I'm sorry I beg to differ. Roo is right, just because you won a divsion shouldn't automatically seed you higher than anyone. The panthers are more than 10 pts behind teams seeded lower and imo is wrong. It's like teams wining a bad division in football with 7-9 records getting into the playoffs over teams with winning records in good divisions. IT's a stupid practice and needs to stop. YOu won your poop division good here's a banner. Otherwise if you suck like the panthers do, then they should be wherever their point total puts them. IT makes it even worse that they play in a crap division and have fewer points than the Flyers, Pens, Devilas and Senators.
- JoeRussomanno

Would you rather there just be 2 conferences and call it a day? If the division winner isn't rewarded with something, there shouldn't be any divisions at all.

Would you rather there just be 2 conferences and call it a day? If the division winner isn't rewarded with something, there shouldn't be any divisions at all.
- eayost

That really isn't a bad idea because a division title is worthless anyway. But you need to group teams together for a scheduling purpose. Say the panthers finish with under 90 points and team finishes over 90 points and doesn't make the playoffs from another division, how horrible and wrong would that be?

yes but then those teams would never be in the playoffs and continue to have no money and be bigger jokes of the NHL
- 2Real

There's too many teams in the league anyway. The NHL really should look to retract by at least 4 teams. I can't see how so many teams in jeopardy is a good thing but what do i know.

That really isn't a bad idea because a division title is worthless anyway. But you need to group teams together for a scheduling purpose. Say the panthers finish with under 90 points and team finishes over 90 points and doesn't make the playoffs from another division, how horrible and wrong would that be?
- JoeRussomanno

what if the panthers, lightning, caps, canes never made the playoffs and their fans stopped showing up cause they dont' care any more and the teams can't spend money on players?

There's too many teams in the league anyway. The NHL really should look to retract by at least 4 teams. I can't see how so many teams in jeopardy is a good thing but what do i know.
- JoeRussomanno

every league has their struggling teams that's why they have the revenue sharing in place

I'm sorry I beg to differ. Roo is right, just because you won a divsion shouldn't automatically seed you higher than anyone. The panthers are more than 10 pts behind teams seeded lower and imo is wrong. It's like teams wining a bad division in football with 7-9 records getting into the playoffs over teams with winning records in good divisions. IT's a stupid practice and needs to stop. YOu won your poop division good here's a banner. Otherwise if you suck like the panthers do, then they should be wherever their point total puts them. IT makes it even worse that they play in a crap division and have fewer points than the Flyers, Pens, Devilas and Senators.
- JoeRussomanno

What the F? I am speachless... Tears of joy...

what if the panthers, lightning, caps, canes never made the playoffs and their fans stopped showing up cause they dont' care any more and the teams can't spend money on players?
- 2Real

Then disband them, I doubt that would happen to the caps though. They're having an off year but have otherwise been a strong franchise.

every league has their struggling teams that's why they have the revenue sharing in place
- 2Real

Such a shame socialist ideals taking over sports. The end is nigh approaching.

That really isn't a bad idea because a division title is worthless anyway. But you need to group teams together for a scheduling purpose. Say the panthers finish with under 90 points and team finishes over 90 points and doesn't make the playoffs from another division, how horrible and wrong would that be?
- JoeRussomanno

ok, how bout the possible situation i mentioned to roo last page? just as bad imo

what if the panthers, lightning, caps, canes never made the playoffs and their fans stopped showing up cause they dont' care any more and the teams can't spend money on players?
- 2Real

They would be the Penguins?


Hey Oh!

it was Michalek. his agent was griping on twitter that it was a ridiculous penalty and the NHL needs better refs. quite amusing to pick that one play out of yesterday's game as evidence that they need better refs.
- wilsonecho91

wow. what would have happened if rinaldo did that to crosby?




bylsma had this gem

“I think really the extracurricular stuff was the turning point in the game. It was a situation where you know they targeted players after the whistle and didn't get penalized. I think that allowed them to get back in the game.”

