NHL Franchise Boys

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We always said we wanted our franchise pool to to mimic the NHL and I think we got more than we bargained for. Friday night was certainly a night of controversy and like any close-knit family we discuss, we learn from our mistakes, we forgive and we move on! What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger… except maybe for that Cage aux Sports food which almost killed me!!!  

The NHL made a controversial decision Friday not to suspend New York Rangers star Rick Nash for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky. Arguably, a similar hit made by Joffrey Lupul on Victor Hedman earlier in the week resulted in a two-game suspension, and Alex Edler’s charge on Coyotes goalie Mike Smith Thursday night also resulted in a two-game suspension.

“It was a rotten hit, but not a suspension.  It absolutely should have been a two minute minor, and probably should have been a five,” said Shanahan, in a phone interview on Friday. Shanahan doesn’t have to suspend every player, but sometimes “rotten hits” need a strong message. This seems like one of those times and another instance of a missed opportunity to take a stand and send a message. It’s unfortunate but we all make mistakes…. let’s learn from them.

The NHL officially notified its teams this week about its latest realignment proposal that would see the League go from six divisions to four divisions and introduce a form of divisional playoffs instead of the current conference system. The plan needs approval from the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the League’s Board of Governors. If it passes, it would take effect for the 2013-14 regular season.

Schedule
It depends on whether you’re in a seven or eight team conference.
For the sevens (Midwest and Pacific) it looks like this:

• 32 games vs. Eastern Conference (one home, one away vs. each opponent).
• 21 games vs. other division in Western Conference (teams with the extra home game will be rotated every season).
• 29 games vs. own division (you will play one team four times instead of five).

For the eights (Atlantic and Central), it looks like this:

• 28 games vs. Western Conference (one home, one away).
• 24 games vs. other division in Eastern Conference (teams with the extra home game will be rotated every season).
• 30 games vs. own division (you’ll play two teams five times, and five teams four times).

Playoffs
It is no longer the top eight teams per conference that qualify. Instead, the top three teams in each division are automatic qualifiers. They will be seeded 1, 2 and 3. The No. 4 seeds have some potential for crossover. Those spots will be given to the next two teams with the highest point total. The team with fewer points would play the higher-seeded No. 1 within its conference. The Stanley Cup final will remain Western Conference vs. Eastern Conference. Last year, the NHL considered the idea of putting the final 4 highest-remaining seed against the lowest, with no consideration for geography. That’s gone, which is too bad, because I was looking forward to a Montreal – Boston final at some point. Oh well, I still like this proposal better than the status quo. Let’s hope it gets approved.