NHL 2012 Division Realignment with Winnipeg

The word out of some media outlets is that Gary Bettman has put forward a plan with the League’s Board of Governors, to return to a 4 division format, with divisional playoff play, for the 2012/2013 season.

This is something I would support, along with White Uniforms at home and a return to "Named" Divisions.

If the plan is implemented, there would be two conferences, each with 1 seven, and 1 eight team division. Each team would play home and away against every other team in the league for the first time in over a decade. The new divisions would be the Pacific, Midwest, East, and South.

Detroit and Columbus are both being promised moves East. That would mean another team besides Winnipeg would have to head West. My guess is Toronto, which will reunite with some of its old Norris Division Rivals in the "Midwest."

Here is my breakdown as to how that would shake out geographically:

East
Montreal
Ottawa
Buffalo
Boston
New York
New York
New Jersey
Philadelphia

South
Washington
Columbus
Detroit
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Florida
Pittsburgh





Midwest
St. Louis
Winnipeg
Minnesota
Chicago
Edmonton
Calgary
Toronto
Nashville

Pacific
Vancouver
Colorado
Phoenix
Los Angeles
San Jose
Anaheim
Dallas

Realigned NHL Divisions with Winnipeg?

Realigned NHL Divisions with Winnipeg?
As I said here, don’t throw assume Atlanta is done yet.
But let’s just say for a moment that the deal between Atlanta Spirit and True North Entertainment does whisk away hockey back to the Manitoban Plains, how would the NHL adjust its divisions to accommodate such a move? Chances are we will either get a lame duck team in Atlanta this year, or have the absurdity of City on the same longitude of Lincoln, Nebraska being in the Southeast.
But starting in the 2012-13 season you have to imagine the NHL would alter its divisions for reduced travel cost and more natural geographic rivalries. What will such a league look like? Let’s take a stab at a few options here, just for fun.

The “Easy” Path
The most simple way to handle realignment would be to move Winnipeg into the Central Division of the Western Conference and switch Nashville into the empty spot from the Southeast. That would be geographical, logical and create the least amount of waves.

The “Traditionalist” Path
There was a time in hockey where each division sent 4 teams into the playoffs and the first two rounds were heated inter-divisional play. How could that work with 30 teams? Here is how I would see it happening with one 7 and one 8 team division in each conference. Playoff teams based on last years point totals are in bold. This setup would leave room for two more expansion teams (Quebec and Seattle anyone?)to eventually round the league off at four 8-team division, with exactly half making the playoffs. While going back to the traditional Conference titles, the league should also return to the home teams wearing white.

Wales Conference


Patrick Division
Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Nashville Predators
New York Rangers
Carolina Hurricanes
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders



Adams Division
Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadians
Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
Florida Panthers




Campbell Conference

Norris Division
Detroit Redwings
Chicago Blackhawks
Dallas Stars
St. Louis Blues
Minnesota Wild
Columbus Blue Jackets
Winnipeg Jets


Smythe Division
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks
Anaheim Ducks
Phoenix Coyotes
Los Angeles Kings
Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
Edmonton Oilers


A Truly Radical Approach
This would really shake things up quite a bit. It would make no sense in terms of the history of the game and a lot of traditional rivalries and Conference affiliations would be broken up, but it would certainly be something new and exciting.

Eastern Conference

Northeast
Boston Bruins
Montreal Canadians
New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders

Great Lakes
Detroit Redwings
Chicago Blackhawks
Ottawa Senators
Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs

Mid-Atlantic
Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers

Western Conference

Central Division
Pittsburgh Penguins
Nashville Predators
Dallas Stars
St. Louis Blues
Columbus Blue Jackets

Northwest
Phoenix Coyotes
Calgary Flames
Minnesota Wild
Winnipeg Jets
Edmonton Oilers

Pacific Division
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks
Anaheim Ducks
Los Angeles Kings
Colorado Avalanche

NHL Conference Finals

The NHL conference finals are ready to get underway. Here are some previews and predictions.

