NHL Board of Governors Approve Four-Conference Realignment
Starting next season, the NHL will introduce four new conferences, a new scheduling format, and a new playoff format. Here's another NHL link on the realignment news. Teams in a 7-team conference will play their rivals 6 times a year (teams in a 8-team will alternate between 5 and 6 games) and all teams out of conference will play a home and home. The new (well old) playoff format will see conference games 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 in the first round and the winners face in the second round. The four conference winners will reseed and battle it out Final Four Style for Lord Stanley.
6 months ago
Matthew Ventolo
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Per Puck Daddy – the new schedule will include home/home for each team. More travel and fans will get to see every team.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Well, unevenness is now the norm. Between this and the CBA calling cap hits based on average salary with no limit on term, I’m convinced the NHL Board of Governors struggles with math. But, it is what it is. At least a home-and-home with all 29 opponents is a plus.
As cosmetic as it may seem, I’m only going to be rather peeved if these four conferences are named Patrick, Adams, Norris, and Smythe. Those guys already got awards named after them; they don’t need more recognition. Plus, it ignores all of the great strides the league as made since the “original six.”
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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I do have to say, I don’t like the unevenness that this creates. I like the total of 6- five team divisions that are names according to location. But hey, my input doesn’t go anywhere.
As cosmetic as it may seem, I’m only going to be rather peeved if these four conferences are named Patrick, Adams, Norris, and Smythe. Those guys already got awards named after them; they don’t need more recognition. Plus, it ignores all of the great strides the league as made since the "original six."
If they do that, I guarantee that they’ll get rid of the trapezoid, and the majority of the teams will rely on the neutral zone trap. Defense will rule yet again.
Regarding a post I read somewhere here early, about Kovy’s decision to get out of Atlanta that led to Winnipeg, does this mean that Kovy is the reason that we have realignment, or did he just hasten it?
That would be cool.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve had enough of Wayne Gretzky, thank you very much. I know the League loves to kiss his rings and his (backside), but I don’t. Somehow, I don’t think my opinion matters.
I actually approve of bringing back the old names, even if John doesn’t. The NHL has always taken time to respect their history and their builders, even if most people have no clue who most of the names are. I’d very much enjoy it if the NHL went back to the old names, along with a campaign to educate the newer fans about just who all these people are.
What’s wrong with the greatest skater to ever play?
And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?
I never thought he was the best player of his era — I had a preference for Mario Lemieux myself.
That aside, the NHL seems to bend over backwards at times for Wayne Gretzky, the same way the NFL and its media does the same for Brett Favre. At least, that’s the way I see it…. and I don’t particularly like Gretzky. This doesn’t even have anything to do with the “Mickey Mouse” comments — I just don’t like the guy.
I never thought he was the best player of his era — I had a preference for Mario Lemieux myself.
Me too
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
nay !
Nik Zherdev, Wendell Clark, David Babych and Pete Laframboise conferences.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Tie Domi, Tiger Williams, Donald Brashear, and another pitiful-and-unlikable enforcer to be named later!
another pitiful-and-unlikable enforcer to be named later!
This one seems awesome
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t get my memory to recall a name right now. I do know there were guys that were more detested than Tie Domi…. because even Domi was beloved by other players in the League when he sucker-punched certain people.
Beukeboom lol
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
ULF samuellson (or whatever
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
How about two named after forwards, a goaltender, and a defenseman?
The goaltender would have to be Marty of course. and Stevens as the defenseman.
Our conference will probably be named Gary Bettman
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
From this day forth:
Our conference shall be named the Tim Sestito ENERGY Conference.
Fan of: New Jersey Devils, Tennessee Titans, New Jersey Nets, New York Mets, and the U
by NJD28 on Dec 6, 2011 12:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agree with the unevenness. But Phoenix could very well move east. They might already be taking that into consideration.
My sources tell me that Bettman proposed that all four conferences be called “Crosby”, but the BoG explained that it might get a little confusing.
Bettman then proposed his second option, that the four conferences be called (in no particular order): We Love Sidney and Crosby. Oddly, the vote was 29 to 1 with the lone dissenter being the Flyers.
Per the Devils Generals – Washington and Carolina look to be the new division/conference rivals for the Devils. Washington was an old rival back in the day – and we all feel the same way about Carolina
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Oh joy. How fun.
I don’t mind the playing with Washington, I kind of look forward to that.
