NHL's realignment now that Canada gets a Eastern team?

[V-Type]

Well since quite a few here follow Hockey I was wondering who you think should get the vacant East spot.
Here in Detroit we feel it makes sense for us because frankly we arent anywhere near West.
Plus the East could use the cred the Wings bring as well as getting back too the old school match ups rather than seeing all the Western Expansion clubs and all the nutty travel involved.
So whats the TGP meter say?

[relix63]

Is the Winnepeg move a done deal? If so, Detroit or Chicago should go Esat.

[TB72]

Well, it won't change until the 2012/2013 season. Winnipeg will be in the east next season.

I've heard of various scenarios for the re-alignment. Detroit, Columbus, and Nashville have all come up as potentially moving east.

I'd personally love to see Detroit in the east. They'd come to my rink more than once every two years.

Later...

[V-Type]

Frankly Id love too see the NY teams and Toronto a lot more as well as Washington ,Boston,NJ and Pittsburgh.
Im sick of the travel and night games associated with Phoenix and the West coast.
Chicago would at least have the 1 hour closer too west time advantage.
Also when the Wings realigned way back for the West it was supposed too be temporary.

[Scott Peterson]

Detroit should move to the East. Chicago is in the Central Time zone. Detroit is in the Eastern Time zone. The other clubs in the Western Conference will hem and haw because the Red Wings guarantee 2-3 good gates a season for sure for their team. It is not incumbent upon Detroit, IMHO, to prop up other team's gate receipts.

That and the *fact* that I am SICK of staying up till 10:30p on weeknights to watch the Red Wings play when they are on western swing away games. I freaking *hate* it.

/rant. :D

[Sandy Cheeks]

Next, Quebec City?

[V-Type]

Next, Quebec City?
Or Hamilton.

[V-Type]

Detroit should move to the East. Chicago is in the Central Time zone. Detroit is in the Eastern Time zone. The other clubs in the Western Conference will hem and haw because the Red Wings guarantee 2-3 good gates a season for sure for their team. It is not incumbent upon Detroit, IMHO, to prop up other team's gate receipts.

That and the *fact* that I am SICK of staying up till 10:30p on weeknights to watch the Red Wings play when they are on western swing away games. I freaking *hate* it.

/rant. :D
You and I think a lot alike. About Hockey that is.
:aok

[relix63]

Or Hamilton.

I'm sure how well Winnipeg does this time will have a major impact on other possible teams in Canada.

What the NHL needs is a legitimate national TV partner in the US. Games 3 & 4 of the finals are on Versus. Take less money, get on ESPN, and at least have a chance that someone can see the games.

[relix63]

I'd also like to see the Habs & Leafs play. No more Pittsburgh or Washington.

[Stratobuc]

Detroit and Winnipeg (Atlanta) swap division positions. This makes way too much sense, so Bettman and his minions will probably never approve....

[Stratobuc]

I'd also like to see the Habs & Leafs play. No more Pittsburgh or Washington.


Does Crosby or Ovechkin play for either of those teams you want to see play?

[relix63]

Does Crosby or Ovechkin play for either of those teams you want to see play?

That is the problem. I don't mind Crosby & Ovechkin but I'm sure there are a couple of other skilled players in the NHL as well. From a marketing prospective I get it - sell the stars. Short sighted if you ask me.

[Peteyvee]

You guys can have one of ours. For the life of me, I can't figure why the greater Los Angeles area has two hockey teams and not one NFL team...Well, I can but it doesn't make any sense.

FWIW: I'd go with Detroit moving to the Eastern Division. That makes sense...

[Tom Gross]

Detroit makes a lot of sense.

It'd be cool if Chicago could go too - get the original 6 all in the East - but there's no other one to really swap places.

[dohootowl]

Detroit should move to the East. Chicago is in the Central Time zone. Detroit is in the Eastern Time zone. The other clubs in the Western Conference will hem and haw because the Red Wings guarantee 2-3 good gates a season for sure for their team. It is not incumbent upon Detroit, IMHO, to prop up other team's gate receipts.

