San Jose Sharks Looking For A Balanced Schedule at the NHL Board of Governers Meeting
by Mr. Plank on Dec 5, 2011 3:00 AM PST
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PrintHeading into this week's NHL Board of Governors meeting this week at Pebble Beach, the San Jose Sharks have two main priorities they will be advocating. The first is keeping the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference, and the second is a balanced schedule that will ensure the Sharks play each Eastern Conference team twice during the regular season.
Right now the Sharks play each team within their division six times, Western Conference opponents four times, and against the Eastern Conference at least once (with three opponents receiving the home and home treatment). This type of schedule emphasizes rivalries within the West and the Pacific Division, while largely ignoring the Eastern Conference.
Frankly, I prefer it that way. This comes with a caveat depending upon divisional alignment (more on that after the jump), but if the NHL sticks with a six division format an unbalanced schedule against the East is preferable.
One of the best things about the way the current schedule is set up is that the Sharks get a heavy dose of potential playoff opponents throughout the course of the season. This builds familiarity and competitive animosity, leading to a much more exciting postseason where the teams have some prior history to fall back upon. Furthermore, I like how the playoff race is directly tied into how you do against the teams you are competing with-- finishing things off in regulation is much more important, and each game has implications that extend beyond just your record.
It should be stated that from a business standpoint the balanced schedule makes more sense. With the majority of the major media outlets located on the East Coast, along with the fact that four out of the top five highest valued franchises are in the Eastern Conference*, gaining more exposure in those markets could open up more revenue streams for the franchise to capitalize on. Furthermore, seeing the likes of Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos twice a year is an intriguing opportunity for fans of hockey across North America to watch stars from the east play twice a year.
*If Detroit moves East the five most valuable franchises would be in the Eastern Conference.
Skepticism from myself aside, it appears that the balanced schedule looks to be gaining steam heading into today's meeting. If it occurs, divisional alignment (which is also on the agenda) will affect how many games the Sharks would play against divisional and Conference opponents throughout the year.
In other words, a "balanced" schedule with the Eastern Conference would lead to an imbalance against the rest of the Western Conference under the current alignment. This is unless the NHL returns to divisional opponents playing eight games against one another, which doesn't seem likely considering they scrapped that format in 2008-2009.
The second option would be to reduce each Conference from six divisions to four, with each division having either seven or eight teams. Most estimates have speculated that the Sharks would play in an eight team division with Anaheim, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Colorado, with the Stars moving to the Central Division along with Winnipeg.
In this scenarios the Sharks would have seven opponents in their division (the "Pacific") and seven opponents in the other NHL division (the "Central"). Here is how those matchups would break down with a balanced schedule:
As we can see here, there would be an imbalance of games against Western Conference opponents excluding Option D. This option (which I have bolded) is the one that has received the most attention and looks to be the proposal NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be presenting at the Board of Governors meeting.
That proposal would have the Sharks play a home and home against every team outside of the Pacific, with the rest of their games being played against Anaheim, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Colorado. San Jose would play each of these teams at least five times, with three opponents receiving a nice round number meeting of six games.
Furthermore, there are all types of playoff implications that come with the four division alignment-- the first two rounds of the playoffs would be played within the division, meaning the top four teams in each division would make the postseason and not the top eight that currently do. I'm intrigued by that idea in principle as it emphasizes divisional play (making those games even more intense than they already are), but that means some teams would play an unequal amount of home and away games against their Division opponents.
It may be a bit antiquated, but I would really prefer an even number in that context considering how important divisional standings would become. Still, the pros to this system outweigh the cons-- the first two rounds of the playoffs would be excellent rivalry based games, generate significant interest from the casual viewer, and keep start times in or around the same time zone. That's a big win for television networks and advertisers, as well as fans and players.
What I really like about Option D (the proposal Bettman will be presenting this week) is that after the first two playoff rounds the winners advance out of their division and are re-seeded. This means that there is a potential for a San Jose-Pittsburgh semifinal or a San Jose-Chicago Stanley Cup. Ten years down the line that might not be as special (as San Jose would only play Chicago twice per regular season under this format, "cooling" the rivalry), but it's still a neat wrinkle that would make the League's playoff system even more exciting than it already is.
In summation-- I do not like the balanced schedule if the NHL sticks with the six division alignment, but I do like the balanced schedule if the NHL goes to four divisions
The Board of Governors is expected to discuss the proposal during their two-day meeting beginning today. It was initially reported that they would come to an agreement by the end of the meetings, but now it seems as if the deadline could be extended if a consensus is not reached.
The League requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass the proposal on realignment.
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Midseason Tournament
Bill Simmons uses the Idea for the NBA, but I think it could be great for the NHL as well. A midseason tournament (maybe right after the Winter Classic). Single Elimination between the conferences. The winners are guaranteed a playoff berth. Also, an end of the year single elimination tournament between the bottom 16 teams within the conference. The winners would secure the last playoff berth. I know it would be pretty radical, but it could help the schedule imbalance and draw attention to the league in terms of attracting casual fans.
Seven game series are like The Wire, you get to know every character very deeply and become attached over a long period of time. A single elimination tournament is like Ocean’s 11. You get to know the characters quickly, you are entertained for 2 hours, then you move on. The Wire is great for hardcore fans, the league might need a little more of Ocean’s 11.
I don’t like that “bottom 16 for the playoffs” idea.
I mean, it may be exciting… but it’s also unfair. You have a team like Columbus dwelling at the bottom of the standings for the entire season, and then they happen to win some games during the elimination tournament? That just doesn’t seem to work once the playoffs actually start.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
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I don’t like it either. It would definitely be fun and exciting, but competitively, you run into way too many issues.
If the NHL goes to a a four division league, with the top four teams in each division making the playoffs, I could see them having a one game “playoff” game between the 5th seed of the 8 team division vs. the 4th seed of the 7 team division, but that’s about as radical as it could go.
