So 1-3 is division leaders still, 4-6 next best records, 7-8 wild card? Wild card like baseball?
- Flyersgod

If you look at the east, the top 3 in each of Divisions C & D will make it. Then next best records in the east take spots 7-8. So it's possible to have 5 teams make it from Division C or D.

I think adding Detroit to our division will make it tougher to get a playoff spot. Detroit will make the playoffs. Pittsburgh will make it. Boston will make it. Add Wash/Carolina for their division. (Not sure how the new format works with division leaders etc).

That leaves 4 playoff spots for the remaining teams. Columbus will fair a lot better in the East compared to the West. They would have been in the playoffs had they been in the East last year.
- Flyersgod

I guess we're lucky Detroit isn't in our division then I know what you mean, though. The new alignment has it set up so the 3 leaders of each division make the playoffs, and then the 2 teams from each conference with the next best records are the 2 wildcards. Meaning 1 division could send 5 teams, and 1 division could send 3 teams. We undoubtedly have the hardest division in hockey, though, and at the moment we have at least 5 teams that either frequent the playoffs or deserve to be in the playoffs now. I'd be more worried if I was a Washington or Carolina fan. They're going from playing Tampa and Florida to playing the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, and Devils. It's a real cause for concern for them.

So 1-3 is division leaders still, 4-6 next best records, 7-8 wild card? Wild card like baseball?
- Flyersgod

2 divisions. Top 3 from each division automatically get the top 6 in each conference (spot based on points.). Then best 2 4/5 teams in each division get the 7th/8th.

I guess we're lucky Detroit isn't in our division then I know what you mean, though. The new alignment has it set up so the 3 leaders of each division make the playoffs, and then the 2 teams from each conference with the next best records are the 2 wildcards. Meaning 1 division could send 5 teams, and 1 division could send 3 teams. We undoubtedly have the hardest division in hockey, though, and at the moment we have at least 5 teams that either frequent the playoffs or deserve to be in the playoffs now. I'd be more worried if I was a Washington or Carolina fan. They're going from playing Tampa and Florida to playing the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, and Devils. It's a real cause for concern for them.
- JAKEw1234

I really don't think Detroit is a lock any more. Same with Washington.

I think it's gonna be ALOT harder to make the playoffs out of the east then out of the west. It's why I'd like if there was some dependence on inter-conference play to make the playoffs. Like as I said before in a comment board a while ago, there should be inter-conference sister divisions. You play teams in this division 5 times a year.
- JAKEw1234

the divisions seemed designed to accommodate an expansion, which would be a joke.

the divisions seemed designed to accommodate an expansion, which would be a joke.
- isaiah520

Or relocation.

between those additions to the east and improving squads in TOR and NYI, it will not be an automatic for the plyoffs.
- isaiah520

I agree. Teams that might make a big move forward this year are Ottawa, Toronto and the Islanders. Also expect Rangers to have some improvement. Washinton holds on at about the same place. Columbus looks like a very nice team. Detroit is old, small and is going to struggle against big eastern teams. I think Pittsburgh holds on from last year. Boston slides. Buffalo wins the lottery. Both Florida teams and Carolina stay in the development phase. NJ struggles,

Of the non playoff teams from last year I think Philadelphia moves up, primarily just by having a good start to the season. Columbus will also be in the mix for a playoff spot.

The two teams at greatest risk of missing the playoffs from last year are Montreal, everybody will now play them the way Ottawa did in the playoffs and Boston. All Stanley Cup finalists slide the year after and Boston just looks a lot less after their spring cleaning this year.

Flyers will be fine.

the divisions seemed designed to accommodate an expansion, which would be a joke.
- isaiah520

Agreed. 4 divisions only work when the #/teams i divisible by 4. You could always just contract Florida and Fla and move Columbus to their division. Makes more sense, but that won't happen.

Or relocation
- Tartan69

Relocation just means there's still unevenly weighted divisions.

I guess we're lucky Detroit isn't in our division then I know what you mean, though. The new alignment has it set up so the 3 leaders of each division make the playoffs, and then the 2 teams from each conference with the next best records are the 2 wildcards. Meaning 1 division could send 5 teams, and 1 division could send 3 teams. We undoubtedly have the hardest division in hockey, though, and at the moment we have at least 5 teams that either frequent the playoffs or deserve to be in the playoffs now. I'd be more worried if I was a Washington or Carolina fan. They're going from playing Tampa and Florida to playing the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, and Devils. It's a real cause for concern for them.
- JAKEw1234

I can't wait until the 6th best team in a division can't get in because only 5 are allowed. That will be a fun day.