That and the *fact* that I am SICK of staying up till 10:30p on weeknights to watch the Red Wings play when they are on western swing away games. I freaking *hate* it.

/rant. :D

Wah, wah, wah---:)

I just wish the NHL didn't have so many teams. I think more than any other professional sport, the talent in hockey is diluted because of all the expansion teams. I'm glad for Winnipeg. Canada deserves pro hockey all across the country. The South? Not so much--except for the Stars (I'm a homer).

[CowTipton]

You can't have the Wings. They belong in the Central with the Blackhawks and Blues.

You're getting Columbus and you'll like it. ;)
(it's further east anyway)

[VicAjax]

The bigger question is: Why are pro sport commissioners invariably short-sighted douchebags?

[Sandy Cheeks]

Before the Thrashers' deal was announced, Gary Bettman was the most hated man in Canada. Osama dreamed of being as hated as Bettman.

[supa-fuzz]

Thrashers should change their name to the Jets!

[cram]

if the wings come to the east... that would suck. the balance would be off in terms of dominant teams. detriot has been asking for this for years. partly because of the timezone alignment, but that means that historically great teams or at least teams that have had competitive seasons would all be stacked in the same division. flyers, b's, habs, penguins... I hope at least they end up in the atlantic division, which is where they will.

but hey, they'd get that competition too.

[cram]

Before the Thrashers' deal was announced, Gary Bettman was the most hated man in Canada. Osama dreamed of being as hated as Bettman.

You speak the truth. I've heard some recent banter about this cat.. not well liked...

[monty]

<insert my usual Buttman hate rant)

[57special]

If Detroit moves East, then the Wild will move from the west with Chicago/St.Louis , and Winnipeg will play the western Canadian teams. Makes all kinds of sense.

[DucRyder]

Detroit deserves it... We have seniority. For you guys talking about playing Crosby, you sure his career isn't over/permanently damaged with this concussion? Lindross anyone?

[russiancrowe]

I'd also love to see the Wings go to the east and I know they want to. From a lot of things I've heard/read though it wont happen. The main reason I've heard is that Wings owner Mike Illich isn't a Bettman "yes" man. As much as I'd love the Wings to be in the east, I think Columbus or Nashville will end up being moved.

I also agree with a previous poster about there being too many teams in the league. I would be happy to see 4 to 6 teams cut from the league. It will never happen because of all the jobs that would be lost, but the hockey would be much better because the players on the fringe of being NHL/AHL talent would be out of the league. The guys who play 4 minutes a game and end up with 15 penalty minutes are a waste of payroll in my opinion. Gordie Howe never needed an enforcer to stand up for him.

I also think the ice size should be increased to international sizes. That would also help the skilled players and make the goons obsolete. Not that I don't like to see fights, but players that are on the roster only to fight don't need to be in the NHL. Let the stars fight for themselves.

[Sandy Cheeks]

Gordie Howe never needed an enforcer to stand up for him.

I'd rather see bigger, international-sized rinks. With the bigger guy playing today, the rinks are too small and it just encourages thugs as players.

[russiancrowe]

I'm sure how well Winnipeg does this time will have a major impact on other possible teams in Canada.

What the NHL needs is a legitimate national TV partner in the US. Games 3 & 4 of the finals are on Versus. Take less money, get on ESPN, and at least have a chance that someone can see the games.

That wont happen for at least 10 years now, the ESPN part. The NHL announced before the playoffs started that they had signed a new 10 year deal with NBC/Versus. Versus will also be changing it's name to something with NBC in it sometime this summer. There will be more regular season games on NBC starting next season and Versus, or whatever they will be called, will also broadcast more games per week. I'm pretty sure part of the deal was that Versus would be available pretty much everywhere starting next season.

[djem]

Or Hamilton.

Yeah right.....lol.

