I don't see why Pittsburgh would have any issues with alignment. To a lesser extent I don't see Montreal's problem(although the FLA thing sort of sucks for them)
Teams I would assume that would have the biggest beef would be the FLA teams and Detroit and Columbus.
If the league does (as many are predicting) expand to 32 teams, teams would have to be added to the two "Eastern" conferences that now have one less team than the two "Western" conferences. Assuming one is Quebec, they'd obviously go into the "Northeast" conference. So that means our conference would need a team.
One option would be to add Columbus to our conference if a new franchise is put somewhere further west. Another option would be to add 2 Canadian teams to the "Northeast" and move the 2 FL teams to our conference. However, if not one of those two options, then I suspect there's a chance that a new franchise would be put in one of:
Baltimore
Hartford
Atlanta
Those are the biggest TV markets in the conference's geographic zone that do not currently have teams. Opinions?
If the league does (as many are predicting) expand to 32 teams, teams would have to be added to the two "Eastern" conferences that now have one less team than the two "Western" conferences. Assuming one is Quebec, they'd obviously go into the "Northeast" conference. So that means our conference would need a team.
One option would be to add Columbus to our conference if a new franchise is put somewhere further west.
2 of Detroit, Columbus and Nashville can move to the East if they add 2 western teams
I am guessing if 2 teams get added one will be in Portland or Seattle(if not both)
One option would be to add Columbus to our conference if a new franchise is put somewhere further west. Another option would be to add 2 Canadian teams to the "Northeast" and move the 2 FL teams to our conference. However, if not one of those two options, then I suspect there's a chance that a new franchise would be put in one of:
Baltimore
Hartford
Atlanta
I doubt Baltimore gets a team as they essentially have the Caps, and I also doubt the league's in any rush to try Atlanta again. Hartford would be interesting, but a long shot IMO.
My guess would be that if Phoenix moves to Quebec and the league expands, they'll put new teams in the PNW (Seattle or Portland) and one of Kansas City, Houston, or Vegas then move either Detroit or Columbus to one of the east conferences. If Phoenix stays put and the league expands then I see them putting a new franchise in one of the places I mentioned plus one in Quebec or maybe Hamilton, and still moving Columbus or Detroit east.
My guess would be that if Phoenix moves to Quebec and the league expands, they'll put new teams in the PNW (Seattle or Portland) and one of Kansas City, Houston, or Vegas then move either Detroit or Columbus to one of the east conferences. If Phoenix stays put and the league expands then I see them putting a new franchise in one of the places I mentioned plus one in Quebec or maybe Hamilton, and still moving Columbus or Detroit east.
If Quebec is going to get a team, the league would be better off moving Phoenix to a US city that you mentioned, then giving Quebec an expansion team
I love everyone complaining about how we would never make the playoffs. You guys do realize that if this system was implemented we would actually be only 6 games out as opposed to 8 right? And if we won both those two games we have in hand on the Capitals we would only be 1 game out....
So your argument for this is at some inane point in December the Islanders are closer to a playoff spot then they would be under the current format?
Point is, the cream will rise to the top after 82 games, and we're severely out-gunned by two top payroll teams and two teams with superstars. And that doesnt even take into account the Devils.
Face it, we're in a Conference full of gun fighters, and we've got a steak knife.
So your argument for this is at some inane point in December the Islanders are closer to a playoff spot then they would be under the current format?
Point is, the cream will rise to the top after 82 games, and we're severely out-gunned by two top payroll teams and two teams with superstars. And that doesnt even take into account the Devils.
Face it, we're in a Conference full of gun fighters, and we've got a steak knife.
MTL and TOR are the two biggest draws down here, followed by NYR, BOS, PHI. NYI and NJD have fans at the games, but not nearly on the same level. I think FLA at least is happy with this setup.
Here in Tampa MTL and TOR are def. the top 2 draws (Buffalo/NYR/BOS would be next). But the flying costs may be pretty high. The Lightning do just fine with attendance as it is now. I think there's a chance the two FL teams voted it down.
Here in Tampa MTL and TOR are def. the top 2 draws (Buffalo/NYR/BOS would be next). But the flying costs may be pretty high. The Lightning do just fine with attendance as it is now. I think there's a chance the two FL teams voted it down.
Can't speak for TAM, but FLA didn't sound like they went against the plan.*
From Dale Tallon to NHL.com:
Quote:
"From the business side, getting Toronto and Montreal and Boston to come to our building is really good for us. Travel is the negative, but hopefully we can work around it. ... The travel is not exactly easy to Winnipeg in our division this year, so we're dealing with it. If this is what is best for the overall competitive League balance, then I'm OK with it."
*Not sure if Tallon or the owner is the official governor as the Panther's site doesn't list that title anywhere, just an alternate governor (Bill Torrey).