Prince of Wales (Eastern Conference):
Boston (3) vs Tampa Bay (5)-
Overview: Tampa has answered all questions about their team this postseason and look like real contenders after defeating Pittsburgh in 7 and sweeping Washington. Boston was the best defensive team in the East this year, but does not have any breakout scoring threats. They vanquished their rival Montreal and benefitted from Philadelphia's annual spring goalie implosion to get to this point.
Goalies: All Star Tim Thomas is in net for the Bruins, while 41 year Dwyane Roloson has found a fountain of youth this spring for the Bolts. I'm giving the edge to Tampa in this matchup, I just don't trust Thomas and his unorthodox style to bring the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Star Performers:
Boston: Patrice Bergeron leads the Bruins with 2 goals and 10 assists these playoffs. The story behind those numbers are even more impressive, as he has often been matched up against other teams top lines. His health will be a major question, as he is still suffering from a concussion he sustained from a hit by Claude Giroux in the Flyers series. The only skater more important for Boston is their mammoth Defenseman and Captain Zdeno Chara. He has 2 goals and is a team leading +11 in these playoffs. He averages around 28 minutes of ice per game and changes everything for Boston while he is out there.

Tampa: Martin St. Louis has been playing great as always for the Lightning. For a little dude out there, he can change the game just as much as Chara. He has 6 goals and 7 assists thus far in the postseason. His long time partner, Vinnie Lecaviler has been solid as well, with 5 and 7. Sean Bergenheim has netted a surprising 7 goals, playing on the best 3rd line in these playoffs with Dominic Moore. Eric Brewer has opened my eyes with some great two way play from the blueline.

Guys who need to step up:
Boston: Milan Lucic has had a very quiet playoffs. The Bruins are going to need the power forward to make a big impact if they want to halt the Bolts run
Tampa:Ryan Malone has been a solid player for Tampa, but his offensive numbers are lacking. He needs to rise up to lead the Lightning to their 2nd Finals apperance.

Campbell (Western Conference):
Vancouver (1) vs San Jose (2)
-
Overview: Both of these teams have overcome labels as not being able to perform in the playoffs and won game 7's at home after squandering 3 games to None series leads. Both had great regular seasons with talented rosters, and now one will move on to the Stanley Cup Finals, San Jose for the 1st time ever or Vancouver for their 2nd apperance after losing to the Rangers in 1994.

Goalies: Roberto Luongo overcame some shaky play and a surprise benching in the 1st round against Chicago and then outdueled Pikke Rinne against Nashville. He has had great regular seasons and won a gold medal last year, now he looks to complete Vancouver's quest for hockey's Holy Grail. The Sharks meanwhile have last years Cup winning Goalie, Annti Niemi. The Finn may be the difference maker this year between chokers and champs for the guys in teal.

Star Performers:
Vancouver: Ryan Kessler has been all everything for the Nucks so far and leads them with 5 goals and 10 assists. Alex Burrows has provided them with solid depth scoring and great two way play.

San Jose: The young trio of Logan Couture, Ryan Clowe, and Devin Setoguchi are leading the way in scoring for the Sharks. Joe Thorton and Danny Heatly have played better these playoffs then in prior dissapointing years.

Guys who need to step up:
Vancouver: The Sedin twins have been solid, but for the Canucks to get to the next level they really need to take over like they are capable of doing.

San Jose: Patrick Marleau has had a lackluster postseason, for the Sharks to win this he will need to contribute, and show Jeremy Roenick some heart.

Official Blog Predictions-
Lightning over Bruins in 6
Canucks over Sharks in 7

Series predictions so far:
East: 3-3
West: 5-1
Overall: 8-4

Ranking of finals league wants for US TV rating-
1. Boston / San Jose
2. Tampa / San Jose
3. Boston / Vancouver
4. Tampa / Vancouver

NHL 2nd Round Predictions

More detailed analysis to come, but since the Vancouver-Nashville Series starts tonight I wanted to get my official predictions in today.

Wales Conference

1)Washington Capitals vs. 5) Tampa Bay Lightning
Capitals in 7

2)Philadelphia Flyers vs. 3) Boston Bruins
Bruins in 6

Campbell Conference

1)Vancouver Canucks vs. 5)Nashville Predators
Canucks in 4

2)Detroit Redwings vs. 3)San Jose Sharks
Redwings in 6

NHL Playoff Previews (West)

For the Eastern Conference picks click here.

Be sure to check out JMG's 1st round predictions as well, for the East, and the West.

Western (Campbell) Conference

1- Vancouver Canucks vs. 8- Chicago Blackhawks
Quick Summary: The Canucks were far and away the best team in hockey during the regular season. They won the President’s Trophy for most total points, had the most goals scored of any team, and the least goals allowed in the same season. They are headlined by the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik on offense, and have perennial all-star Roberto Luongo in net. The Chicago Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but struggled mightily this year after cap issues forced them to jettison quite a few of their role-players from their championship club. They backed into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season after the Dallas Stars failed to beat the Minnesota Wild. It has set up an intriguing 1st round matchup between the former Champs trying to regain form and the team that has absolutely been dominate thus far in 2011.