Meh to Carolina. :p
Carolina has eliminated us from the playoffs a few times
Im pretty sure there is hate there
Mets, Jets, Devils, United Football League
Per Elliotte Friedman from HNIC: This and that
The conferences or divisions or whatever:
Van, Cal, Edm, LA, SJ, Ana, Col, Phoe.
Win, Det, Chi, STL, Nas, CLB, Dal, Min
Tor, Mon, Ott, Bos, Buf, Fla, TB.
Pit, Phi, NYR, NYI, NJ, Car, Wash
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Blockquote fail
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by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
Posted this down below, but its also relevant here…
This is a visual breakdown of the conferences with pretty team logos:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=75862
It’s all about the visual aids
by MattiasTedenbyFlyingCircus on Dec 6, 2011 2:58 AM EST up reply actions
Not sure I’m a huge fan of this. Just seems too uneven for teams in two conferences to have a 50% shot at the playoffs and the teams in the other two to have a 57% chance. I’d be very unhappy if I were in one of the 8-teamers.
This whole format just seems like the opposite of progress to me. Unless the NHL plans on expanding by two teams (which, given the financial sate of many teams at the moment, seems like a ridiculous notion), it’s just messing up the balance of things.
Status quo.
50% vs. 57% isn’t that big a deal to me. The past several years, it’s been something akin to a 53.3% chance (8 out of 15)…. and the last time we had divisional qualifying to the playoffs, it was 80% unless you were in the Patrick Division (67%).
So long as the NHL appropriately weights the schedule so the lion’s share of your games is within the division, it isn’t a very big deal.
Yes but my point is that you’re going from a system which, though certainly not perfect, theoretically gave everyone the same 53.3% shot at the playoffs. A shift from equal odds to unequal odds just doesn’t make sense for me unless you add a team and you basically have no choice. MLB finally just corrected that error in their league and that had a much smaller odds margin (25% NL to 28.5% AL). Maybe the old odds differences were worse, but that’s almost the point I’m trying to make: why would you try to trend backwards towards those uneven splits?
Also, teams already have 22 or 23 home-and-home series to play outside of their conference. So, at a minimum, a majority of your games are played out of conference.
Status quo.
Except systems like the four major North American sports leagues having now aren’t perfect and don’t give everyone an “equal” shot at the playoffs:
If there’s a balanced schedule but divisions still exist and division winners receive an advantage, you can benefit from a weak division by receiving a higher seeding and more home court games than you would otherwise be entitled to. (NBA)
If there’s a limited number of “wild cards”, you can miss the playoffs by being a good team in a great division and make them by being a mediocre team in a lousy division. (MLB)
If there’s an uneven schedule but some sort of “wild card” path to the playoffs, the schedule can determine who makes it or who doesn’t. (MLB / NFL / NHL)
….
The new system isn’t perfect. However, if you’re playing (roughly) half your games against your own division and you’re only competing against your own division for playoff spots, I’m okay with it. Each division gets the same number of playoff teams, and you can make the playoffs largely by taking care of your own business. There’s also no longer going to be the issue of uneven schedules among playoff contenders — with 18 games against the other conference right now, there’s a difference in travel schedules and who you play twice and who you don’t see at your home arena in any given year. That won’t exist in the new system.
Yeah, thinking about the schedule balancing makes it a little more palatable, but for some reason I’m just not all that sold on it. You can still benefit from being in a crappy conference in this format. If you have one conference that’s pretty much stacked, you could have a team with 10 more points than a team in a crap conference staying home. Yeah within the conference, it is fairer, but in the league overall, I think it may be worse.
Status quo.
If you have one conference that’s pretty much stacked, you could have a team with 10 more points than a team in a crap conference staying home.
It’s happened before, in much larger numbers than 10 points (think 30), and the world hasn’t come to a spontaneous end. It’s certainly a risk one takes…. but the NFL and MLB both have similar situations with their lack of wild cards and they seem to toddle along just fine.
I still say it’s a case of “take care of your own business within your own division” and don’t worry about a crummy team from another Conference making the playoffs while you or another good team from your own stays home. More than that, if a really crummy team sneaks in for that reason, they’re likely to be bounced very, very quickly once they get there.
This whole format just seems like the opposite of progress to me. Unless the NHL plans on expanding by two teams (which, given the financial sate of many teams at the moment, seems like a ridiculous notion), it’s just messing up the balance of things.
agreed
It could set up for 2 expansion teams down the road. And an end to the relocation talk hopefully.
If not, I like our playoff chances!
na-na-na-na HEY! You SUCK!!
