Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Thanks man.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Exactly!:thumbsup I always liked those names and liked how they were unique to the tradition of the NHL. The names of conferences/divisions don't necessarily need to be based on geography. See the MLB. Besides, it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Wales Conference teams are in the east and the Campbell conference teams are in the west.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I wonder how many people still remember these as the Conferences from back in the day. Frankly, as much as I hold Gary Bettman responsible for a lot of the league's problems, particularly the Sun Belt expansion, changing the conferences and divisions to a more user-friendly format is one of the better things he's done (not that I don't miss the weird, anachronistic names that no one who hadn't been following hockey for at least 50 years would remember), but this is one that's he's probably played the right way. Seriously, what the hell does the Clarence of Campbell Conference mean to anyone. Canada might be the better future market, but there has to be some sort of mainstream market, and those old names? Not gonna cut it. As it is, the names of the old divisions and conferences are still the names of the trophies the winning teams of those categories wins. I'll take that, if it doesn't mean alienating a television market.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I concur completely. The old division names were very confusing.

And really, after so many years what is the point of going back to them? Ask anyone about the Atlantic divison you think of Flyers-Rangers, Rangers-Devils, Pens-Flyers.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

See I thought it was stupid. It had character. I can't imagine someone in 1993 watching a game and saying "The Red wings are in the Campbell Conference? WTF is that? Where is that?" And then that same person a year later saying "The Red Wings are in the Western Conference?! Alright let's go Wings!" If someone is watching because of the name of a division please make them go away. I can't imagine if the NBA went to different names people would stop watching.

I see the second argument about why not to go back now but I disagree about the change.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

eh, I don't care for the Divisions anyway. It was cool when we won the central last year, but it didn't matter because San Jose won the conference (and that didn't matter because we swept them ;) )

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Bruins!!!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

We could say screw it all together and go way back to an all league playoff. Seed the teams 1-16.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I always liked the old names as one of the unique quirks of the NHL. I certainly understand the arguments against them and was being mildly facetious about advocating their return. Conference/Division names based on geography certainly make following the league more accessible to a mainstream audience. On the whole though, I agree with TMoore, names of conferences/divisions have little to do with attracting a wider audience, so the change was stupid in the first place.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

canucks come out flying, boston pushing back. should be a good series. nucks in 6

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I just hate the Canucks so much. I hate watching them play.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

A Canadian team wins, or an original 6 team wins. That's all good in my book:)

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Let's stick with this season's thread for the SCF, guys.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

damn...i have done that a few times. i meant to put that in the correct thread haha

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

From Bettman's State of the League yesterday he had this to say about realignment:

"On other issues, Bettman said no decision has been made on league realignment following the announcement the Atlanta Thrashers will relocate to Winnipeg next season.

Atlanta played in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. Winnipeg will remain in the Southeast Division for next year.

"I think we'll wind up moving towards a slightly more balanced schedule to accommodate the variety of issues I've heard so far from clubs," Bettman said."

I'm very curious about what that would entail.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Also in 3.5 hours Winnipeg sold almost 2,000 season tickets and that was only to current Manitoba Moose season ticket holders. Once the public can start buying on Saturday they'll fly. 13,000 won't be that tough imo.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

From Bob McKenzie "With the ownership situation in DAL not likely to be settled until later in summer, DAL will not be making contract offer to Brad Richards." I bet they wish they had traded him now.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

He'd look great in black and gold next year.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I miss the names, too--the Sabres still have Adams Division and Prince of Wales Conference Champion banners hung in the rafters--which I think rocks (and I always love it when Chris Berman uses the term "Norris Division", usually in reference to the old NFC division where the Vikings and Packers play), but changing them was a good idea. It might not be the biggest reason for expanded popularity of the NHL, but it certainly made it more user-friendly to the general public, which I'm fine with.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Cause the Bruins don't have enough centers? I think he'll be a Leaf or a Ranger.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

You can never have enough centers. We could move either Peverley or Kelly and keep Seguin on the wing. I'd love to see what a combination of Seguin and Richards could do next year.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

He'd look even better in Blue and Gold - Man do I really want the Sabres to sign him

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

How much cap room do they have for next year?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think they have like 18 million in cap space - plenty to make a big move or a few big moves

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yea that's definitely a good amount of money. Bruins should have a bit with Ryder and Kaberle coming off the books, and I wouldn't be surprised if Savard announces his retirement after the finals are over. So the Bruins will have some money to throw around.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wings have the money too if they sign one of the cheaper FA defensemen. Not gonna happen but hey. I really believe TO, would give Kessel someone legit, or NYR cause they spend money but also it would be good money spent unlike on Drury plus Torts was his coach in TB. There was a report that he didn't really want the big market with the attention but he might not have a choice. The teams that would need or want him and have money are the more high pressure markets.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah and those are the teams that will want to pay him. My only concern is that if the Bruins get him the contract will be too long. All of these teams going into a bidding war will not only drive up the salary but the years as well, and I believe he's already 32 or 33. I could be slightly off on his age though.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah well the length thing will be interesting this year. It's the first year of the new rules. They can't give him a 10 year deal with a lower cap number like before. If they sign him to a 10 year deal his average cap number is only the average until he turns 40. So if they pay him $600k for years where he's 41 and 42 it won't bring down the cap number. That might come into play.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

That's true. The NHL salary cap is ridiculously confusing. I'm sure if I sat down and put some effort into understanding it I could, but I just don't have the time anymore. :lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol I don't understand it either so I just let Tim explain it to me