"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
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Yea, especially since in terms of the goal of the season, the regular season’s “purpose” is the determine playoff berths. You don’t just undermine the whole concept of what the regular season is supposed to entail for some retarded mini tournament.
Just trying to start conversation. Only two teams would get playoff berths from my obviously fantastical tournaments. No need to call my idea “retarded.” Anyway, alignment is out. I think it will be exciting to have some more Canadian teams in the division. Especially with the chance to develop/continue some serious rivalries with LAK, Ducks, and ’Nucks.
Moving Detroit east and nothing else is going to lead to the NHL and NBC cutting their nose off to spite their face
How do you expect anyone to care about your championship series if you blithely ignore one entire conference of your league? By comparison last season, the Lakers, Phoenix, Denver, San Antonio and Oklahoma City played on ABC last year for the NBA. Hell, they only picked four eastern teams. (Boston, Miami, Orlando, Chicago)
I’m not sure what the equivalent of OKC is in the NHL, but odds are they wouldn’t be on NBC.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
I really don’t like the 4 division set-up…
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I could go either way with 6 or 4 divisions, as long as they're put together intelligently.
But I really feel like not moving to a balanced schedule would be a mistake. Exposing fans more regularly to teams from the other conference would likely help playoff (and general TV) ratings and would increase the number of marquee games between the elite teams (not to mention giving the league an extra 8 Original Six matchups a year). Not to mention the boost in ticket revenue for teams that would get to see guys like Ovechkin and Crosby or teams like Detroit or San Jose draw in fans that might not normally show up if those players/teams are only around once every few years.
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I really like the balanced schedule
Some of my favorite games these past few years have been against Eastern Conference teams – Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Pittsburgh – So I’d love to see each team live (in San Jose) at least once a year. I also think it helps balance out the travel, even if it’s just a little bit.
However, there’s going to be some push back from teams in the Eastern Conf due to travel and complaints that the fans can’t watch games that start at 7:30 PST.
There are pros and cons with all of the options but as a SJ Sharks fan, I like the 4 division (opt D) format best, especially when it comes to the playoffs.
There are pros and cons with all of the options but as a SJ Sharks fan, I like the 4 division (opt D) format best, especially when it comes to the playoffs.
Same here. A balanced schedule in that format works wonderfully.
"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
ditto
My saying more would be redundant :)
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by Noctro on Dec 5, 2011 8:28 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Would love to see more Eastern Conf teams on the schedule
But for a different reason: It would force Eastern teams to travel out west more, thereby lowering their advantage of not having to travel as much as West teams. Yes, West teams will travel East more, but the sheer lack of travel currently required by East teams just needs to end.
As it was brought up by Randy during the Montreal game, after their game with the Sharks, Montreal only has 4 games left the entire season outside their own time zone. That’s insane.
I would also like to see Nashville and Winnepeg trade conferences.
Outside the Box idea: Instead of aligning the Conferences by East-West, align them by North-South. Pick a longitude line that divides the teams equally and go! It would even out the distribution of teams across the time zones more effectively and the Canadian teams would be thrilled to all play in the same conference (but the South teams would still get to play them all 2x a year).
Ah heck, I'll just spell it out
North Conf:
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton
Minnesota
Detroit
Toronto
Pittsburgh (or Philly)
New Jersey
NYR
NYI
Buffalo
Boston
Ottawa
Winnepeg
Montreal
South Conf:
San Jose
Anaheim
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Colorado
Dallas
St. Louis
Nashville
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Florida
Columbus
Washington
Chicago
Philly (Or Pittsburgh, as they are pretty close to parallel)
Outside the Box idea: Instead of aligning the Conferences by East-West, align them by North-South. Pick a longitude line that divides the teams equally and go! It would even out the distribution of teams across the time zones more effectively and the Canadian teams would be thrilled to all play in the same conference (but the South teams would still get to play them all 2x a year).
Distribution of time zones is one of the primary things at stake here. If the Sharks are starting half their Conference games on the East Coast, what is that going to do to TV ratings? Tank em’.
Furthermore, you run into issues with regional rivalries being forsaken and all other sorts of increased travel costs for teams.
I appreciate the brainstorming but it will never happen.
"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
NHL needs too...
reduce several of the East Coast teams or relocate them West. This whole East Coast Bais BS needs to be put to an end. The sports world in this country needs to wisen up and realize the growing economies are in the Sun Belt states and the West Coast. Move more teams into those areas and watch revenue and viewership raise! End of story, things will be better and one last thing, fuck the East Coast.
……
"The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
by Mr. Plank on Dec 5, 2011 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 7 recs
Note the username
GO SHARKS!
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by ElvisVF101 on Dec 5, 2011 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You assume I'm merely implying
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
You make an educated guess based on pre-conceived notions?
Right?
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Make conceiving boring?
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I reply to this thread?
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by Noctro on Dec 5, 2011 8:30 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
That's a great idea.
Move Toronto to Branson, MO!
Move the Rangers to Reno!
Hot damn, we have a genius on our hands!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 2:33 PM PST up reply actions
Move the Jets to Atlanta!
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
I have never understood why the NHL didn’t take a cue from the NBA regarding scheduling when they had 6 divisions. 30 teams in the same division format the NHL uses, and yet they found a way to have every team visit every season. Are division games really that important?
Anyway, Puck Daddy already covered the problems I have in the new four-division alignment: conference-wide playoff races are lost and the potential of teams in a strong division getting screwed out of a playoff spot. Does the playoff format really need to be tweaked along with the division alignment? At the very least, adopt what the CFL and MLS do and allow for a 5th place team to take up the 4 seed in the other division if the 5th place team has the better record.
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the first two rounds of the playoffs would be played within the division, meaning the top four teams in each division would make the postseason
I was never a fan of the old Divisional playoff format. While it was cool that the Oilers and the Flames had a thing going in the 80s, what the hell does the rest of the league care? Divisional Playoffs are great for the teams in them, but they do little, in my view, to broaden the appeal of the league in a meaningful way. The playoffs can sell themselves without manufactured storylines from forced matchups.
