This pic, which is a geographical representation of the new NHL realignment, was taken from here.
I think it does a nice job visually breaking this new NHL world down.
Now some quick thoughts (didn't think you'd get off that easy did ya!?)
- You would have thought the Jackets won the cup with this Priest "fantastic night" crap. Remember the Priest motto: Business first. Winning second. Or Third?
- It could have been better, but it could also have been worse.
- Reduced travel, reduced costs, better TV times, maintaining some existing rivalries, seeing all 29 teams annually all benefits.
- 50% chance to make playoffs (versus 53%) biggest drawback. Then again, is 3% really make or break for us? The rate we've been going we couldn't make it with a 75% chance.
- Don't mind the additions of Dallas, Minnesota and Winnipeg. They just made a tough conference even tougher.
- I've read from some folks asking about the impact to the All Star game. My thought is who really cares?
- This is all fine and dandy but none of it matters if we continue to be a speed bump to the rest of the NHL.
- Thankfully our brain trust are all excited about the potential to milk more $$ from away fans. Here's a wild thought? How about focusing on icing a winner and filling our OWN barn with our OWN fans?
Overall this has created a lot of headlines in the NHL. In terms of the big NHL picture, this is pretty radical.
For me personally, I more concerned with fixing this team than I am fixing the conference they play in.
Montreal up next tonight. We should match up pretty well and they have struggled in their own barn thus far with only a 4-5-4 record.
-LTL
