Too complicated - hard to care about positioning on, say, March 5 when there are so many potential first-round match-ups. Now, it's finish first and play Nashville, Colorado or Minnesota; finish second or third and play Dallas or St. Louis. Current plan creates more play-off anticipation.

Your plan doesn't promote rivalries, which creates more play-off interest: a first round series against a division rival certainly creates more interest than one against some Eastern team that you know very little about.
- StLBravesFan

Not a fan of the current system either myself. If season ended today, the 2nd and 3rd best teams by points (Dallas/st Louis) would play in the first round. Shouldn't matter what division your team is in. Meanwhile the Kings get the Preds and Ducks get the Pacific division version of the Blues (sharks). Seed teams by conference standings and re-seed after each round.

All good points but I for one are tired of the same old match ups...year in and year out and as time goes on they become even more boring for the fans.

It will never happen but I still like it better than what we have.
- Colbyboy

Now, Colby - the Hawks have faced 3 different teams in the SC Final - 4, if the get there this year against the Caps.

That's enuf variety for me.

Not a fan of the current system either myself. If season ended today, the 2nd and 3rd best teams by points (Dallas/st Louis) would play in the first round. Shouldn't matter what division your team is in. Meanwhile the Kings get the Preds and Ducks get the western conference version of the Blues (sharks). Seed teams by conference standings and re-seed after each round.
- Assman22

Yes, please.

Forced division match ups mean a high seed will frequently be eliminated in the first round. Sucks.

Yes, please.

Forced division match ups mean a high seed will frequently be eliminated in the first round. Sucks.
- MartiniMan

I don`t find it complicated at all. I also don`t find it entertaining to be playing Minnie and the Blues .....year after year. I see the Eastern Teams all the time....I live in the East. Don`t see what is so dull about a series against the Penquins or the Rangers or Florida. I see the different match ups as compelling entertainment.

And in my system better chance the last 2 teams standing are the 2 Best. Not so in the West East system.

Just sayin.

Yes, please.

Forced division match ups mean a high seed will frequently be eliminated in the first round. Sucks.
- MartiniMan

Luck of the draw.

You've got 6 teams (out of 8 in the Western section of the tournament) that would shock no one by getting to the WCF - the math says two of them have to go out in the first round.

It's a parity league.

I don`t find it complicated at all. I also don`t find it entertaining to be playing Minnie and the Blues .....year after year. I see the Eastern Teams all the time....I live in the East. Don`t see what is so dull about a series against the Penquins or the Rangers or Florida. I see the different match ups as compelling entertainment.

And in my system better chance the last 2 teams standing are the 2 Best. Not so in the West East system.

Just sayin.
- Colbyboy

What doesn't help in the WC is it's been the same teams up top every year for awhile. The WC Canadian teams have been bad for a long time. In fact, this year will likely feature zero teams from Canada! Habs, Leafs, and Sens all on the outside looking in out East. When's the last time that happened?

Luck of the draw.

You've got 6 teams (out of 8 in the Western section of the tournament) that would shock no one by getting to the WCF - the math says two of them have to go out in the first round.

It's a parity league.
- StLBravesFan

6? 3-4 max. STL, SJ, Nash, Minn are pretenders. Dallas has a blue line problem. Anaheim and Dallas are maybes and the other two are Chi/LA.

What doesn't help in the WC is it's been the same teams up top every year for awhile. The WC Canadian teams have been bad for a long time. In fact, this year will likely feature zero teams from Canada! Habs, Leafs, and Sens all on the outside looking in out East. When's the last time that happened?
- Assman22

1970.

I meant to include in my page long post a page back.
Christian Ehrhoff

I wasn't looking for a fail, but I just remembered all the times with the canuck that when you catch him on the wall he loses it and had troubles when he was attacked in transition. I saw none of that so far.

Which begs the question:

Does StanBo ever acquire deadline defenders who are defensive oriented?

Past practice seems to say hardly....
Kimmo Timonen

David Rundblad
not really in Chris Campoli (late February I believe)
not necessarily maybe Nick Boynton

Johnny Oduya (late February I believe)
not necessarily Nick Boynton
Kim Johnsson <--- the real rental prize they were hoping he would fill
Nick Leddy

well,
certainly looks like Ehrhoff is going to fit the attack, and add an option at PP....

It's all about the run and gun sandwiched, around the globetrottin'...

Bringing the boy to watch practice on Monday. How crowded does it get over there on a Monday? Not sure how many kids are off, but one of mine is (we're in the far northern burbs), and since he just started hockey, figure this would be fun for the both of us to see the big boys practice.