I'm on the fence with divisions. The top 8 teams should be in playoffs. However, there is more to play for with divisions. Home ice, rivalry and just plain pride.

pierre kept complimenting flyers players and whenever he did doc would go dead silent. it was almost humorous.

ok, how bout the possible situation i mentioned to roo last page? just as bad imo
- Crimsoninja

What you are saying is completely hypothetical. Is that happening right now in the NHL if we did away with division winners getting at least a third seed?

pierre kept complimenting flyers players and whenever he did doc would go dead silent. it was almost humorous.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

u are nuts wiht this stuff

pierre kept complimenting flyers players and whenever he did doc would go dead silent. it was almost humorous.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Complimenting Flyers during a Pens game? The nerve...

Someone better make an example of him.

u are nuts wiht this stuff
- Crimsoninja

i'm dead serious. at one point pierre was going on and on about couturier and said "right, doc, what do you think?" and there was just silence.

i'm dead serious. at one point pierre was going on and on about couturier and said "right, doc, what do you think?" and there was just silence.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

i believe you.. i guess i just dont pick up on it

i believe you.. i guess i just dont pick up on it
- Crimsoninja

Crims in da house.

Such a shame socialist ideals taking over sports. The end is nigh approaching.
- JoeRussomanno

this is obama's doing!

what if the panthers, lightning, caps, canes never made the playoffs and their fans stopped showing up cause they dont' care any more and the teams can't spend money on players?
- 2Real

I know your being sarcastic.. at least I think... But here is the thing... These small market teams need to learn that if you send money and put a winning team on ice, then people will come... Look at the Phillies... 10 years ago they were an aweful team, with one of the lowest payrolls in the league... But guess what... While being bad, they drafted good... then here is the key.... they spent money to surround thier good draft picks with other good players... Then They spent more money and got a new stadium... And look what happened... they spent a ton of money and now they are one of the best teams and orginizations in the league... Thats how you turn a non-profit team into a top franchise...

Then disband them, I doubt that would happen to the caps though. They're having an off year but have otherwise been a strong franchise.
- JoeRussomanno

explain the decade + before the last few years

Fact- Every fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins started watching hockey in 2006. But you already knew that...
- canadianpenfan

I get what you are saying and agree. Not all are new fans... but there are a significant group (not the youngsters either) that are. My fiance and I were at a game 2 years ago here in Philly... I was fortunate enough to sit amongst a group of about 20 pens fans who had made the trip from Yinzerville. All game long they were razzing and yapping and I sat there quietly. Flyers lost pretty bad I believe..

The highlight of the night, however, was when Rusty Fedotenko scored (i think) the final goal.. They were just ignorant.. So finally i spoke up and said something along the lines of.. " I know you guys are new fans of the sport, but act like you have won before."

One kid throws the whole Mario Cup days out there, another says something about Lindros' concussions.... and then my favorite, the guy had a Rusty jersey on and was doing some serious razzing.. "Ive been a fan since the Pens drafted Fedotenko"

3 problems with that:
1: Rusty was not drafted.
2: He started his career with the Flyers...
3: Was in his 2nd year as a Pen.

I started howling and only one Pens fan got it... an older gent sitting directly behind me, not with the other idiots. He apologized..

I know your being sarcastic.. at least I think... But here is the thing... These small market teams need to learn that if you send money and put a winning team on ice, then people will come... Look at the Phillies... 10 years ago they were an aweful team, with one of the lowest payrolls in the league... But guess what... While being bad, they drafted good... then here is the key.... they spent money to surround thier good draft picks with other good players... Then They spent more money and got a new stadium... And look what happened... they spent a ton of money and now they are one of the best teams and orginizations in the league... Thats how you turn a non-profit team into a top franchise...
- RooNosHockey

well i don't think the phillies gave away tickets which is what the panthers and among other teams have to do

explain the decade + before the last few years
- 2Real

If you are referring to the capitals I don't know what to tell you. The were a Stanley Cup finalist and very competitive. Have been for years going back to the 80's what is there to explain?