Add to that the implications of imbalanced divisions leading to divisional playoffs, and I see no appeal to the 4 division format.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Not only that, but the playoffs MAKE those storied matchups. A Sharks example is the Kings. They weren’t really considered a heated rivalry, merely another divisional opponent. Yet last year’s gritty and grinding playoff series has turned it into a rivalry that people now anticipate for the regular season games.
You can only be tied to tradition for so long before you’re only going through the motions without actually caring anymore deep in your heart.
Why are people tying the 4 divisions to having divisional playoff rounds?
They seem to be separate issues that are getting artificially tied. You could have 4 divisions for the regular season, more balance, and still have the same playoff structure we are using now (top 8 go through).
I'm not liking the four division format.
How is it fair to the Western teams to make it more difficult for them to make the playoffs with eight teams in the division while the Eastern teams only have seven?
Dallas wants out of the Pacific, and Minnesota wants out of the Northwest
And where in the East will you put Detroit, if not the horrifically fitting Southeast Division? The only way to solve the issue is a complete realignment.
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Meh
Columbus would sort of fit in the Southeast wouldn’t they? I guess I wouldn’t mind a complete realignment as long as each team has as much a chance as the other to make the playoffs.
that’s why you move Nashville to the southeast, move dallas to central, and colorado to the pacific.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
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by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
I think Nashville is in the Central time zone
Even though it’s East of Detroit. I know, it doesn’t make any sense.
I know
but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
the way the country and teams are laid out, it’s never gonna work perfectly unless a crap ton of teams pop up in the west to balance out the conferences.
if they DO go the 4 division route, then I don’t get why the western divisions will be the ones to have 8 teams…
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 3:41 PM PST up reply actions
What?
Nashville is faaaaaaaaar west of Detroit. It’s not even close.
Atlanta is further west than Detroit.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 6:14 PM PST up reply actions
West to East in order:
Vanc, SJ, LA, Ana, Calg, Edm, Phx, CO, Wpg, Dal, MN, StL, Chi, Nash, Det, Colum, TB, FL, Pit, Tor, Buf, Carol, Wash, Ott, Phi, NJ, NYR, NYI, Mont, Bos.
North to South in order:
Edm, Calg, Wpg, Vanc, Mont, Ott, MN, Tor, Buf, Bos, Det, Chi, NYR, NYI, Pit, NJ, Colum, Phi, CO, Wash, StL, SJ, Nash, Carol, LA, Ana, Phx, Dal, TB, FL.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
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Most logical 4 Conferences, by geography:
Vanc, Wpg, Calg, Edm, MN, Chi, Det = 7
SJ, LA, Ana, Phx, CO, Dal, StL, Nash = 8
Tor, Buf, Ott, Mont, Bos, NYI, NYR, NJ = 8
Colum, Pit, TB, FL, Carol, Wash, Phi = 7
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
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Those didn't happen.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
Sadly it didn't
but I’ve had a geographical chart going for several years now.
I think FL & TB got screwed.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
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I disagree.
Snowbirds will help their ticket sales to see the Leafs. In turn, more Snowbirds will buy season tickets and root for the home team.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe, but for travel time
But the teams that really got screwed by travel are Vanc, Edm, Calg, & Wpg.
It’s okay with me if Vanc gets screwed in any way, though.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Previously mentioned
as getting screwed in the realignment
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Well actually...
It might make road trips easier. Send em down to SoCal, then stop in Colorado and Phoenix. It works surprisingly well.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:45 PM PST up reply actions
Those aren't really logical..
Given that time zones are the bigger deciding geographical factor in this..
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
It ignores time zones
and are strictly geographical
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Not to mention TV
For local fans..
With Detroit and Vancouver three hours apart, one team’s fans would never catch the games at the other team’s arena. Not something you want intradivision playing a lot of games, but excusable when it’s just a home-and-home once a year.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 6:47 PM PST up reply actions
It'll be worse now
with the “balanced schedule”. More games will be played at distance than the way it is currently.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
I'd say ~175 miles is pretty far west..
If you drove that far due west from Detroit you’d end up in Lake Michigan.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
Do you know which way west is?
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Yes.
Atlanta is 84°23′24″W, Detroit is 83°02′45″W
That puts Atlanta further west than Detroit.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
Right.. but it’s not way west of Atlanta.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Oh, was that Nashville? Nevermind haha
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Ah, yeah.
I just added Atlanta in as a point of reference to show Nashville’s relative distance w/r/t Detroit.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
Yea, I would be in favor of the four division format if all the divisions were even.
Otherwise, the playoffs would end up screwing somebody. My suggestion is to have top 3 teams in each division qualify, and then have the next 4 teams with the highest point totals round out the playoffs. Then there’s at least the option that a 5th place team with more points will qualify over another division’s 4th place team. But it’s still not an ideal situation.
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thing is
if you have even divisions, say 32 teams and 4 8 team division, why not just go to the NFL format of 8 divisions with 4 teams?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
I was thinking something similar
Expand by 2 teams to make 32, then have 4 divisions of 4 teams in each Conference. Division Winners only move on to playoffs. That would make for more heated competition within Divisions to win that spot, as there are no wildcard teams in that setup. 8 teams win Divisions, 4 teams win Conference Semis, 2 teams win Conference finals, then move on to play for The Cup.
If one didn’t want a Winners-only playoffs, then take the top 2 from each Division to fight it out in a playoff round for the Division Champion spot. That would also give more teams better chances to make the playoffs, thus exposing more markets to bring in more fans (=more money).
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
I’d be cool with this, the winners only version. I really like the idea of winning the division being the only way into the playoffs. only problem would be is that over time certain divisions are bound to get stacked with talent while others get pretty weak resulting in good teams missing the playoffs in favor of weaker teams in weaker divisions.