Bringing the boy to watch practice on Monday. How crowded does it get over there on a Monday? Not sure how many kids are off, but one of mine is (we're in the far northern burbs), and since he just started hockey, figure this would be fun for the both of us to see the big boys practice.
- howiehandles

good idea!

It leaves a long impression...they may be here posting 55 plus years from now, lol!

6? 3-4 max. STL, SJ, Nash, Minn are pretenders. Dallas has a blue line problem. Anaheim and Dallas are maybes and the other two are Chi/LA.
- Assman22

I'd put Anaheim in the yes category at this point. They've been rolling since Christmas, and are built for the playoffs. That being said, they'll need to go through SJ and LA. SJ, who I'm surprised didn't really do anything at the deadline, and L.A. is L.A.. We all know what they bring to the table. I think SJ is going to be a tough out, but I want L.A./Anaheim, so they kill each other. 7 games, all triple overtime. I wouldn't want a team like Nashville in the first round, especially if Rinne plays like he can. They've always been a pain in the keister. Blues won't be fun either. I'm curious to see how Dallas plays when playoff hockey slows down their track meet offense.

good idea!

It leaves a long impression...they may be here posting 55 plus years from now, lol!
- wiz1901

I'm as anxious to go as he is to be honest. I want to enjoy this run as long as possible.

Plus, I need some city food in me. Moved up north after spending the first 36 of my life on the far nwside, and need some city grub.

Hossa still not practicing today..No Mashinter either..

Hossa still not practicing today..No Mashinter either..
- Glenman12

Oh man...get well soon, Hoss!

Oh man...get well soon, Hoss!
- 35Tony0

Rest up, be ready for playoffs. Come back with 5 games or so to go.

Rested Hossa is a productive, fast, and strong Hossa.

Even though I think this year's Hawks are as good as some of the teams in previous years this will be the hardest year for them to win. Ducks Kings will be very tough n I got a bad feeling about the Blues this year for some reason

Even though I think this year's Hawks are as good as some of the teams in previous years this will be the hardest year for them to win. Ducks Kings will be very tough n I got a bad feeling about the Blues this year for some reason
- HamiltonHawk

Blues' goaltending will not hold up. Like last year. And the year before that....

They aren't the stifling defensive team they've been in years past either.

Bringing the boy to watch practice on Monday. How crowded does it get over there on a Monday? Not sure how many kids are off, but one of mine is (we're in the far northern burbs), and since he just started hockey, figure this would be fun for the both of us to see the big boys practice.
- howiehandles

Got there on a Friday about 15-20 min prior to the start of practice and there were still spots along the wall at ice level. Couldn't see the stands above, but it sounded pretty full. If you don't want to have to park in the field across the street, I'd recommend getting there at least 1/2 hour early. We saw a couple of pee wee teams finishing when we arrived.

ETA: Check before you go - we got there another Friday to find out it had been abruptly cancelled. Was after a bad loss, so I imagine Q wanted to yell in peace and not scare the kiddies.

Hossa still not practicing today..No Mashinter either..
- Glenman12

most likely back vs the blues on wed

Blues' goaltending will not hold up. Like last year. And the year before that....

They aren't the stifling defensive team they've been in years past either.
- MartiniMan

If defense wins playoff series, LA and Anaheim will both be tough to get past. Both have decent goaltending, but rely less on it to win than the Hawks do.

Marian Hossa out tomorrow, but will go on the trip to St. Louis and Dallas. Q is "hopeful" that Hossa can play Wednesday. #Blackhawks

Marian Hossa out tomorrow, but will go on the trip to St. Louis and Dallas. Q is "hopeful" that Hossa can play Wednesday. #Blackhawks

On the one hand I agree with you, but for Garbutt to hit OEL like that with 2 1/2 minutes left in a 4-1 game they were trailing, I kinda understand why a couple of Coyotes were pissed at that hit.

How would you like it if someone leveled Keith like that in the same situation?
- MartiniMan

I wasn't paying attention to the time in the game, but just the hit. Thought the hit was fine, but at that point in a game which was already decided, it makes sense why Domi would do what he did. Based on that evidence, I would agree with you.

Got there on a Friday about 15-20 min prior to the start of practice and there were still spots along the wall at ice level. Couldn't see the stands above, but it sounded pretty full. If you don't want to have to park in the field across the street, I'd recommend getting there at least 1/2 hour early. We saw a couple of pee wee teams finishing when we arrived.

ETA: Check before you go - we got there another Friday to find out it had been abruptly cancelled. Was after a bad loss, so I imagine Q wanted to yell in peace and not scare the kiddies.
- pdx2ord

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely call, and get there way early. I'm off Mondays, so not much else planned, and gives me an excuse to get some city time in.