Sure we have a loyal fanbase (Hamilton Bulldogs - Montreal Candiens farm team), but an NHL franchise so close to Buffalo and Toronto is questionable.

Keep in mind that the local pop is ~ 550,000.

[57special]

Yeah right.....lol.

Sure we have a loyal fanbase (Hamilton Bulldogs - Montreal Candiens farm team), but an NHL franchise so close to Buffalo and Toronto is questionable.

Keep in mind that the local pop is ~ 550,000.

Wrong.

Hamilton is 1/2 hour drive from Metro TO (5.5 Million) and less than hour from the smaller, but still significant populations of St Catherine, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph,etc., plus a horde of smaller places that all have a history of rabid and large hockey fan bases. A place like Winnipeg, while a larger city on paper than Hamilton, actually has a far smaller potential fan base.

[Sandy Cheeks]

Wrong.

Hamilton is 1/2 hour drive from Metro TO (5.5 Million) and less than hour from the smaller, but still significant populations of St Catherine, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph,etc., plus a horde of smaller places that all have a history of rabid and large hockey fan bases. A place like Winnipeg, while a larger city on paper than Hamilton, actually has a far smaller potential fan base.

I think plenty of Leafs fans are looking for the opportunity to switch allegiance.

[djem]

Wrong.

Hamilton is 1/2 hour drive from Metro TO (5.5 Million) and less than hour from the smaller, but still significant populations of St Catherine, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph,etc., plus a horde of smaller places that all have a history of rabid and large hockey fan bases. A place like Winnipeg, while a larger city on paper than Hamilton, actually has a far smaller potential fan base.

Lol.

You live in MN. I live in Ontario. Actually right in between TO and Hamilton.

Driving time between downtown TO and Hamilton will run you close to an hour. Keep in mind that the QEW is congested everyday westbound to Hamilton past 7 pm and driving time will be over 1.5 hours.

Sure you can Google it and argue the driving time, but I live and drive it every day.

Hamilton has tried many times for the franchise and it's very unlikely they will get it. Demographics, NHL politics, proximity to Buffalo and TO all play into this. Bottom line is that Hamilton doesn't have what it takes to sustain a viable NHL franchise.

[relix63]

That wont happen for at least 10 years now, the ESPN part. The NHL announced before the playoffs started that they had signed a new 10 year deal with NBC/Versus. Versus will also be changing it's name to something with NBC in it sometime this summer. There will be more regular season games on NBC starting next season and Versus, or whatever they will be called, will also broadcast more games per week. I'm pretty sure part of the deal was that Versus would be available pretty much everywhere starting next season.


I missed that. Maybe I'll get Versus sometime in the near future. I buy the NHL Center Ice package to watch the Canadians but I'd prefer to see more games without paying extra.

[paranoid70]

I don't really care as long as the Kings stay put.... Canada can have the Ducks. :)

[sears]

Bottom line is that Hamilton doesn't have what it takes to sustain a viable NHL franchise.

which makes them the perfect place to put an NHL team

[joeburke]

which makes them the perfect place to put an NHL team

At least while Bettman's in charge...

Is Nashville further east than Detroit? I'd love to have the Wings in the east so I can see them play the B's more than once a year.

[joeburke]

Congrats to Winnipeg too, btw. Think they'll go back to being the Jets?

[57special]

Lol.

You live in MN. I live in Ontario. Actually right in between TO and Hamilton.

Driving time between downtown TO and Hamilton will run you close to an hour. Keep in mind that the QEW is congested everyday westbound to Hamilton past 7 pm and driving time will be over 1.5 hours.

Sure you can Google it and argue the driving time, but I live and drive it every day.

Hamilton has tried many times for the franchise and it's very unlikely they will get it. Demographics, NHL politics, proximity to Buffalo and TO all play into this. Bottom line is that Hamilton doesn't have what it takes to sustain a viable NHL franchise.

