Official 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Thread Pt. II

[warwick.hoy]

Appropriate that we reached 1000 posts in the last thread right before the Conference Finals (and ultimately the Stanley Cup Finals) start up.

I wanted to make a poignant thread title to mark the new one,...but seeing as "Official 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Thread Conference Semis and battle for the Ultimate Trophy in Sports" would fit,...I just went with "Pt. II".

Anyway I posted this question in the last thread,...then reported it as past the posting limit,....so here it is for quoting and not missing purposes.

Originally Posted by jp58

Guys,

It's looking official. The Atlanta Thrashers are no more.

Hawks' owners prepare to sell Thrashers for Canadian move - Atlanta Atlanta Hawks | Examiner.com

VIDEO: Atlanta Thrashers' Chances Of Winnipeg Move '95 Percent,' Says Chris Vivlamore - SB Nation Atlanta

Edit: The Thrashers site is still selling next year's season tickets, but it is looking pretty set in stone that Atlanta is leaving.

So who takes the spot in the Conference? Someone from the WC is going to have to move over.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Appropriate that we reached 1000 posts in the last thread right before the Conference Finals (and ultimately the Stanley Cup Finals) start up.

I wanted to make a poignant thread title to mark the new one,...but seeing as "Official 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Thread Conference Semis and battle for the Ultimate Trophy in Sports" would fit,...I just went with "Pt. II".

Anyway I posted this question in the last thread,...then reported it as past the posting limit,....so here it is for quoting and not missing purposes.



So who takes the spot in the Conference? Someone from the WC is going to have to move over.

My vote goes to Columbus. They're the furthest east of the 3 teams mentioned and I think the fans here want it.

[stevetx19]

i've heard the nhl suggest restructuring to have 4 divisions in each conference before, perhaps this is the time to try it?

We've had this discussion on TB several times already as well. We know Detroit fans want to go east...and i think i've represented the position in Dallas before as well. If a spot opens up in the central division i would hope it goes to the Stars- both for travel and for ease of division opponents

[heroincredible]

Didn't see this posted in the last thread, so I figured I would link it here. Derek Boogaard was found dead in his apartment.

Derek Boogaard, a New York Rangers enforcer, found dead in apartment at age 28 | NJ.com

[stevetx19]

[basstotheface]

All the ESPN people now jumping on the Bolts bandwagon makes me nervous.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by basstotheface

All the ESPN people now jumping on the Bolts bandwagon makes me nervous.

That's funny, at this very minute I'm watching Barry Melrose on ESPN picking Boston.

[Hollow Man]

Okay, with regard to all this potential conference realignment in light of Atlanta's potential move to Winnipeg, I decided to make a map of the locations of all the teams, broken out by conference:

Hockey - Google Maps

There are a bunch of different ways to rearrange things, but here's my take:

Winnipeg -> Northwest Conference
Colorado -> Pacific Conference
Dallas -> Central Conference
Detroit -> Northeast Conference
Boston -> Atlantic Conference
Philadelphia -> Southeast Conference

[stevetx19]

I know this one splits some division rivalries, but i think it makes the most sense travel-wise. Except for the islanders...but whatever.

[mkandolf]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Okay, with regard to all this potential conference realignment in light of Atlanta's potential move to Winnipeg, I decided to make a map of the locations of all the teams, broken out by conference:

Hockey - Google Maps

There are a bunch of different ways to rearrange things, but here's my take:

Winnipeg -> Northwest Conference
Colorado -> Pacific Conference
Dallas -> Central Conference
Detroit -> Northeast Conference
Boston -> Atlantic Conference
Philadelphia -> Southeast Conference

Correction...

Pittsburgh -> Southeast Conference

Long standing Philadelphia to NY/NJ rivalries plus you have Boston coming in to rekindle rivalries with them. Move Pittsburgh down there and you have them playing against Washington a lot more building that rivalry.

Just need to figure out how to get Chicago in the East then we'd have all Original Six in the East!

Would love to see Detroit in the East at any cost almost. I think the entier East would have to adjust their style of play to match.

[stevetx19]

Originally Posted by mkandolf

Just need to figure out how to get Chicago in the East then we'd have all Original Six in the East!

Either create more teams or move franchises to the West. There aren't too many more cities in the west where an NHL team could survive.
Perhaps:
1. Las Vegas
2. Portland, OR
3. Salt lake city?
4. Seattle? My local friends and family are desperate for their own team, though i don't know if that is a common sentiment.
5. Milwaukee
6. Houston

[jp58]

Seattle is WAY to close to Vancouver for that to ever work, IMO, although a team there would be cool. I'd also like to see a team in Milwaukee. I don't know that any of the other cities there could actually support a team. Plus, the NHL having 30 teams seems to be a good fit, the divisions are set up pretty well (6 with 5 teams each) and the talent may be spread about as thin as it needs to be.

I'm not sure how the relocation will work out with Atlanta leaving to Winnipeg. Most folks seem to think that Detroit is staying in the West, much to the dismay of Detroit fans and pro-Detroit writers. I'm not sure how I want this to work out. If Detroit moves East, it really opens up the Central for Nashville or Chicago to dominate, as opposed to a SE move for us, which would stick us with some of the fastest rising teams in the NHL.

At any rate, this summer is going to be really busy for the NHL because it is extremely late to be moving a franchise and restructuring conferences.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by heroincredible

Didn't see this posted in the last thread, so I figured I would link it here. Derek Boogaard was found dead in his apartment.

Derek Boogaard, a New York Rangers enforcer, found dead in apartment at age 28 | NJ.com

While I didn't read the article,...I forgot to mention. The NHL Mourns the loss of a true enforcer. Even Flyers fans paid their respects.

In concert,...apparently one Barnaby is in jail. On several charges (of which aren't coming to mind,...but criminal mischief rings a bell) I'm assuming it's Mathew Barnaby.

[Jeff K]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

While I didn't read the article,...I forgot to mention. The NHL Mourns the loss of a true enforcer. Even Flyers fans paid their respects.

In concert,...apparently one Barnaby is in jail. On several charges (of which aren't coming to mind,...but criminal mischief rings a bell) I'm assuming it's Mathew Barnaby.

He's (Barnaby) out on bail. There are 5 charges relating to a domestic disturbance situation. Reportedly no physical contact involved. Criminal Mischief and Trespassing are a couple of the charges.

[warwick.hoy]

I don't see the NHL putting a team in Seattle anytime soon. I don't think the NHL is interested in Key Arena as it is too old and Seattle has not expressed any interest in building a replacement.

RE: Supersonics (ask MJ5150, he's a little more abreast of the sports situation in Seattle).

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

He's (Barnaby) out on bail. There are 5 charges relating to a domestic disturbance situation. Reportedly no physical contact involved. Criminal Mischief and Trespassing are a couple of the charges.

Thanks Jeff,....do you know if it is unrelated to the Boogaard Death?

[mkandolf]

Any cause released on Boogard's death yet? Wondering if it could be related to his concussion.

[Sonic_Death]

Originally Posted by mkandolf

Any cause released on Boogard's death yet? Wondering if it could be related to his concussion.

They're doing an autopsy soon, but I don't necessarily expect any details for at least a week or so. We'll see if they release them slowly as they piece it all together.

Last I heard they didn't suspect any foul play, though I wouldn't want to mess with a guy the size of Boogaard anyways! Heh.

Also, I don't think the Barnaby thing is related to Boogaard in any way. Apparently Derek's family found him in his apartment in Minneapolis.

[mkandolf]

Let's go Bruins!

[Ziltoid]

Bam and bam!

edit: and BAM