I mean, imagine if the Pacific Division was Vancouver, San Jose, LA, and Anaheim. Likewise if a division with both Chicago and Detroit.
Plus, it would also result in there never being any inter-division playoff matches.
So, now that i think of it, it sounds cool in theory, but the consequences seem a bit high…
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
x
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
I prefer 6 with a balanced eastern schedule with Detroit staying in the West.
If we do go to 4 divisions I hope they revert back to the old names.
Why is Nashville not moving to the southwest
Just because Detroit is more popular doesn’t make sense to why they are getting the nod to go east. They really don’t have to travel that far to play their division opponents
Nashville is almost as far east as detroit and further than chicago and there is much less travel distance between them and the other SW divisions. There is one problem in that they aren’t in the eastern timezone
The talks of detroit moving to the east is causing this whole division mash up. Not saying it isnt a terrible idea to change things up. But i’m just curious why Detroit is getting the nod over the other more obvious choices of Nashville and Columbus
by slotownsharksfan on Dec 5, 2011 12:26 PM PST reply actions
Detroit has clout
Something Nashville and Columbus don’t have.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Detroit can suck a fuck.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
How exactly does one suck a fuck?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 2:34 PM PST up reply actions
You are such a fuck ass!
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 3:41 PM PST up reply actions
I love both of you
for making that reference!!!
I freaking love that movie!
Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012
I support a 4 division set up
as long as the current play-off berthing stays similar.
Maybe the top 2 teams of each make the 1-4 seeds in each conference and then the other 4 seeds are from the best records in each… or something like that.
I just hope that DET stays out west AND that everyone plays everyone else twice. I like to see everyone at home once a year. Its good for the game.
Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012
umm...
Can we just focus on DET not moving east?
Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012
I personally don't care that much
I just don’t want Eastern teams to have an unnecessary advantage. Right now every team in the league has a 53% chance of making the playoffs. Under this new proposition Western teams would have a 50% chance while Eastern teams would have a 57% chance.
I think people are harping on that a bit much
The strength of your division is going to play in much more heavily than how many teams are in it. Look at baseball.
considering the higher density of teams in the east coast, how come the eastern 2 divisions don’t have 8 teams each?
why not move both Detroit AND Columbus east, break them up into 2 8 team divisions, and leave 2 7 team divisions in the west?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 1:27 PM PST up reply actions
What do you do in 6 months when they finally throw in the towel on Phoenix?
Drag one of the two back after one season?
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
It’s stupid to assume that Phoenix will fold and move east and base the structure of the entire league around that.
if they do move east, then yes, move a team back.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 7:52 PM PST up reply actions
I'm a big fan of the one Bettman's putting forth.
I saw it on CBC on Saturday, and I’m quite fond of it. It puts the teams in 4 conferences (not divisions) with 8 teams in 2 conferences and 7 teams in the other two (though if you ask me, Bettman’s looking into a 32-team league), and playoff seeding works like this: Top 3 teams in each division advance and 4th and 5th seeds play a single wildcard game to advance to the playoffs. I love it. It encapsulates the excitement of that last week of play, but makes it a little more straight-forward. Another thing I love about it is how it forces the eastern teams to travel more, while the western teams travel less. It really balances it out. I believe there’s also a home-and-home series with every out-of-conference team, as well.
Now, I’m not 100% on what these conferences were going to look like, but I believe it was the following….
Pacific:
San Jose
Dallas
Anaheim
Los Angeles
Colorado
Phoenix
Vancouver
Central:
Winnipeg
Edmonton
Calgary
Chicago
Minnesota
Columbus
Nashville
St. Louis
Atlantic:
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
New York
New York
New Jersey
Carolina
Washington
Northeast:
Detroit
Florida
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Montreal
Ottawa
Buffalo
Boston
^ I like this. A lot. And for the sake of the Sharks, a developing rivalry with Failcouver would only be promoted here. The only flaw I see is Nashville and Detroit… I feel those two should be swapped, and I know that’s definitely one of the topics up for debate at this meeting thingy. It makes more sense for Nashville to play with Carolina and Washington than it does for them to play with Winnipeg and Edmonton. Columbus going to the Northeast wouldn’t be appalling, either.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
Oh, and playoffs are re-seeded after the wildcard round.
WHICH IS AWESOME.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 2:37 PM PST up reply actions
yeah but
why the hell are florida and tampa bay in the NORTH east?
you ask me they should swap them for pittsburgh and philly.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 3:44 PM PST up reply actions
Because the New York teams will complain it's too much travel.
Plus this way, the teams clustered around Ontario have to travel almost as much as the teams out west. Which is a good thing.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 3:46 PM PST up reply actions
What? The New York teams will complain about travel
but Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Detroit, and Boston won’t?
Vaoncouver, Calgary, and Edmonton are all going to have to travel to SoCal to play division games, why shouldn’t the New York teams?
Plus, retired Canadians living in Florida seems like a stupid reason have southern teams playing in the Northeast.
Why don’t we just rearrange the divisions with no concern with geography and base it entirely upon the location of non-local fans.
Hell, put the Sharks and the Sabres in the same division because I live in Buffalo now!
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 4:28 PM PST up reply actions
, Calgary, and Edmonton are all going to have to travel to SoCal to play division games
Calgary and Edmonton won’t be in that division, IIRC.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
ok
but the proposed change by the NHL has CAL and EDM in the “pacific conference” or whatever the hell they’re gonna call it.
but then yours has the problem of still having dallas in the same division, they want into the central.
and there’s still the issue of the NE teams traveling to florida.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
Think of it this way.
How is it fair that Los Angeles has to travel to Vancouver when Montreal travels a maximum of 8 hours on the road? The west has always been arguing that the east has it easy when it comes to travel, and this helps alleviate some of their concerns.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, but the West has a tough travel schedule out of necessity. The east has an easier travel schedule simply because all those cities and teams are located close to each other.