But i haven't always lived in MN.
Lived in Hamilton for 8 years, and TO for 17. My parents were born and brought up in southern Ontario, and i still have family there. Commuted to downtown eastside every day from central Hamilton . Took me 45 minutes, albeit early in the morning. Driving to Copps for a night or weekday game(no rush hour) from the center of town would be no more than hour, less from the western suburbs (Mississauga, Etobicoke,etc.) and far less from Burlington, Oakville, etc.. As i posted earlier, there are a multitude of fans in the smaller cities and towns surrounding Hamilton.

Bottom line is that Hamilton franchise would never want for fans. In the late 80's they got 10,000 fans plunking down $$ for seasons tickets in 48 hours for the potential franchise. Ottawa took forever to get 5,000, and FLA far less.

Whether or not Buffalo or TO would allow another franchise is another story. I think TO might be OK with it, but not Buffalo. I don't get why the NHL can have 3 franchises in the NY area, but not 2 in TO. I know that TO and area has a smaller population, but I would bet you that they have a larger hockey fan population than greater NYC.

[GoTonyGo]

I think that this situation would be a good time to re-align the entire league. Need to keep rivalries alive and return some of the older ones. Being a Flyers fan, I would rather see some sad sack team moved east to make it a little easier. Columbus would be a great start! Winnapeg in the East, only for one season, is going to be a nightmare travel situation anyway.

[Strat-Mangler]

Yeah right.....lol.

Sure we have a loyal fanbase (Hamilton Bulldogs - Montreal Candiens farm team), but an NHL franchise so close to Buffalo and Toronto is questionable.

Keep in mind that the local pop is ~ 550,000.
Winnipeg with 750 000 becomes automatically the NHL's smallest market.

The NHL will never approve the transfer of a franchise to a market 200 000 people smaller than that. You can bet the house on it.

Hamilton will never see a team, period. Quebec City is way more realistic, although its population is close in numbers to Winnipeg, too.

I think plenty of Leafs fans are looking for the opportunity to switch allegiance.
That's what the Senators are for. ;)

I think that this situation would be a good time to re-align the entire league. Need to keep rivalries alive and return some of the older ones. Being a Flyers fan, I would rather see some sad sack team moved east to make it a little easier. Columbus would be a great start! Winnapeg in the East, only for one season, is going to be a nightmare travel situation anyway.
I agree with the 1st sentence.

Winnipeg will be the team to travel the most during the whole season and on a regular basis. The players will therefore be more tired throughout the season than their adversaries.

I expect the 1st season to be dismal if only because of that. I hope I'm wrong.

[JimmyB]

But i haven't always lived in MN.
Lived in Hamilton for 8 years, and TO for 17. My parents were born and brought up in southern Ontario, and i still have family there. Commuted to downtown eastside every day from central Hamilton . Took me 45 minutes, albeit early in the morning. Driving to Copps for a night or weekday game(no rush hour) from the center of town would be no more than hour, less from the western suburbs (Mississauga, Etobicoke,etc.) and far less from Burlington, Oakville, etc.. As i posted earlier, there are a multitude of fans in the smaller cities and towns surrounding Hamilton.
Sorry, but you must have lived in the area a while ago, 'cause traffic these days makes that impossible for potential weeknight games, as djem pointed out. Mind you, your times might be accurate in describing travel via helicopter! ;)

Bottom line is that Hamilton franchise would never want for fans. In the late 80's they got 10,000 fans plunking down $$ for seasons tickets in 48 hours for the potential franchise. Ottawa took forever to get 5,000, and FLA far less.
It was '90, not the '80s. I know: I was one of the hopeless hopeful who phoned in a pair of $100 deposits!

[Snowdog]

Having recently moved to Nashville, I have to tell you - I was blown away by the fan support for the Preds. Seriously, there are a LOT of hockey fans down here. I thought it would be quite the opposite.

Although I wouldn't mind having the Preds move to the East (that way I could see a bunch of Caps games here :) ) I have to agree with the Detroit shift. I think a lot of teams in the East would benefit from playing that class organization on a regular basis.