Finshing top four out of 7 teams doesn’t seem so badly, especially when the islanders and canes are in the division.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies
It doesn’t seem likely we will expand. Teams are having financial trouble as it is, and it just doesn’t seem plausible.
I say cut phoenix and columbus. That way it’s four divisions of seven teams and it lessens the chance of a sestito or boulton seeing ice time on an nhl roster…
by Marty 4 Prez on Dec 5, 2011 10:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
NHL Network reported the Devils (and all teams in a 7-team conference) will play rivals 6 times a year and every other team twice (home and home). Total of 36 division games and 46 out of conference games.
So the Devils get extra games against the Caps and Canes, lose games against Montreal, Toronto, Florida, Boston, Buffalo Tampa Bay, and Ottawa and get additional games against the West.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Scheduling should be interesting.
For the seven team conferences it is easy. home and home with 23 teams, and within the conference three home and three away.
For the eight team conferences. 22 home and home which equals 44 games. 82 game schedule leaves it with 38 games left to play. Divide that by 2 for you own home and away you get 19. Who gets the extra home game each year, how is that fair at all? Especially if it is within your own division. Stupid!
I was a fan of the East vs West, but this will be interesting to see. I like playing Washington, but adding Carolina in will be good. That is a team I hate.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies
There have been periods in recent years where teams played an odd number of games against teams in their own division (often seven). We’re not breaking new ground, here…. the NHL even had secondary tie-breaker rules in the case it became necessary for playoff purposes.
There have been periods in recent years where teams played an odd number of games against teams in their own division (often seven)
I did not know that. I thought it was usually eight.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies
Also NHL Network is reporting that the first two rounds of the playoffs will be conference games. 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 in first round. Second round see the winners face. After the first two rounds, reseeding happens and 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs 3 again. That means a team like the Devils or Caps can face Montreal or Boston for the Stanley Cup.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Devils vs Montreal for the cup would be a great way to end Marty’s career. Won’t happen but would love it.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies
And is wearing a Devils uniform.
by MattiasTedenbyFlyingCircus on Dec 6, 2011 3:01 AM EST up reply actions
if theres ever a day...
…that i have to watch the flyers play the rangers for the cup, Im calling it quits
other than that, interesting!
by OnessMaximus on Dec 5, 2011 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
This can’t happen under the format they’ve described. Flyers-Rangers is either a first-round or second-round matchup, because only one team can “come out of the division” to make the Semifinals.
yeah…i guess in my panic of the world coming to an end (scenario above) i overlooked previously stated facts about the new format
my bad!
by OnessMaximus on Dec 5, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
By chance, is there any news on things like the shootouts, or are we just focusing on the playoff format right now. I would love for some new implementations of things like a continued four on four OT, and the taking away of the hated trapezoid.
I only ask because since they seem set on drastically changing how things operate, they might continue with that notion.
This is bad:
The Devils now perpetually have to compete against Pittsburgh, Washington and Philadelphia, teams that look to make the playoffs every season, + NYR who should be competitive, as well as NYI who will only get better with time. I don’t like this at all.
This not bad, this is pretty bad.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Think about all those years Pens, Caps, and Rangers were terrible. Just because they are good right now, doesn’t mean they will be good forever.
na-na-na-na HEY! You SUCK!!
by mogilny89 on Dec 5, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin and Backstrom beg to differ. Those teams have some players that insure strong play for years to come.
Positivism freed your mind
I like that point of view, gonna rec’d your stuff
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
Under the spotlight !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Heard the original plan had Pitts in the Blue group and both Florida teams were Green, however, both Philly and Pitts said no to it. I think Puck Daddy had it.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies
I think Tampa and Florida got the short end of the stick here. They aren’t even close to their new conference rivals.
Fan of: New Jersey Devils, Tennessee Titans, New Jersey Nets, New York Mets, and the U
by NJD28 on Dec 6, 2011 12:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Perhaps not too badly. Their travel is probably increased, true, but they gain the benefit of playing against three original 6 teams who tend to travel well, as well as what some call the “snowbird” effect, which is Northerners vacationing in their area being able to catch games.
In the end it will probably help their attendance.
I agree. I bet Habs and maaaayyyybe Leafs fans will travel to Florida for those games, just like the Giants saw a lot of Packers fans in East Rutherford this past weekend.
On top of that: playing against those teams means more media attention for the team.
Last point: in my experience, Hollywood Beach and areas of North Miami and southern Ft. Lauderdale have a large group of Quebecois retirees.
I updated the fanshot with links to the NHL articles and not twitter reports.
