NHL 2012-2013 Offseason and On.

[biosc1]

Originally Posted by Primus

Are the new division and conference proposals completely out of the question for this season? I feel like I haven't heard anything on them for a long time.

Not sure. Winnipeg really needs to move out of the South-East division!

[Dark Prince]

Originally Posted by Primus

Are the new division and conference proposals completely out of the question for this season? I feel like I haven't heard anything on them for a long time.

Haven't heard anything regarding realignment for the division/conferences yet. It looks like they're mostly concentrating on player revenue share to help struggling clubs.

Bunch of players including Crosby and Ovechkin were participating in the meeting today.

[Doogie2K]

I imagine that's one of those things that will come up late in negotiations, once most of the hard issues have been settled. They can't change it for this season anyway, so no rush.

[Primus]

Originally Posted by biosc1

Not sure. Winnipeg really needs to move out of the South-East division!

Yeah, the travel sucks for all teams in it.

[shunoshi]

Yeah, I'd really love to see the realignment happen as well. The Northwest division travel can be a bit rough.

[roboninja]

Originally Posted by Primus

Are the new division and conference proposals completely out of the question for this season? I feel like I haven't heard anything on them for a long time.

Yeah, that's going to be a part of the negotiations. The NHLPA gets a say; they were the ones that vetoed the last plan.

[Serapth]

Originally Posted by shunoshi

Yeah, I'd really love to see the realignment happen as well. The Northwest division travel can be a bit rough.

What I think should happen is New York and New Jersey should be put in the same division as LA. Toronto, Boston and Montreal should be put in the same division as Tampa Bay.


Simply put, the current league gives the Eastern conference a GIGANTIC advantage. I actually say screw the conferences and have every team play each other team 3 times ( minus 8 ).

[shunoshi]

Originally Posted by Serapth

Simply put, the current league gives the Eastern conference a GIGANTIC advantage. I actually say screw the conferences and have every team play each other team 3 times ( minus 8 ).

That would kick ass. Then just have a giant 16-seed playoff tourney like college basketball.

[Serapth]

Originally Posted by shunoshi

That would kick ass. Then just have a giant 16-seed playoff tourney like college basketball.

I thoroughly support this.

[Doogie2K]

I grew up on the four-division format, so I'd love to see that specific format return. Regionalized divisions (they're smaller, so travel will be reduced anyway), two playoff rounds in-division to build up hate over a few years, no more bullshit of having Winnipeg in the SE...I don't have an issue with any of it.

[Doogie2K]

Taking a break from all that lockout bollocks, Dany Heatley is suing his former agent for $11M over misappropriation of funds.

And that's the downside of having to trust other people with your money.

[shunoshi]

Well, hopefully that doesn't distract him too much from underachieving in Minnesota this year.

[Doogie2K]

He posted a career-worst shooting percentage last year. You'd have to think that'll rebound to some degree, even if he's not playing with the same calibre of playmakers he was in Ottawa or San Jose. It's bizarre how badly he's fallen off the last couple of years. Makes you wonder if there was an injury that might have hurt his shot (brain/shoulder/elbow/wrist/hand) at some point.

[Doogie2K]

Also, LOL Hartnell contract. Seriously, $5.5M for a guy exiting his prime who'd scored more than 50 points once prior to last year? How many times are GMs gonna pay for career years before figuring out what an outlier is?

Put another way, would anyone bet on Scott Hartnell at ages 31-36 being $1M/yr better than Max Pacioretty at 24-29?

Edit: Conflicting reports on Twitter. Either $5.5M or $4.75M. The latter number is slightly less dumb, but I still wouldn't take that bet if I were a GM. 45-point guys aren't worth that kind of scratch.

[Khrymsyn]

Looks like it's 4.75M

I've got very mixed feelings on the signing. I mean, on one hand, he definitely, FINALLY, played like less of an idiot last season and also had his best productive season of his career, but then again, is it an aberration? Who knows. Kind of expensive, but frankly, there were a quite a few deals this offseason that made me go Wha?!? money wise, especially with D men.

[Hyperglide]

He also played with a former superstar and a current superstar. And like Doogie said he's entering the twilight of his career. His agent probably also trumped up the fact that he was an 'All-Star' this year... ya how many injuries had to happen for him to get in?

It's hard for me to say this but I'd rather take patches over Hartnell.

[roboninja]

Hartnell works best right where he is. On another team he would be overpaid. On Philly it's about right.

[Dark Prince]

Originally Posted by Hyperglide

He also played with a former superstar and a current superstar. And like Doogie said he's entering the twilight of his career. His agent probably also trumped up the fact that he was an 'All-Star' this year... ya how many injuries had to happen for him to get in?

It's hard for me to say this but I'd rather take patches over Hartnell.

The Flyers have superstars? I don't remember any of them showing up for the playoffs.

A bit strange signing for Philly. I wouldn't have given him that many years.

[biosc1]

Originally Posted by Dark Prince

The Flyers have superstars? I don't remember any of them showing up for the playoffs.

Well, they did/do have a goalie with his head thinking about stars?

[Hyperglide]

Originally Posted by biosc1

Well, they did/do have a goalie with his head thinking about stars?

Ha ha trick question which goalie would you rather have. Pavelec or Bryzgalov? Real goalie clinic they put on last season.