It doesn’t make sense to stick Florida in the NE just because that’s the way it has to be out west.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 5:13 PM PST up reply actions
So... It doesn't make sense to level the playing field...?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:17 PM PST up reply actions
You keep using that word
I don’t think it means what you think it means
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
by ElvisVF101 on Dec 5, 2011 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
no u
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:30 PM PST up reply actions
how would that be leveling the playing field?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 5:44 PM PST up reply actions
Are you serious?
Less travel time means more time with family and R&R. The east has waaaaay less travel time than the west. Even it out a bit.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:48 PM PST up reply actions
I understand the concept of travel time, I fail to see how dislocating 2 florida teams into the NE division “levels the playing field.”
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 6:13 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, and also for the sake of the Snowbirds in Florida.
That was the other argument. Tons of Canadians retire down there, so the argument is that if you get Toronto and Montreal coming to Florida often, sales will go up.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 3:53 PM PST up reply actions
Plenty of Snowbirds in Phoenix
Just sayin’
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Yeah, but how often does Toronto play in Phoenix?
I’m sure Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver have their fans, but nothing like Toronto and Montreal. Hell, half of Canada’s population lives in and around those two cities. You can easily put Florida and Tampa in the Toronto division, but stuffing Phoenix in there is a stretch, especially when the team may well be moved this year.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 4:00 PM PST up reply actions
No thanks to the playoff format. Top team in each division guarenteed a spot, the rest falls to their conference standings, just like how it currently functions. I see absolutely zero reason why that system would fail in a 2 division system when it is simply just 1 less team with a guaranteed 3rd seed.
We'll have to disagree then.
I think the 4th/5th wildcard does well to compensate for two conferences having one more team than the other two.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
You know, I can't wait 'til the playoffs.
The playoffs are the most exciting part of the year, really.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 2:53 PM PST up reply actions
I don't know
I don’t like the feeling of seeing an Eastern Conference team play the Sharks as opposed to seeing a Western Conference team. The Tank just feels dead when an a team from the East comes.
"You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain Kent Huskins!" - Randy Hahn 2/13/11
I'm on the tweets
What would really juice the playoffs..
Have teams pick their opponents. High seeds choose who they play. In a 4 division system the top seed could pick the #4 seed or maybe they like their chances with #3 or even #2. Would create tons of intrigue and second guessing. Teams picked would claim the opponent doesn’t respect them or non-picked teams could say those guys fear us. Bottom line the reseeding seems better than nothing, but for a true bonus for performance give teams the chance to miss that bottom seed that just got all its players healthy or to pick on a team that has run out of gas. And if they pick someone and then lose to them, they should feel the wrath and shame. Isn’t that the stuff that makes modern sports great?
by Fakers Stink on Dec 5, 2011 3:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Isn’t that the stuff that makes modern sports great?
No
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
by ElvisVF101 on Dec 5, 2011 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, that's smart.
Have them choose the #5 seed they went 6-0-0 against instead of the #8 seed they went 3-2-1 with. >_>;
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 3:55 PM PST up reply actions
That would kill a lot of the intrigue of the playoff race.
Remember last year how the Canucks locked up the first seed early and then Chicago just squeaked into the playoffs. That shit was like fate. (I still can’t believe when Toews tied it up in game 7, shit was insane)
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 4:31 PM PST up reply actions
I want neither of those options.
I don’t see the point of having divisions. Just have two conferences: East and West. Each team plays each other twice(one home, one away) and then remaining games are played within conference in an 82 game season. Top 8 teams in each conference make playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Boston
Buffalo
Carolina
Columbus
Florida
Montreal
New Jersey
New York
New York
Ottawa
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Washington
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Anaheim
Calgary
Chicago
Colorado
Dallas
Detroit
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Minnesota
Nashville
Phoenix
San Jose
St. Louis
Vancouver
Winnipeg
I'd swap Nashville and Columbus though.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
oh and all-star game is played in different cities each year and the setup is east vs. west. The all-star players are picked by the coaches and GMs so that stupid/biased fans dont pick undeserving players. And also while i’m at it, I just wanted to add that i wish that those Reebok logos on the back of the jerseys should be moved to the bottom side on the back of the jerseys and be changed back to the reebok logo instead of wording.
Is this GM Conference going to solve the matter now?
or are they only going to discuss the possibilities to resolve later?
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
If 2/3rds of the vote are in favour of a proposition, it's solved right then.
If something doesn’t pass, they might have to hammer away and discuss it over the summer.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
It looks like something got approved...
@dantencer: Believe the realignment passed by BOG was a vote of 26-4. Gary Bettman has met with the NHLPA. Announcement coming soon.
We're getting details soon
@DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Decision has been made on realignment by NHL Board of Governors. Will have full details of changes very soon.
5 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
@dantencer Dan Tencer
Believe the realignment passed by BOG was a vote of 26-4. Gary Bettman has met with the NHLPA. Announcement coming soon.
3 minutes ago via web
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
Looks like four divisions was agreed on
@garylawless gary lawless
Nhl has passed four conference realignment with all teams to play one another in home-at-home #winnipegjets
1 minute ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
Looks like it.
Where the teams go is the $64,000 question.
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
Will you give me $64000 if I guess it right?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
But you're a mod!
Surely you make millions!
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:06 PM PST up reply actions
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES
AWESOME.
Please tell me Detroit didn’t get its way? :>
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:02 PM PST up reply actions
Four divisions and four conferences
Are pretty different.
I’d be okay with four div, two conf; but the logistics behind four conf just sounds like a horrible, ugly mess.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
I'll be curious to see who the dissenters were.
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
Toronto, guarantee it.
Toronto votes down everything good.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:03 PM PST up reply actions
Is there anyone from Carolina we want?
Apparently they’re cleaning house very soon, selling off veterans. Maybe some competition for Boyle?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
Not Kaberle though, I dont want Kaberle.