Canucks Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Luongo won the gold medal for Canada last year so he can pull off the big games, Awesome combination of size and skill up front, Most talented top to bottom roster in the league
Liabilities: The President’s Trophy Curse, Recent history of losing to Chicago in the Playoffs the last two years, Some injuries on a banged up blueline are a concern.

Blackhawks Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Skilled forwards and lots of them, The swagger of being the defending champs and owning the Canucks, A very good group of defensemen
Liabilities: Corey Crawford is a rookie goalie going up against a juggernaut, lack of depth guys who carried them to last year’s title, offensive has sputtered a bit down the stretch.

Prediction: Canucks in 7

2- San Jose Sharks vs. 7- Los Angeles Kings
Quick Summary: San Jose Won the Pacific division crown and as always brings a solid squad into the playoffs. It is matter of whether or not they can finally play up to their talent level when it matter most. The Kings are still a young and talented squad, but are reeling from the late season loss to injury of superstar Anze Kopitar.

Sharks Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Great talent top to bottom, last year’s cup winning goaltender in Antti Niemi, Logan Couture is quite an impressive young forward.
Liabilities: History of choking in the playoffs, Ryan Clowe is banged up, Lack of shutdown defensemen

Kings Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Jon Quick is a fabulous young goalie is the only hope for the Kings to steal the upset, decent group of forwards even without Kopitar led by Dustin Brown’s in your face attitude, Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty give them two legit playoff pairings on D
Liabilities: Did I mention Kopitar is out?, So is winger Justin Williams who is their 3rd leading scorer, Quick was shelled in the final 3 games after going up 2-1 on the Canucks last year

Prediction: Sharks in 4

3- Detroit Redwings vs. 6- Phoenix Coyotes
Quick Summary: The always contending Redwings got back to form this season after a disappointing 2010 by their lofty standards. They have a 1st round rematch with the Phoenix Coyotes, who may not know where they are playing next season, but have been very focused on the ice under Coach Dave Tippet for the 2010/11 campaign.

Redwings Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Tons of experience and a rock solid system, Tons of firepower up front, The ageless wonder Nick Lidstrom leading a very good d core.
Liabilities: Age and injury concerns abound, Jimmy Howard has never backstopped an NHL team to a long playoff run, Do they still have the burning desire to get through 4 grueling rounds?

Coyotes Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Shane Doan is a lifelong Coyote and fiery leader on and off the ice, Ilya Bryzgalov can play lights out in net, Good group of 6 defensemen.
Liabilities: Lack of talent up front at forward, no real gamebreakers beyond Doan and Bryzgalov, Very little playoff experience in this squad against a team who knows exactly what needs to be done this time of year.

Prediction: Redwings in 5

4- Anaheim Ducks vs. 5- Nashville Predators
Quick Summary: The Ducks have successfully rebuilt from their 2007 Cup team with a solid core of young forwards including Rocket Richard winner Corey Perry. They are a tough, physical team who can score goals in bunches. The Nashville Predators field their annual playoff squad of young guys almost nobody has heard of. They do this every year with a great team defense and all for one concept instilled by longtime coach Barry Trotz.

Ducks Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Their forwards can both score goals and punch you in the mouth, Teemu Selanne’s fountain of youth, Ray Emery’s reemergence as a legit star goalie.
Liabilities: Blueline and goaltending is a little suspect, Emery’s health/mental approach, May take a few too many dumb penalties and pay for it

Predators Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Pekka Rinne seems like a goalie who steals playoff series, no prima donnas or head-cases just a solid top to bottom team, Shea Weber’s shot.
Liabilities: Lack of offensive firepower/skill, Have never got over 1st round hurdle, Questionable blueline after Weber and Ryan Suter.

Prediction: Predators in 7

NHL Playoff Previews (East)

For the Western Conference picks click here

Be sure to check out JMG's 1st round predictions as well, for the East, and the West.



Eastern (Wales) Conference

1- Washington Capitals vs. 8- New York Rangers
Quick Summary: The Capitals have been a great team since the trade deadline and vaulted to the top of the Conference standings. Their offensive superstars have been reined in this year and they have shown a much greater attention to defensive details. The Rangers have alot of gritty forwards who aren't afraid to mix it up, a young talented defensive core, and a solid goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers are the only team they Capitals have beaten in a playoff series in the “Ovechkin Era."