I’m warming up to the this new format the more I think about it.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:13 PM EST reply actions
I don’t like the unevenness. But didn’t like the six divisions either.
Like the home/home. Jersey will play Columbus in Columbus every year. Good for me.
The in conference games will be so important. Going to be fun.
I like the change.
So finally
This is a terrific news !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:14 PM EST reply actions
I think it will be this, since it leaked yesterday.
Bolts and Cats make more sense with our conferance, but the Flyers want to be with the Pens, and NBC and Bettman want the Pens with the Caps.
So, Panthers v Leafs will have to become a rivalry.
na-na-na-na HEY! You SUCK!!
I don’t think NBC has anything to do with it. If you didn’t simply assign Washington-Carolina to one eastern division and Tampa-Sunrise to the other, you’d have to draw a dividing line somewhere in this area and split up all the local rivals (Phi, Pitt, NYI, NYR, NJ) one way or another. Instead, they’ve “re-united the old bands” as much as they could (the old Patrick and Adams divisions) tne filled in a few holes here and there.
Yeah it’s freezing out there
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
NHL Players Association has to approve this. So this isn’t set in stone yet.
Also, the format for the playoffs after the 2nd round is not yet finalized. So they are deciding whether to make the 3rd round geographical or not.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:26 PM EST reply actions
At least they are starting earlier in their disagreements
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
Even if the players don’t particularly like this, they’ll probably go along with it eventually — unless there’s enough public and/or media-type backlash to submarine the whole thing. If nothing else, they’ll use their lack of enthusiasm as a bargaining chip to get something else they want at the CBA Table.
League source "don’t get caught up in two confereces having 7 vs two having 8 teams…NHL may expand to 32 teams and all 4 will have 8 #NHL
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:32 PM EST reply actions
One of my favorite shows.
If they do – give it to Quebec City and Kansas City.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
As much glee as the return of the Whale would bring to all hockey fans, I’m not sure that’s ever gonna happen
Status quo.
What about Quebec and Saint John?
Quebec City is obvious and Saint John is the richest city in Eastern Canada and definitly has the population to support an NHL team.
Another shot in the dark is Halifax also has a huge population if you include all the surrounding suburban areas.
Clarification: are you referring to Saint John, New Brunswick or St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
I assume you’re referring to St. John’s in Newfoundland.
Both are about 150,000 to 200,000 people, but Halifax is much larger. Closer to 500,000 in its metro area.
Oh………………………great.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Dec 5, 2011 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Because there are already a number of teams in financial trouble where two more teams creates instability within the league. It also waters down the league.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
The tree icon.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Matthew Ventolo on Dec 5, 2011 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Hit the image icon when you are posting a message (it looks like a tree) then post the url of the image.
I’d like to see it upside-down, backwards, and in a negative when the Devils get scored on.
If anyone has the skill for that.
Hope this goes to good use. Further adjustments can be made if requested haha.
by nightfront on Dec 5, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
1) Try previewing before hitting post.
2) Are you sure you’re putting in a URL?
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Dec 5, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
The latest
According to some guy from the Wings, the conferences will be named Pacific, Central, Atlantic, Northeast.
Status quo.
For those of you keeping score: yes, that means Tampa and Sunrise now are located in the Northeast. Fun with geography!
Status quo.
We’ll call it Sourtheast (or Noutheast).
by Marty 4 Prez on Dec 5, 2011 11:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Here's another idea:
Name the conferences after names of defunct teams from the region: California Golden Seals Conference, Cleveland Barons Conference, Hartford Whalers Conference, and the Atlanta Thrashers (or perhaps Flames, to avoid putting salt in the fresher wound) Conference.
Status quo.
That’s better than further exalting Lester Patrick, Conn Smythe, Jack Adams, and James Norris
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Dec 5, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
one thing im looking forward to is more rivarly matchups for the playoffs. the 2008-2009 season was my favorite since the lockout, the only thing i was kept thinking was that if the devils had won one more game, they wouldve gotten a rematch with the rangers in the first round. this playoff guarantees we will see a philly-pitt, rangers-isles, rangers-devilsm pitt-washington type matchup every year. nothing wrong with that in my book.