Pitkanen?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:07 PM PST up reply actions
Who would we clear for Pitkanen?
The way Boyle is playing I would say him but there is always a chance that he is just going through a funk and his terrible first quarter of the season isn’t indicative of how he will perform the rest of the season.
I would love Jussi Jokinen
But at 3 mil a year for the next three I don’t see why they wouldn’t keep him.
They can't sell people off yet...
They’re barely $2mil above the cap floor, if they’re trading people now, they’ll have to be taking teams unwanted (soon to be UFA) contracts along with picks / prospects.
There’s 1 player on the Canes I’d be interested in, Ruutu, and the Sharks can’t afford to take on his salary right now unless the Canes are willing to take Mitchell and Niitty, I can’t see them wanting those guys even if the Sharks include the Minn. 2nd rounder.
Confirmed:
One conference is:
Florida
Tampa
Toronto
Ottawa
Montreal
Boston
Buffalo
Source: Randy Moller.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
Ours would be
Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
Sharks' division is as expected
@PollakOnSharks David Pollak
#SJSharks, Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim in same division. About to hear from Bettman.
5 minutes ago via web
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
MORE SHARKS GAMES ON TV FOR ME!
AND FLORIDA GAMES, FOR THAT MATTER!
WIN. WIN. WIN.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:35 PM PST up reply actions
I finally will get to consistently exercise my knowledge of "O Canada"
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
Oh Canada
Our home and native land
True patriot love
In all thy suns command
With glowing hearts
We seeeeee thee rise
The true north strong and free
Free far and wide, Oh Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land.
Glorious and free.
Oh, Canada,
We stand on guard for theeeeee
Oh, Canada,
We stand on guaaaaaard foooooor theeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:40 PM PST up reply actions
I prefer to think Canada commands the suns.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
Also, I don't think I've ever actually READ the song.
Just sang it every day in elementary school.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:53 PM PST up reply actions
That's what I seen on TV.
And TSN confirms those are official.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=382065
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
I'd do Florida/Tampa in the Dallas division instead
and Detroit and one of Minnesota/Winnipeg/Columbus in the Montreal/Ottawa division. No?
Go Sharks!
No.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
Anyone else think that calling the 4 groupings "Conferences"
is going to sink like a stone?
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
by Kazoonole on Dec 5, 2011 6:44 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Name them better things.
- Greztky
- Lemeuix
- Roy
- Stanchion
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:46 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Just rename it the NSL.
National Sheppard League.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
BHL
Bettman’s Hockey League
tic
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Are we adding two more trophies that teams won't touch
or retiring the two that exist now? Because it sounds like the “Final Four” are going to be re-seeded by points rather than a yearly Central/Pacific matchup.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
I kinda love the idea that we could play someone like the Flyers or Rangers in the Semi Finals.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:48 PM PST up reply actions
Not a fan of this at all
TSNBobMcKenzie
Four conference winners are seeded on total points, 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3, so an all-East or all-West final is possible.
by Copenhagen on Dec 5, 2011 6:46 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
NBC loves the idea of a Bruins-Rangers final.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:49 PM PST up reply actions
You mean Bruins-Penguins
I don’t see the Rangers getting all that much coverage with the exception of this year’s Winter Classic.
Good point because of Crosby. I just always figure NYC team = media coverage.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
Considering how the West is the Best, they won’t get their wish. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Oh, so this happens after each conference has had its playoff?
I’m fine with that.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:49 PM PST up reply actions
I... Really like that.
Reminds me of how OFSAA works. Each region of Ontario sends its best athletes to an Ontario tournament. I like it, a lot.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:51 PM PST up reply actions
I like the idea that the Sharks potentially won’t have to focus on killing themselves to take down Detroit, leaving them vulnerable to other teams due to exhaustion/injury.
We could make it to the SCF without facing them or face them in SCF.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
Edmonton, Colorado & LA are all very, very young and on an “up” swing, they are all be getting better.
Vancouver is already really good, so I agree…it’s a tough ‘conference’.
They have a lot of young talent, once they start winning (again) they’ll start spending the money. If they fire Sacco, it won’t be too long before they’re really good.
They are going to have to spend a lot I suppose starting next season
Most of their team at the end of the season are UFA’s and RFA’s.
If the playoffs were to start now...
The Sharks would be in their conference playoff with LA, Phoenix and Edmonton/Vancouver.
If the Sharks cant get to the cup final against these teams, there’s a problem.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
If our game is on...we beat every team on that list.
Go Sharks!
by Dmitriy on Dec 5, 2011 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
NOOOOOO!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
What the hell!?!?!
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Here's a comment I like from TSN:
I’d have thought reaction would be better to this. We now get every team in every building at least once. We get a return to real, strong, regional rivalries that will grow with repeated playoff encounters in the first round. Playing a team 6 or 8 times in the regular season breeds familiarity. Playing a team regularly in the playoffs breeds genuine dislike.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
The players
could still veto it.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
by Soloact on Dec 5, 2011 7:06 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
My initial thoughts on realignment
This seems to be the best possible method barring playoff seeding, but I’ll get to that in a moment. The time zone issue has been resolved, with none of that “Dallas is in the Pacific Division despite being closer to the Atlantic Ocean” sort of thing. I mean, West teams still have worse travel, but it looks to be about as fair as can be barring non-geographic divisions that make every team log crazy mileage.
One of the biggest downsides is the lack of the Dallas Stars as a division rival. When you think of the Sharks’ rivalries, no matter who they have played in the playoffs recently, two names rise to the top: the Anaheim Ducks and the Dallas Stars. Now we’ll only play the Stars twice a year, and that just seems far too little.
But with the addition of the Vancouver Canucks as a division rival… Whew. The teams already hate each other, and that’s after just one playoff meeting. Imagine meeting again and again and again in divisional playoffs. It’s going to be a bloodbath. And I’m just referring to the comments on FTF and NM.