Capitals Assets vs. Liabilities:
Assets: Ovechkin, Much More rounded overall game, More Focus
Liabilities: Ghosts of previous early round exits, Will new found structure maintain itself under playoff pressures?, injuries to Green, Wideman, and Poti leave blueline a bit thin

Rangers Assets vs. Liabilities:
Assets: Lundqvist, Defense, Tortorella's crazy like a fox attitude and forwards who will go to battle with him
Liabilities: The bad side of crazy is undisciplined play, Lack of firepower, Ryan Callahan being out leaves a lot on Marian Gaborik's plate offensively.

Prediction: Caps in 5

2- Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7- Buffalo Sabres
Quick Summary: The Flyers come off a Stanley Cup run that fell short in the finals last year, they looked like world beaters in February, but have fallen off their game since then. The Sabres are back in the playoffs for the second year in a row behind the stellar goaltending of Ryan Miller. They have been quite hot down the stretch, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Flyers Assets vs. Liabilities:
Assets: If Pronger is healthy they have the best blueline in hockey, Great scoring depth through some very talented forward lines, fantastic mix of toughness and skill among their skaters
Liabilities: Goaltending, Goaltending, Goaltending

Sabres Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Ryan Miller, A bunch of hardworking guys, Lindsay Ruff always gets alot out of his sometimes limited talent.
Liabilities: Lack of firepower to match offensive tallies, no real superstars outside of Miller, the tormented hopes of generations of Buffalonians weighs heavy upon them.

Prediction: Sabres in 6

3- Boston Bruins vs. 6- Montreal Canadiens
Quick Summary:
Two of the most storied franchises in the NHL meet up for yet another knockdown, drag out playoff battle. New fuel has been added to the rivalry this season, with Zdeno Chara's brutal hit on Max Pacioretty and games featuring linebrawls between the clubs.

Boston Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Best Defensive goals against in the Conference behind Tim Thomas, Chara is a force on the blueline, Everyone pulls their weight in their balanced offensive system
Liabilities: Thomas unorthodox style will be exposed once again in a playoff series, lack of a game breaking forward up front, Long history of losing against the Habs in the playoffs.

Canadiens Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Habs Mystique, Same core group of skaters from last year’s giant slaying squad, the 'win this one for Max' card
Liabilities: No Jaroslav Halak, Carey Price's past big game meltdowns, undersized and slightly underskilled squad

Prediction: Canadiens in 7


4- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5- Tampa Bay Lightning
Quick Summary: The Penguins managed to overcome injuries to their two all world superstar forwards, Sidney Crosby and Evegeni Malkin, and secured homeice for the first round playoff series with solid defense and all around contributions from the 'bottom half' of their roster. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a rejuvenated bunch with quite an impressive collection of offensively gifted forwards up front.

Penguins Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Marc-Andre Fleury is a proven playoff goalie, Great team effort in the face of adversity, very solid blueline and top ranked penalty kill
Liabilities: Power Play is punchless, lack of top notch scoring with Crosby and Malkin out, Injuries

Lightning Assets vs. Liabilities
Assets: Firepower and lots of it, St. Louis and Stamkos, Great power play
Liabilities: Blueline is a little suspect, is Roloson going to carry this team at 41, where is Vinny's head

Prediction: Lightning in 6


Western (Campbell) Conference
1- Vancouver Canucks vs. 8- Chicago Blackhawks
2- San Jose Sharks vs. 7- Los Angeles Kings
3- Detroit Redwings vs. 6- Phoenix Coyotes
4- Anaheim Ducks vs. 5- Nashville Predators