I can't wait until the 6th best team in a division can't get in because only 5 are allowed. That will be a fun day.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's not all that different from a team (Washington in 07/08 I think) getting a 3 seed despite the fact that they have a worse record that some non-playoff teams.

Or relocation.
- Tartan69

I think PHX was most likely to be relocated and now they're solidified where they are for the next 5 years. Methinks there'd be an expansion if we added teams. Seattle and _______?

I agree. Teams that might make a big move forward this year are Ottawa, Toronto and the Islanders. Also expect Rangers to have some improvement. Washinton holds on at about the same place. Columbus looks like a very nice team. Detroit is old, small and is going to struggle against big eastern teams. I think Pittsburgh holds on from last year. Boston slides. Buffalo wins the lottery. Both Florida teams and Carolina stay in the development phase. NJ struggles,

Of the non playoff teams from last year I think Philadelphia moves up, primarily just by having a good start to the season. Columbus will also be in the mix for a playoff spot.

The two teams at greatest risk of missing the playoffs from last year are Montreal, everybody will now play them the way Ottawa did in the playoffs and Boston. All Stanley Cup finalists slide the year after and Boston just looks a lot less after their spring cleaning this year.

Flyers will be fine.
- spatso

if they had a top pairing dman in his prime, they'd be a cup contender

Agreed. 4 divisions only work when the #/teams i divisible by 4. You could always just contract Florida and Fla and move Columbus to their division. Makes more sense, but that won't happen.
- jmatchett383

Have any of the 4 major sports ever experienced contraction?

I think PHX was most likely to be relocated and now they're solidified where they are for the next 5 years. Methinks there'd be an expansion if we added teams. Seattle and _______?
- JAKEw1234

Kansas City? Las Vegas?

I think PHX was most likely to be relocated and now they're solidified where they are for the next 5 years. Methinks there'd be an expansion if we added teams. Seattle and _______?
- JAKEw1234

quebec

It's not all that different from a team (Washington in 07/08 I think) getting a 3 seed despite the fact that they have a worse record that some non-playoff teams.
- jmatchett383

But at least they "won" their division. A bad 3rd place team will get in simply because they are in the right division. It won't be a common occurrence, but it will still happen at some point.

Anyone know the schedule break down? How often we play teams from our division, conference and western conference?

Have any of the 4 major sports ever experienced contraction?
- PhillySportsGuy

I think MLB has. Also, I think the Golden Seals folded.

I have never wanted the Trade Deadline to get here this soon into a(n) (off)season before.
- Flyskippy

I might be in the minority, but I feel Coots and Schenn are moveable parts in the right deal.

I fear that we may have overvalued both of them. I don't know for sure obviously, its just a fear of mine.

Kansas City? Las Vegas?
- jmatchett383

I think the ice would melt in Vegas

I can't wait until the 6th best team in a division can't get in because only 5 are allowed. That will be a fun day.
- PhillySportsGuy

McDonalds Division:

1.Penguins
2.Devils
3.Flyers
4.Islanders
5.Rangers(Am I really the only one who thinks they're gonna struggle next year?
6.Blue Jackets
7.Washington
8.Carolina

The first 7 teams in our division are either frequent playoff contenders or deserve to be in the playoffs (Blue Jackets, Islanders)

btw these aren't projections just listings.

quebec
- isaiah520

That's east it would have to be west unless we have another realignment.

But at least they "won" their division. A bad 3rd place team will get in simply because they are in the right division. It won't be a common occurrence, but it will still happen at some point.

Anyone know the schedule break down? How often we play teams from our division, conference and western conference?
- PhillySportsGuy

no, but it's an interesting point; due to the uneven divisions/conferences, the % breakdown will be different depending on which conference you're in.

I think the idea was that you play every team outside of your conference twice, 1 home and 1 away. After that, it has to be different.

Kansas City? Las Vegas?
- jmatchett383

Does Kansas City have any hockey market at all?

I think the ice would melt in Vegas
- PhillySportsGuy

I really hope you're joking.