2007-08 NHL Thread...

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by marc

As a Flyers fan, I'm better off pulling for them to finish 6th than to win the damn divison, how sad is that?

Ridiculous that the Southeast winner is going to get a 3 seed.

Well, I'd actually like to have LGO's optimal format, but here would be mine:

1. Have North/South Conferences so as to diminish the disparity of travel time (let the expansion teams play together )
2. No divisions
3. 5 games against teams in your conference, 1 against teams in the other (85 games total)

Well, ok, I came up with that in 5 minutes, and it would require more tinkering. If I really had to be more realistic, here's what I'd think. First, the problem is that teams competing for the same playoff spots don't face the same competition - it makes little sense to have divisions if different divisions are joined in the standings anyway. If you really want to make the divisions matter, make them separate in rankings - for example, you could have 2 divisions per league, and have each division have its top 4 teams make the playoffs, and don't mix them until you have to. Or, you can abolish divisions entirely, which I think could be sensible, although I'm not sure the West would like that. Basically, the problem with the division champs being top seeds is a classic case of two wrongs not making a right, it's an attempt to fix a flaw that only flaws it even more.

Finally, if the NHL really wants to keep a team from each division in the playoff, here's my compromise: if the division champ is 5th in the standings, then let them 5th for the playoffs instead of putting them 3rd. If they're ranked 8th, then put them 8th instead of 3rd. But, if they're 10th, put them 8th instead of 3rd. Basically, rank them where they belong, and since you absolutely want them in the playoffs, at worst put them 8th, not 3rd. It's unfair to teams finishing 4th and 5th. Let's pretend Shutdown's rankings are the final ones. Don't you think New Jersey gets shafted, having to play the 2nd best team in the league, while Buffalo, who performed worse, gets to play the 10th team in the league? What if, on the final game of the season, a team is better off losing because they'd face Washington or Carolina instead of, say, Montréal? My problem with the current system is not only an undeserving team making the playoffs and having to play a poor opponent, it's also very unfair to the team finishing 5th, especially compared to the team finishing 6th.

[Mad Bomber]

Originally Posted by Zoso1515

Meh, even given their first round struggles, they have been the class of the NHL for almost 15 years now and show no signs of slowing down.

As a lifelong Wings fan I'm hoping for better things this year in the playoffs, as after seeing them in the finals a couple of times as a kid, I suffered through 17 years of misery having missed the playoffs 15 times, and as far as the Jackets are concerned perhaps they are suffering from Doug MacLean
(My Cousin) hangover.

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by Kekkonen

but Jesus I hate J. Ruutu.

That's only because you are soft and lack some real perkele

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Detroit roll into Toronto on Saturday and I'm calling it - Sundin will leave with the Red Wings.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

Detroit roll into Toronto on Saturday and I'm calling it - Sundin will leave with the Red Wings.

What will they give up for him?

I think Hossa is likelier to get traded than Sundin.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

What will they give up for him?

Winger Jan Mursak and a pick

[Muppetus Galacticus]

As for Hossa I really don't see him leaving at the deadline as a sure thing. I think unless they get good return that keeps them in the hunt then they will just hang on and trade him in the Summer.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

As for Hossa I really don't see him leaving at the deadline as a sure thing. I think unless they get good return that keeps them in the hunt then they will just hang on and trade him in the Summer.

Unless RDS has misinformed me for a while, Hossa's an UFA at the end of the season.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

Unless RDS has misinformed me for a while, Hossa's an UFA at the end of the season.

So were Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen and they were traded in June

[bababui]

Where is Ben Thatcher going??

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by bababui

Where is Ben Thatcher going??

Kings suck.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

Kings suck.

I dislike monarchies as well.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

So were Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen and they were traded in June

I don't know what happened there, but I don't see why the Thrashers would wait until the end of the season to trade Hossa - If I was, say, the Canadien (Don Wadell and Bob Gainey have been talking in recent days), assuming Hossa sign, I'd offer more to have him for the rest of the year than not.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

I don't know what happened there, but I don't see why the Thrashers would wait until the end of the season to trade Hossa - If I was, say, the Canadien (Don Wadell and Bob Gainey have been talking in recent days), assuming Hossa sign, I'd offer more to have him for the rest of the year than not.

Because Atlanta is certainly not out of it right now and they will want to stay in contention of a playoff spot. They can either keep Hossa down the stretch or trade him for a player or two that keeps them in the hunt. Who would Montreal give up from their roster?

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

Because Atlanta is certainly not out of it right now and they will want to stay in contention of a playoff spot. They can either keep Hossa down the stretch or trade him for a player or two that keeps them in the hunt. Who would Montreal give up from their roster?

There is also no guarantee that the Thrashers will be able to trade Hossa at the end of the season - Timmonen and Hartnell are the exception, not the rule. Other than these 2, I can't think if a single guy that got traded after the season, prior to becoming a free agent, and re-signed with his new team.

As for players on Montréal's roster, well, I don't know. Ryder and Dandenault are clearly available, a guy like Halak might be available. But, you know, for Hossa, a lot of players become available.

[jbergey22]

Whats the outlook on the Minnesota Wild hockey gurus? I like playoff hockey but dont really pay much attention until then plus I dont know enough nor pay enough attention to hockey to be able to tell if the outlook is good for the only team I care much about in the sport.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

There is also no guarantee that the Thrashers will be able to trade Hossa at the end of the season - Timmonen and Hartnell are the exception, not the rule. Other than these 2, I can't think if a single guy that got traded after the season, prior to becoming a free agent, and re-signed with his new team.

My point is is that is another option for Atlanta

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Whats the outlook on the Minnesota Wild hockey gurus? I like playoff hockey but dont really pay much attention until then plus I dont know enough nor pay enough attention to hockey to be able to tell if the outlook is good for the only team I care much about in the sport.

The Wild are top of the Northwest division with a game in hand and 3rd in the Conference. If the playoffs were to start today then they would face division rival Calgary Flames in the first round. Gaborik is the star and of course leads the team in goals, assists and points. The goaltending tandem of Backstrom and Harding have put up good numbers and have 30 wins combined.

They are certainly playoff bound

[Kekkonen]

Teemu is back. 0+1 in his first game.

I know it's sort of sad, but I hope he keeps playing until 2010. I don't see the Finnish olympic team getting a new sniper anytime soon, so we'd be better off with the old one. Even if he's 39.

[Long_Long_Name]

Yikes. Finland indeed seems to have a hard time replenishing itself. Selanne's old, (Older) Koivu's over the hill, Lehtinen too, and Numminen's as old as they come. Mikko might be able to replace his brother Saku, but that seems to be the exception.

[Kekkonen]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

Yikes. Finland indeed seems to have a hard time replenishing itself. Selanne's old, (Older) Koivu's over the hill, Lehtinen too, and Numminen's as old as they come. Mikko might be able to replace his brother Saku, but that seems to be the exception.

We're getting enough goaltending to fill several teams and the defense while not great, doesn't look horrible, but for some reason it seems like all the upcoming FWs are grinders. Everybody's got at least adequate skating skills, good work ethic, and hands of stone.