, beating out Barry Bonds. :sl

Joel, you'll love Talbot. Great character guy, awesome on the PK and big goals in clutch times. Don't expect a lot of goals from him.

Matt....Congratulations, that's awesome. Good luck brother :tu

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Montador. O'Donnell. Brunette. Carcillo. Mayers.

Hawks got tougher, and will have some veteran leadership on the 3rd and 4th lines. I like it. :tu

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

I know you love jamal. :r

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

He is a Blackhawk now! :r :r

Could have been worse....coulda been Raffi Torres.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Wings sign Mike Commodore, not going to replace Rafalski by any means but adds a D guy to the 5th or 6th spot. Looks like we'll probably end up throwing money at Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, or Ian White. We'll see what happens. We resigned Jonathon Ericsson which I'm not too excited about. He's getting a huge raise and I think he regressed last season. Expectations are high for him to move up in the D rotation.

Brad Richards also finalized his final 4, no winged wheel for him but I don't think there was ever interest on his side.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

No lightning bolt either. :td

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

The rumor mill is churning in Boston, Chiarelli is being asked if he would consider an offer sheet to Steven Stamkos.
I would love to see it but it's more like reporters stirring the pot :r

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

Big mistake...he is worthless at this point. :2

He is a Ranger for the next 9 years. Ho hum.

Re: NHL '10 - '11 Thread
 

As a Ranger fan I'm very happy how forwards are looking. :)