First-round picks for the Eastern Conference

The first-round playoffs in the Eastern Conference will be quite intriguing.
For all you Penguins fans out there, get ready for the ride.
I have already started my playoff beard, but I may shave it soon because I am going on vacation in Las Vegas in May, and I have to look good for the ladies.
I hope it doesn't jink the Pens.
As for the first round, Pittsburgh will host Tampa Bay in the first two games at the Consol Energy Center. The Lightning are dangerous offensively with Steven Stamkos and Co., although they are underrated defensively. They feature the eighth best penalty kill in the NHL.
That said, Pittsburgh has been playing playoff-type hockey since Sidney Crosby went down. The difference: Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury is the Penguins' MVP, and should be in consideration for the NHL MVP award. He knows how to play in the playoffs, and nothing fazes him.
Sidney Crosby is probably out for this series, although he may return if Pittsburgh beats Tampa Bay.
Matt Cooke would also return for the second round should the Penguins advance.
I think Fleury will will Pittsburgh to a Game 7 victory.
Washington won't let its second No. 1 seed in as many years go to waste. The Capitals will top the Rangers in five games.
Philadelphia, the Atlantic Division champion, will dump Buffalo in six games in the 2-7 matchup.
Boston will defend its No. 3 seed by beating Montreal in five games. The Canadiens had a tremendous run last season, however the Bruins will make short work of the Habs.
There you have it. Sit back, drink a few Labatte's or Molson's, watch some great hockey and be safe. I think the first-round games are very exciting. It gives fans the opportunity to watch all the games.
If you don't have Versus, find a cable, satellite, or Direct TV company that carries it. Also, most bars put on all the games.

First-round picks for the Western Conference

After a 5-3 loss to Minnesota Sunday, Dallas will be watching the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. It was a good effort by the Stars to try and get back in the race, but the defending champs, the Chicago Blackhawks, will have the opportunity to defend their championship.
The 1-8 matchup in the West will be Vancouver-Chicago. I know this is a long shot, although I believe the Jonathan Toews and Co. will top the Canucks in seven. Vancouver is a talented team, won the Presidents' Trophy and has been in the playoffs before, but I like the Hawks.
They have been playing well, and know what it's like to win the Cup.
San Jose meets Los Angeles in a 2-7 matchup. The Sharks will advance to the second round in five games. I don't see this series as being too exciting. I like the Kings, and they have a good nucleus, although they're not ready to advance just yet.
Detroit, who is always in the mix, will take on Phoenix and advance to the West semis in six games. The Red Wings have talent, experience and the desire to win. Jimmy Howard may be inexperienced compared to most of his teammates, but he is ready to step up.
I believe Detroit has incentive to win for Nic Lidstrom, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season. It would great for Lidstrom to go out on top.
The Coyotes played the Red Wings tough last season, but I think the Wings will get by them again.
Anaheim and Nashville meet in a 4-5 matchup. I like the Ducks in this one. I predict a sweep in this series.
I have always enjoyed the Ducks' gritty style of play, and Corey Perry is sure to light the lamp once or twice in this series.
So, there you have it. I like the Blackhawks over the Canucks, the Sharks over the Kings. the Red Wings over the Coyotes and the Ducks to beat the Predators in the first round.
I will update this as the playoffs go along.

A few NHL Predictions

Here are a couple hockey predictions as we wind toward the trade deadline and stretch run:
1) The Pacific division is tight 5 way race. I say the Phoenix Coyotes come out on top and get the 3 spot out west.
2) The Washington Capitals will make a splash move at the deadline, or at least they should. They look like a team that needs to shake things up a bit, I think they should make a move to try and catch the Tampa Bay Lightning.
3) The New Jersey Devils will come close, but not quite manage to climb back into the Stanley Cup playoffs. They are back to playing masterful shutdown swamp hockey, but they have won a ton of 1 goal games recently. The law of averages will dictate that they will lose a couple close games as well over the final 1/4 of the season.
4) The 4-5 matchup in the east looks like either Pens-Caps or Pens-Lightning. Either series would go to an entertaining 6 or 7 games.
5) As good as the Vancouver Canucks look right now, they will not make the SC Finals out of West. The good people of Vancouver will have to settle for another golf and rock climbing filled June in the most wonderful city on the planet.
6) The Flyers are odds on favorite to win it all, the only things that could derail them is a rash of injuries or, as always, their goaltending.

Frolik will shine with Hawks

The NHL trade deadline is still a few weeks away, but the Chicago Blackhawks got an early jump on the annual hockey swap-meet by dealing for Michael Frolik of the Florida Panthers. True, the Czech winger who was once dubbed "little Jagr", is having a down year numbers-wise and was recently buried in the Sun-Cats lineup, but make no mistake: this was a steal for the defending champs. Frolik has the speed, vision, and offensive instincts to be a great weapon on a front loaded team of skilled forwards like Chicago. Frolik is still quite a young player at 22 and already has two 20-goal seasons under his belt with room to grow. Coming to a team like the Blackhawks should be a jolt of energy to a young man who seems to have been playing this season in the doldrums. Playing on lines with guys like Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews can't hurt either. I think Frolik will find his time with those guys in Chi-town quite productive.