[joeburke]

According to the NHL network this morning, Winnipeg reached it's goal of 13,000 season tickets in 3 days of pre-sale and 4 minutes of on-sale.

[Z_Zoquis]

Yeah it was pretty nuts. They sold more than 7,000 season tix in the 3 day presale which was only open to previous Manitoba Moose season ticket holders and corporate clients. Then, the general sale went live at noon saturday and they were sold out 17 minutes later. Theres also a waiting list of 8,000 for any tickets that might become available...and the season tickets are a 3-5 yr commitment.

I'm pretty excited myself. I haven't really followed hockey since the Jets left so it'll be fun having a big league to follow.

[V-Type]

Im thrilled Winnipeg is coming back too the Party.
Canadian teams were the butter on the bread too me.
I grew up on the old school teams and rivalries and is why Im so set on Detroit going East.
The Jets if in fact they revive the name(God I hope so) will have some serious
talent wanting too go there and bring the noise back too Canada imo.
My hockey dream is Detroit in the East and seeing the NY,Boston,NJ,Montreal,etc... teams a lot more and series play and playoffs that dont Always involve 3-4 hours of time differences.
Its not fair that most of the West teams count on the Wings too bring their gates up and holds a long storied and highly regarded Central/Eastern team too such traveling standards.
I say put one of the newer kids on the block in the West for awhile and let the road trips harden them up a bit.
Fair is fair imo.

[57special]

Bfuglyien (I know i've butchered the name) is from Roseau, MN which is small, hockey mad town up by the Manitoba border. I would guess they'll be pretty happy about this turn of events, and will be sending busloads of fans up there.

[Z_Zoquis]

At first I really wanted them to go with the Jets name too but now I've decided I'd rather they went with something new, and I'm partial to Manitoba Falcons myself.

[fracs]

As a Hawks fan, I just hope that they dont move the wings. Now with Chicago playing good hockey I love the rivalry between us and the wings. I would hate to see them leave and only get to play them once or twice. I love the idea of more teams going to Canada, but I have a question. I read somewhere that Atlanta was averaging around 13k in there arena. Now if thats true how can a team that can only house 14k make it??? Maybe what I heard was incorrect but if not I think Winnepeg will be destined to fail again or they will have to build a new arena.

[Z_Zoquis]

an avg of 13,000 in Atlanta is an extremely optimistic number. I doubt they were averaging more than 6,000 paid ticket holders...

also, the MTS centre in Winnipeg can seat 15,000 and is likely to be sold out every night for at least the next 3 years. If they are a reasonably competitive team they'll do fine. Plus, the ownership group actually has some money and owns the arena...

[JohnK24]

Columbus should move to the Eastern Conference...even the brain dead should see that, they are 3 hours from Pittsburgh. Screw Detroit and their "entitlement arrogance" they seem they can throw around at will. Or move Dallas or Nashville into the South East conference

Next up....move Florida Panthers to Canada or Hartford ??? Oh yeah, bring back the Whalers !

[V-Type]

Columbus should move to the Eastern Conference...even the brain dead should see that, they are 3 hours from Pittsburgh. Screw Detroit and their "entitlement arrogance" they seem they can throw around at will. Or move Dallas or Nashville into the South East conference

Next up....move Florida Panthers to Canada or Hartford ??? Oh yeah, bring back the Whalers !
Entitlement ?
Are you kidding?
Its what once was.
The original 6.
But hey if you all want sub par clubs by all means take Columbus.
And For the record The Wings were told that a realignment would put them back east and that was near 30 years ago so.
Yeah entitled isnt it so much as give back what Detroit Gave up.
I know you just hate that the Wings consistently busted your teams chops and dont feel bad a lot of clubs fans have the same wounds you do.:bounce

[JohnK24]