However, I have divisional playoffs. They suck. Especially when only the top four teams get in, which penalizes strong divisions and benefits weaker ones. It also means that you play the same team in the playoffs over and over again, which can be a little (or a lot) repetitive.
Personally, I’d much rather see the top two teams of each division automatically making the playoffs, with the other 8 spots filled by the best teams regardless of division. Each of those top division teams is paired up with an at large team, and each round will be re-seeded. It will potentially get rid of a lot of playoff-born rivalries, but it also won’t punish teams in good divisions, which is all I care about.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
The divisional playoffs make me uneasy
The last time it was done was 1993 with 24 teams, 3 of which were 2 years or younger (San Jose, Tampa, Ottawa), which meant that realistically, 21 teams were fighting for 16 spots during the entirety of that time period. Good teams don’t miss the playoffs in that setup. A 5th place team out of 8 could easily be better than 5 or 6 teams in another division and be screwed.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
Personally I hate this shit
I don’t like 8 teams in two of the conferences and 7 in the other two. It’s weird. I liked the 5 team divisions, just keep the same number of teams in each division.
In the seven-team conferences, teams would play six times — three home, three away. In the eight-team Conferences, teams would play either five or six times in a season on a rotating basis; three teams would play each other six times and four teams would play each other five times. This process would reverse each season: An eight-team Conference member that plays an opponent six times in one season would play it five times the following season.
How am I going to remember that? The scheduling doesn’t seem like it’ll be balanced and fair.
You forget that expansion to 32 teams is probable this decade.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Does
Portland have an NHL ready stadium?
and I’m moving to KC next year, so its wishful thinking that I’ll be able to see a Sharks game there.
Paul Allen owns the Rose Garden and the Blazers
and all indications are that he doesn’t want an NHL team, either owned by him or as a co-tenant.
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
the Sprint Center
has a bigger capacity, according to wikipedia, by about a thousand. So, it’s possible to sell more tickets. And, it’s newer than the Rose Garden by 12 years.
Add in that there have been a few exhibition games in Kansas City to test the waters, the NHL probably would be open to Kansas City before Portland. Then again, if the testing the waters experiments completely failed (I’m not sure what the expected results were, compared to the actual results) they could’ve already closed off the possibility.
Atlanta > Canada
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
x
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not trolling
I’m telling the truth.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Maybe in terms of crime rates...
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:22 PM PST up reply actions
haha probably
It’s pretty bad on my campus even.
Frankly, I’m not a big fan of the city of Atlanta. But it still needs to have hockey…
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
I'd say Markham, ON and Seattle, more likely.
Quebec doesn’t have an arena built yet (neither does Markham, but a second Toronto team is far from unreasonable at this point), and KC is unlikely, since Atlanta blew up in the NHL’s face.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:20 PM PST up reply actions
Isn't Seattle a big city though?
Plus I thought the Supersonics arena would be a viable NHL place.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
They just got a soccer team, and apparently the fans there are ridiculously enthusiastic.
I’m sure a hockey team would do well there… but I’m not sure expansion is the right move for the league right now. Especially not when there are many teams in financial trouble.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Seats 11,000 for hockey....so no.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
So it’s like Winnipeg… so yes?
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is 15 000+
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
I thought that some of the Seattle people say Fuck Vancouver and
I’ve even met a few over there who root for the Sharks
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:28 PM PST up reply actions
Not according to the guy I was sitting next to at the Sharks game recently. He said they don’t really follow the Canucks.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
I'd contraction is more likely.
And that’s looking pretty improbable right now.
"I vish there was a vord to describe the pleasure I feel when viewing misfortune" - Deutschbag #1 from Community
Free Demers!
I dunno if the NHL can support two more teams. The only sport with more than 30 teams (32) is the NFL and they basically print their own money. The NBA and MLB both seem to have a higher profit margin than the NHL and they only have 30 teams.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
- when I say “only sport” I mean in North America, obviously. Soccer/Football in Europe/South America are obviously different
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions
Soccer isn't a sport.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting, I didn’t know that there was a strict limit. I was mostly referring to the promotion/relegation system which is very different than North American leagues.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
I thought the Premier League had 20. Or am I remember it wrong?
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
Ah, you're right
FIFA only proposed an 18-team limit but Premiere League opposition shut that down tout suite.
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
hmm... I'm thinking Wisconsin... maybe Seattle...
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions
yeah I was thinking Milwaukee. not so much Green bay
Wisconsin breeds enough good hockey players, I can see them taking to an NHL team really well
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:20 PM PST up reply actions
I really dont like that only the top 4 teams will get in the P/Os each conference
it’s like we’ll have a 50% chance of getting in, whereas a 7-team conference will have a 57% chance of getting in. I know that’s NOT really the “right” way of looking at it, but if we have to battle against one extra team to get in the playoffs, isn’t that unfair?
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
They haven’t decided on a playoff format yet. I’m hoping it’s not a strict top-4 advance system.
"I vish there was a vord to describe the pleasure I feel when viewing misfortune" - Deutschbag #1 from Community
Free Demers!
The method I like is...
Having the 4th and 5th seeds play a wildcard tiebreaker. So. 20 teams qualify for the playoffs, only 16 advance.
Evens it out a bit.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
It's not a fifth round.
It’s a single tiebreaker game, thingy.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
Baseball sucks, not the playoff format.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:27 PM PST up reply actions
My thoughts on the proposed realignment:
It sucks
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
by Bockerz on Dec 5, 2011 7:20 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
It's awesome, and you're wrong! :D
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
Actually, it’s just the possible “re-seeding top 4 teams in each conference for playoffs” bullshit.
I like the East vs West final. Even with the balanced schedule, it just makes things more exciting. And I’m no good with hockey history, but I’m under the impression that it’s been East vs West for quite some time… why the hell would you change that?
