< NHL Discussion Thread >

[Don Vito]

I like how Gaustad was acting like a madman last night but his tail was between his legs while he received an ass beating from Lucic

[SuperMcGee]

Nice to see Ryan O'Reilly playing this well. Probably followed him more than any other junior player when he was shining in Erie. Haven't caught many Avs games this year, but it seems strange that he's not getting time on the kill. Don't feel like he'd need to pushed from that role, even after they got McClement. But if his offensive game is blossoming this much, then whatever works.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by SuperMcgee

Nice to see Ryan O'Reilly playing this well. Probably followed him more than any other junior player when he was shining in Erie. Haven't caught many Avs games this year, but it seems strange that he's not getting time on the kill. Don't feel like he'd need to pushed from that role, even after they got McClement. But if his offensive game is blossoming this much, then whatever works.

The kid's line has been leading us in Ice time all season, plus this season he's been taking a much more offensive role. Last year he was very hesitant about jumping into the play as he was so focused on staying defensively responsible, this season I think they're making a concentrated effort and making him feel comfortable enough to play O as well and 21 points in 27 games is a good result. That's why he's now playing on the PP and not the PK and why he's splitting the defensive shifts with McClement, who's really turned it on since we moved Dutchy to Staz's wing and started giving McC more than 4th line minutes.

[prock]

With the Vikings being terrible, the Twins being terrible, and the Wolves being the Wolves, I am so incredibly thankful the Wild are good this year. My fanhood needs this.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

Looks like the change from divisions to 4 conferences is becoming official. The playoff system is also radical/awesome.

[Brent]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604852

I love it!

[TheBoyWonder22]

I think I'd swap Carolina and Buffalo but I get both ideas. I still really like it.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

Wonder what will happen a few years ago to add teams to the 7 team conferences in the East.

Plus, seems like there can be re-seeding after 2 rounds? which means all western or eastern cup finals sounds intriguing. The playoff format is not set yet, they will vote on that in March.

[Xiomera]

Love this new format. I'll have time to look it over and consider all of its intricacies tomorrow, but it alleviates the problems many teams (not just Detroit) had with the old format.

Well done, NHL.

[njx9]

i don't like that i have less chances to see the wings in denver, but i'm really pretty ok with this if i'm not being selfish. i can't say i get the playoff structure, but whatever.

[Jensen]

Looks pretty good to me. Not sure on the playoff format yet though...

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by TheBoyWonder22

I think I'd swap Carolina and Buffalo but I get both ideas. I still really like it.

I'd be pretty livid if they separated us from Boston. Nobody gives a **** about the Canes, anyway.

Haven't fully looked at the playoff format (it's not even all decided yet) but I think there's a real good chance I don't like it.

[yo123]

It fixes the Wild's completely ridiculous travel schedule, so I'll take it.

[TheBoyWonder22]

Originally Posted by SuperMcgee

I'd be pretty livid if they separated us from Boston. Nobody gives a **** about the Canes, anyway.

Haven't fully looked at the playoff format (it's not even all decided yet) but I think there's a real good chance I don't like it.

I was saying because I like the idea of all New York teams staying together. I completely forgot about you and Boston. If they did switch them though, those rivalries would be fun.

[Verloren]

Definitely looks interesting and opens up the league to adding 2 teams waaay down the road (EC only though).

[Xiomera]

Originally Posted by Verloren

Definitely looks interesting and opens up the league to adding 2 teams waaay down the road (EC only though).

Or shifting Phoenix elsewhere. That is now an easy task.

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by TheBoyWonder22

I was saying because I like the idea of all New York teams staying together. I completely forgot about you and Boston. If they did switch them though, those rivalries would be fun.

It wouldn't be too difficult to form rivalries with the Pens, Rangers, and Flyers, that's for sure. I like sticking with the Northeast teams, though, and I'm sure traveling Canadian fans enjoy it, as well.

[prock]

That is quite the dramatic change. I did not expect that. That being said, I kind of like it. No more west coast for the Wild!

[slightlyaraiderfan]

Here is the new alignment, in pictures (i didn't make it)

i like the changes, there's going to be some cons of course.

i think the playoff format should be first 2 rounds within the conference, then re-seeded. yay or nay?

[Xiomera]

There had to be a better combination for those two eastern divisions, but frankly, I don't care, **** the east coast.

[Hines]

Pens, Caps, Flyers, Rangers in one division is nasty.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Xiomera

There had to be a better combination for those two eastern divisions, but frankly, I don't care, **** the east coast.

Not really. They couldn't break up NYI/NYR/NJD and only take two of the three. The only other viable option would have been taking PIT/PHI, but that would have messed up a bunch of other things. FLA/TB now benefit from an extra game or two from the Canadian teams which will be huge draws for them.

[Xiomera]

Originally Posted by Jensen

Not really. They couldn't break up NYI/NYR/NJD and only take two of the three. The only other viable option would have been taking PIT/PHI, but that would have messed up a bunch of other things. FLA/TB now benefit from an extra game or two from the Canadian teams which will be huge draws for them.

Well, I've seen plausible alternatives pitched by the ESPN hockey writers.

Like I said, the East can suck it up and deal with it.

[Xiomera]

Tootoo suspended 2 games. Man, Ryan Miller really can't catch a break.

[Stash]

The two Florida teams would probably be out of place no matter how you slice it up.