I like the new alignment and plan for the playoffs alot. Next year it will likely be the islanders, devils, canes fighting for the 4th spot unless the rangers suffer a set back next year. Phi,wash,pitts are locks for a couple years...well, should be.
The more I think about this, the more I think the Florida teams are kinda getting screwed. While northern teams draw well down there, the travel schedule kinda sucks when the nearest team, aside from the other Florida team, is Buffalo. It probably would've been much better for them if the eastern divisions were more like:
NYI
NYR
NJ
WSH
CAR
FLA
TB
-------
MTL
TOR
OTT
BUF
BOS
PHI
PIT
Don't get me wrong, as an Islander fan I wouldn't want to have Philly or Pittsburgh taken from my division for rivalry purposes (though I bet it would be easier to make the playoffs without them)... I just figure the Florida teams would rather have a more sensible geographic schedule even if it meant having less of the opposition's fans to fill the building.
Why are you people complaining the Isles get screwed? The only ones screweing the Isles is themselves. Get a lot better & all of a sudden they'll be able to compete with the top teams.
The more I think about this, the more I think the Florida teams are kinda getting screwed. While northern teams draw well down there, the travel schedule kinda sucks when the nearest team, aside from the other Florida team, is Buffalo. It probably would've been much better for them if the eastern divisions were more like:
NYI
NYR
NJ
WSH
CAR
FLA
TB
-------
MTL
TOR
OTT
BUF
BOS
PHI
PIT
Don't get me wrong, as an Islander fan I wouldn't want to have Philly or Pittsburgh taken from my division for rivalry purposes (though I bet it would be easier to make the playoffs without them)... I just figure the Florida teams would rather have a more sensible geographic schedule even if it meant having less of the opposition's fans to fill the building.
Usually for a rivalry to work, you have to either occupy the same city/state or both teams must be good. The is no rivalry with either Pitt or Philly. The Islanders have been a punching bag for those teams for a while now.
And really, when you have divisional playoffs, rivalries just start to erupt out of nowhere. Each game inside the division (or conference or whatever the **** they are calling it) will be extremely intense. The Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes will soon be huge rivals. Take a minute to digest that. But it's reality. There are very few true rivalries anymore due to the conference set up. Remember the old Norris division? The Blues, Wings and Hawks used to HATE each other. Epic games every time they met. Now? Not so much. Next year? Watch it start up again.
And I didn't even mention what the playoffs will be like. At least the first two rounds. There are your rivalries.
Usually for a rivalry to work, you have to either occupy the same city/state or both teams must be good. The is no rivalry with either Pitt or Philly. The Islanders have been a punching bag for those teams for a while now.
And really, when you have divisional playoffs, rivalries just start to erupt out of nowhere. Each game inside the division (or conference or whatever the **** they are calling it) will be extremely intense. The Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes will soon be huge rivals. Take a minute to digest that. But it's reality. There are very few true rivalries anymore due to the conference set up. Remember the old Norris division? The Blues, Wings and Hawks used to HATE each other. Epic games every time they met. Now? Not so much. Next year? Watch it start up again.
And I didn't even mention what the playoffs will be like. At least the first two rounds. There are your rivalries.
I agree i do not see Philly or The pens our rivals
Can't speak for TAM, but FLA didn't sound like they went against the plan.*
From Dale Tallon to NHL.com:
*Not sure if Tallon or the owner is the official governor as the Panther's site doesn't list that title anywhere, just an alternate governor (Bill Torrey).
The Lightning sounded really mad in the paper today. Here's some quotes (Boucher's and Yzerman's are really to the point):
Vinik (owner): "I'm not comfortable talking about my vote," he said.
But Vinik on Tuesday acknowledge that for Tampa Bay, the additional travel in a conference with Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Florida is "a definite minus." The tradeoff, he said, is the league "promised" to make road trips "as efficient as possible."
Boucher: "Any travel wears you down," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said, and added, "Carolina was the closest team to us (other than Florida) and they're not in our conference. We built a rivalry with Washington and they're gone, too. I guess the league has their own agenda and we've got our own. Obviously, when you've got two agendas, they clash."
Yzerman: Said general manager Steve Yzerman: "The whole concept, in general, works for the league. But it's not good for us, individually, or Florida. Our travel is going to increase significantly. It's going to make it more difficult and challenging."
(and some players for the heck of it)
MSL: "Maybe we should built a practice facility in Vermont,'' Lightning forward Marty St. Louis said to Times beat writer Damian Cristodero on Tuesday, "and live in Vermont and take little flights here and there, live in the hotel when we come for home stretches.''
Malone: "All the Canadian teams, that's a far trip, I don't know," Lightning wing Ryan Malone told the St. Petersburg Times after Monday's loss at Ottawa. "I didn't see that coming. I was going to say something funny about Gary Bettman but I'm going to keep it to myself."
Lecavalier: "It's really weird," C Vinny Lecavalier said. "But they voted on it, so … "