The more I think about this in general, I’m starting to hate it. It’s entirely feasible two ex-East or two ex-West can play for the Stanley Cup. Plus, what’s with this teams will play “five or six” in the eight-team conference, but the seven team conferences have to go with six? Apparently, the BoG sucks at math and realized you can’t divide 30 into 8 without a remainder. Ugh.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
Which is why we need to dump phoenix and columbus (or Dallas)!
by Marty 4 Prez on Dec 5, 2011 11:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No, it means the NHL should have been smart and said, “Hey, we got two 15-team conferences where the top 8 teams in each conference make it based on record. Let’s swap a West Conf. team (Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, it doesn’t matter) with Winnipeg and keep it.” Instead, they decide to blow up the current format for a stupid one.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
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by John Fischer on Dec 5, 2011 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
do you guys think the devils would make the playoffs in this format? its going to be tough, they will have to take care of business within the conference.
Just trade Kovy for Bobby Ryan and we will be en route for 1000 years of dynasty
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Dec 5, 2011 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Did the Devils vote against it?
I heard on versus that four teams voted against this proposal, wondering if anyone has confirmed who they are….may have missed it if someone mentioned it above i didnt see. This is terrible for the Devils. for the immediate future (5 years) the playoffs just became a lot harder for the Devils. Im sure their happy keeping the 6 home games against the rangers and the flyers to sell out, but not if comes at the price of the playoffs. Its also not fair to emerging teams or makets that dont make the playoffs often that would usually compete for a 7 or 8 spot but are now clearly out of the top four for a long time to come. It may well be good on rivalries, but conversely, a LOT of markets will know their out of the playoffs pretty early on and loose interest wherease previously the cluster around the 8th spot kept most team (even the Devils for a while last year) interested.
Only positive aspect to this is every team in every building each year.
I will probably get bashed for this but
Why not put the Rags and Isles in the Boston division and have Lightning and Panthers in ours? Makes somewhat geographical sense, more so then the proposed, and give us a chance to play the Rags for the Stanley Cup. With the Rags out Philly or Washington becomes our “new” division rival and also this would dramatically increase the Devils playoff chances. Our Rivalry with the Rangers is a fan oriented one not so much a great NHL rivalry, Hell according to Rangers fans the Devils are the Rangers 3rd biggest rival after the Isles and Philly. I would give up the Rags to beat up that Division and of course get a shot at the Rangers in the Cup Final now that would be epic. It makes sense for the Rags too because of the hole NY-Boston HATRED in sports. That would make a great rivalry as well as Buffalo and Montreal.
We could kill those southeast teams, make the playoffs every year, and set up great playoff series between NJ,PIT,PHI,and WAS and ill say it once more DEVILS v RAGS for the cup would be fantastic!
I also think a geographical break-up like that makes more sense. Then, the Rags would play against the Canadian originals and Boston more often. But, the Rags wouldn’t play Philly as often, so they might not support that.
That would address the geographic problem, but its possible that neither the Rangers or Devils would go for that. Both teams benefit from the rivalry.
Why not put the Rags and Isles in the Boston division and have Lightning and Panthers in ours?
Because it makes no sense to have two teams that are a dozen miles apart in separate divisions? Because all of the following teams would likely scream bloody murder about losing four games per season against regional rivals: Philadelphia, New Jersey, Rangers, Islanders?
Would you split Los Angeles and Anaheim into two separate divisions?
this would dramatically increase the Devils playoff chances.
Short term, perhaps it would. Long term is impossible to predict. The Islanders have been an inept franchise for a great many years — they haven’t won a playoff series since 1993, and they’ve won six playoff games (out of 26 played) since the start of the 1994 playoffs. I also imagine the Islanders draw reasonably well when they play the Devils and Flyers and wouldn’t want to lose home games for them — travel to Uniondale from Boston and points north is a pain and I can’t imagine visiting fans will want to do that very often.
DEVILS v RAGS for the cup would be fantastic!
Maybe. NBC (or whomever has the television rights) would be crying into their beer, because such “provincial” championship series/games do godawful in the ratings. More than that, I don’t want to see the Rangers in the Cup finals against anyone, let alone the Devils — I’m much happier when they miss the playoffs or disappear meekly into the night after one round.
I really don’t like this honestly… the fact that inferior teams can make the playoffs over better teams has bothered me even with just division leaders getting the top 3 seeds, but now you can have a conference that’s entirely better than another and three or four teams dont make the playoffs. They should just make it a top 16 for whoever had the most points.
And Kovalchuk speeds away, great moves, busting through, DID YOU SEE THAT?
That’s the WC’s argument already. I remember last year one of the Predators’ bloggers wrote something about wearing a traffic cone on his head (or something silly like that) if the Devils were to make the playoffs and the Predators didn’t (despite having more points).
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- Twins Matt, Ryan Rupert are double agitators for Knights at Memorial Cup
- Blue Jackets sign RW Dorsett to 3-year deal