Entitlement ?
Are you kidding?
Its what once was.
The original 6.
But hey if you all want sub par clubs by all means take Columbus.
And For the record The Wings were told that a realignment would put them back east and that was near 30 years ago so.
Yeah entitled isnt it so much as give back what Detroit Gave up.
I know you just hate that the Wings consistently busted your teams chops and dont feel bad a lot of clubs fans have the same wounds you do.:bounce


No...my thoughts are simply the economics for C-bus...they are closer to all Eastern teams. Hell, help them out in the finance department and keep this team viable. I don't care about competition or "sub par teams" in the East (which is exactly the comment I would expect from a Red Wing's fan...again, the arrogance shows it's head)...I believe the East has stellar talent in terms of 6 teams or so. And the Red Wings have not consistently busted the Pensguin's chops...we've done damn fine against them since 2009 from what I recall...

Hey, whatever Bettman decides, we live with and play on.

Peace...and

LET'S GO BRUINS...cause I'm hating this shit seeing the Canucks and their weird ass twins win this series....

[57special]

As a Hawks fan, I just hope that they dont move the wings. Now with Chicago playing good hockey I love the rivalry between us and the wings. I would hate to see them leave and only get to play them once or twice. I love the idea of more teams going to Canada, but I have a question. I read somewhere that Atlanta was averaging around 13k in there arena. Now if thats true how can a team that can only house 14k make it??? Maybe what I heard was incorrect but if not I think Winnepeg will be destined to fail again or they will have to build a new arena.

Winnipeg would take the Wild's place, and the Wild would move into
Chicago's division. Not the Wings, but certainly some history going back to the North Stars days and the possibility of a good rivalry.

[V-Type]

No...my thoughts are simply the economics for C-bus...they are closer to all Eastern teams. Hell, help them out in the finance department and keep this team viable. I don't care about competition or "sub par teams" in the East (which is exactly the comment I would expect from a Red Wing's fan...again, the arrogance shows it's head)...I believe the East has stellar talent in terms of 6 teams or so. And the Red Wings have not consistently busted the Pensguin's chops...we've done damn fine against them since 2009 from what I recall...

Hey, whatever Bettman decides, we live with and play on.

Peace...and

LET'S GO BRUINS...cause I'm hating this shit seeing the Canucks and their weird ass twins win this series....
Agree too disagree on the Wings East issue.
But sorry Pens fan but "since 09" is not a great argument for your "weve done damn fine" biased against the "arrogant" Red Wings.
You hate em good thats what rivalries are about but the entitlement and Arrogance thing is way off imo.
The Wings win and often because of work ethic and team and ownership Pride.
Cmon you should know that.
Btw how the heck is the 25 million dollar man Crosby doing?
I do want him back in your line up and hope his best days are Not past him.

[DucRyder]

someone is moving east though arent they.... gonna be interesting. Glad we'll have another Canadian team. Just seems kinda ridiculous to have hockey where theres never any snow, let alone a team in the desert. Guess I'm just a traditionalist at heart.

[fracs]

Winnipeg would take the Wild's place, and the Wild would move into
Chicago's division. Not the Wings, but certainly some history going back to the North Stars days and the possibility of a good rivalry.


Seeing if we could hash out a new rivalry with the new North Stars (I refuse to let the past go) would be fun. Now if they would just hire Ciccarelli so I could reallllly hate them would be fun!!!

[Strat-Mangler]

To whomever talked about being competitive with ticket prices, they won't be. 3rd highest (on average) in the league!

[Somniferous]

I hope it's the wings, sucks to watch games that run past midnight on the weekdays when they are on the west coast. Plus since I'm living in Boston, I'd love to see them play the Bruins more often.

[QRSS]

of the western conference teams playing home games in the EST....it should go by seniority. ask the longest standing organization if they would like the opportunity to move to the eastern conference. if they decline, on to the next senior team. i dont think nashville would qualify under those terms(EST). if there are no volunteers, you force the junior organization. the only "fair" way to do it.

RoFR