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
by Bockerz on Dec 5, 2011 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You are everything that is wrong with everything.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
by PNK on Dec 5, 2011 7:57 PM PST up reply actions
x
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 8:02 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
but only because it’s four conferences instead of four divisions. The playoffs are going to be silly.
Also, pairing the Florida teams with the Northeast teams really makes no sense at all.
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
Hopefully the GMs nix this possible East/East West/West finals BS
TSNBobMcKenzie
From @DarrenDreger: 1. Re-alignment requires NHLPA approval. 2. Playoff format for 3rd rd and beyond still not finalized. GMs to determine.
That’s honestly the one thing that pisses me off.
Don’t mess with the East vs West final…
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
The two best teams should advance.
No more 4-0 cup finals, plz/thx.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
When was the last 4-0 Cup finals though?
I understand that this method (potentially) allows the two “best” teams to advance… but I’m just not a fan of it. I guess they’ll have to provide some examples and schnazzy charts before I warm to it.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Well shoot… 1995-1998 (4 Finals.. whhaaaa?!)
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Didn't Carolina play a 4-and-out in the 00's?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
Nope
There have been two 5 game series’ (Carolina/Wings and Ducks/Sens(lol) ).
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Finally!
Vancouver is going to be frequently playing against some consistently good teams* with more frequency. What, with Edmonton actually playing like an NHL team, the LA Kings, Colorado’s projected improvement, and, of course, our perennial awesomeness.
While they are a skilled team, this’ll deflate their regular season points a bit, and make their players get banged up a bit harder with the wear and tear most teams experience.
*Ducks, despite making playoffs 5 times since the lockout, are intentionally left off. The Ducks suck.
Hah
frequently… with more frequency.
Attention to detail is my greatest asset is attention to detail.
Ahh, you must be from the department of redundancy department.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
lol
wyshynski Greg Wyshynski
Oh, I don’t know, NBC seems to get a Sid/Ovie semi every week. #BonerHumor RT @RobRossi_Trib no chance for Crosby-Ovechkin semi
I think they just wanted to keep the Pitt-Philly and Pitt-Caps rivalries
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:42 PM PST up reply actions
Not splitting up the NJ/NY teams was probably a factor too..
It does look really silly though
by Old Kentucky Shark on Dec 5, 2011 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
That makes no sense.
Are the owners that kiss-up to Bettman?
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
Makes perfect sense.
The old Patrick division was Pittsburgh/Philly, the New York 3 and Washington. Bring Washington back from the Southeast and you have one open slot. Carolina.
3 of the Northeast teams have been together for forty years (Montreal, Buffalo, Boston) and Toronto and Ottawa have slid in over the last 20 years replacing Quebec and Hartford in the old Adams. That leaves two teams. Florida and Tampa Bay. Without Atlanta, there’s no geographical center for them to cling to in the southeast, and they benefit from the Canadian snowbirds.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
Without this sort of thing
The “Eastern 10” in the Atlantic and Northeast veto anything involving everyone playing at least twice, and they only need one other to stop any realignment.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
The vote was 26-4 in favor of the new alignment
At least half this supposed bloc capitulated to this plan, if not more.
Fear The Fin Mod Squad's Mike Rathje
My Twitter
basically it sucks to be in an 8-team conference and it sucks to be in Conf C.
I have a “feeling” that the teams in Conf D were heavily favored …
by JenLovesHockey on Dec 5, 2011 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
We can now have Sharks vs Wings in Finals
I hope Doug can focus now on fixing this teams PK units
Go Big or Go Home
by ChangoT on Dec 5, 2011 7:52 PM PST via mobile reply actions
With the exception of Phoenix, I hate every team in the Sharks' conference.
Good for rivalries, bad for my blood pressure. Also, watching other games around the league won’t matter as much. A Detroit-Nashville game has no bearing on the Sharks anymore. It won’t affect seeding like it does now.
This is like the equivalent of high school cliques. Everybody will be doing their own thing until the 3rd round of the playoffs. (With the exception of 2 games against them in the regular season)
Sounds like no "name" conferences.
wyshynski Greg Wyshynski
The Wings’ @RooseBill says he hears it’ll be the Pacific, Central, Northeast, and Atlantic conferences. Realignment just got less radical.
Although it is going to be funny seeing the Lightning and the Panthers play in the “Northeast” division
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 8:04 PM PST up reply actions
I blame Atlanta. And Winnipeg.
they can suck a fuck.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
God, for all the bravado Americans claim to have...
You guys sure do bitch a lot.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 8:14 PM PST up reply actions
It is really a national trait. For example, our litigious nature.
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 8:15 PM PST up reply actions
Ahh, the "I slipped in front of Fry's, I want 10 million dollars" thing.
A woman up here tried suing Sobey’s for that. She won, but the company countersued for more than her award… And won.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 8:18 PM PST up reply actions
God, for all the friendliness Canadians claim to have...
You.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
by Bockerz on Dec 5, 2011 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Canadians are friendly.
Unless they have a reason to not be.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 8:28 PM PST up reply actions
Yay for you. Not so much for us.
Are you happy with the trade off of Vancouver for Chicago and Detroit?
by WhatsAMataHari on Dec 5, 2011 8:12 PM PST up reply actions
Yes
Simply because, I no longer have to stay up until midnight to watch a boring trap team like Vancouver
"Believe in the system. For it shall bring light when there is dark, food when there is hunger, and shots when there are passes. This is the divine process." Yeo 4:18
I hope the playoffs do get re-seeded after Rd. 1
It would suck for only one team in each conference to advance after 2 rounds, especially if one conference is significantly stronger than another.
Let’s say SJ and Van are head and shoulders the 2 best teams in the NHL, if the playoffs don’t get re-seeded, one of them is guaranteed to be out after the 2nd round.
*raises roof*
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw
by Evil Stanchion on Dec 5, 2011 8:28 PM PST up reply actions
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