Apparently, as the rumors go, it was something the Bettman promised Mike Ilitch in order to get him to agree to the lockout back in 2004. Bettman tells Ilitch to go along with the lockout, despite the fact that the Wings were doing quite well under the old system, and if he did so that the Wings would move east if the league ever expanded.

I seriously doubt the Wings will ever move to the Eastern Conference. They are pretty premiere team in the Western Conference. They tend to sellout most visiting arenas. In fact, other teams even charge more per ticket for games against the Wings. There is no way the owners of a lot of teams in the West will ever agree to have the Wings move East. They'd be losing too much money if that happen.

As a pure competitive stand point I don't want to trade Atlanta for Detroit. If that happens I think Pittsburgh could move to the SE to spice up that division and they already have a rivalry with the Caps. Philly/NJ/Rags/islanders are all so close that I doubt they would be split up.

Philly, NJ, Rags, Isles, Buffalo
Boston, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit
Wash, TB, Florida, Carolina, Pens

Just a guess if Detroit does move East.

Yes...Please move Detroit to the East.

Signed,
Sharks fans

You've knocked us out in the Semis two years in a row...isn't that enough to get the proverbial monkey off your backs?

Good points - I have a feeling that Bettman is salivating over the prospect of Ovechkin and Cindy in the same division.

Nashville to the southeast just makes more sense, geographically, culturally and in terms of overall feel. Of course that's no reason for the NHL to actually do it.

I like the Zhamnov jersey.......

Putting them in the same division is now 8 games instead of 6 for NBC/Versus to pick up and promote as THE GAME OF THE YEAR. Then people will complain even more that they show Crosby and Ovechkin too much.

It was 8 till two years ago when the west teams wanted their fill of Crosby, now it is 6. You have been listening to Steigy too much, he is rotting your brain.

So you are suggesting Winnipeg stay in the East and Pittsburgh move to the West, so the West teams get more Crosby?

(Unrelated-- Nik Zherdev attacking his wife?? typical Flyer!!!!!)

No what I am saying is that post lockout you played you division 8 times till 2 years ago. Then it got moved to 6 because teams in each conference would go years without visiting another.

Zherdev is a UFA, not a Flyer anymore ;)

Sorry my initial stupid sarcasm did come through on the first post...my ;) must have been broken.

Rumor on Zherdev is his wife asked him to backcheck, and he snapped

No. :D

One less road block for the perennial under achievers would be gladly accepted.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A medical examiner in Minnesota ruled the death of Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was an accident, due to mixing alcohol and oxycodone.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released Boogaard's cause of death on Friday. The medical examiner said no other data will be released.

The 28-year-old Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment last Friday, five months after he sustained a season-ending concussion with the New York Rangers. ...
My Way - Sports News

Crosby to Pittsburgh fix? I must of missed that one.

Nashville is also CST, which would make them the only team in the East that's not in the EST. Although I am biased, I think that Columbus makes the most sense. Eastern time zone and for a team that needs to continue to build it's fanbase, having more road games start at 7 can only help. If DET moves, then that leaves CHI as the only original 6 team in the West. I imagine that the other West teams will fight to keep Detroit for their drawing power.

Great point that I hadn't thought of... I could live with either Nashville or Columbus moving then I guess

The only reason I and I think others keep saying Nashville is because they could be plugged into the Southeast division pretty easy given where they are located and it wouldn't mess with any of the other divisions. This is all purely selfish but I like the Atlantic the way it is and I don't want to lose any of the teams to another division because of it. They're all fun rivalries for the Flyers. Would you think they would put Columbus in the Southeast?


Nah chalk it up to me having a bad morning and not picking up on it. Let's not jump to conclusions on Zhe...although if he did hit his wife that would make one more hit than he had all season.

Some in the tinfoil hat crowd will tell you that the Penguins were handed Crosby, as the drawing itself was not televised and the Penguins were in full on bankruptcy mode.

With you on this.

Without looking at any numbers, I am imagining Nashville would be the shortest trip for Florida and Tampa ( with ATL gone). Guessing Nashville slightly closer than Cbus for Carolina, though the opposite for the Caps.

But on top of that, keeping Columbus with Detroit and Chicago makes more sense than keeping Nashville there.

Yeah, I would think so. For Columbus, it's still much less travel than being in the West. We are closer to DC and probably Raleigh, then just get both FLA and TB in one shot. Much better than the multiple Western Canada and California road trips.

So how did the Canucks only get called for 3 penalties in the first two games combined after averaging nearly 4+ a game throughout the playoffs?

Today, 3 minutes into the 2nd they have already been whistled for 4...

Didn't Pittsburgh have the worst record and the top odds? It isn't like the NBA Draft where all three top picks are up. It's just one team that can move up a max of 4 spots.

I couldn't see Buffalo wanting to leave it's Canadian rivals, considering it has a big fan base in Southern Ontario.

The Crosby draft was the post-lockout draft so teams had odds based on their three previous seasons and draft pick locations instead of the usual draft.

From what I've read, the 'Peggers are going to be put into the SE for a year, mainly because it'll a) give more time to sorting out what the new alignment should be and b) it'll give more time to sorting out what the alignment should be if Phoenix has to pull up stakes after next season. It's going to absolutely suck for all of the SE teams and especially the newcomers with all the travel issues, though.

Regardless, I find myself bummed out a bit about the Thrashers moving. As a fan of another non-traditional-market team, it sucks to lose comrades-in-arms (however many there actually were) in trying to convince the world that this game matters in this part of the country. My soul didn't flinch much when the Hornets left, but I know I'd be pretty damned devastated if the Hurricanes did.

For better or worse, Atlanta is the "capital" of the South, so to see the team move out will continue to reinforce the naysayers who want the NHL confined to a convenient box in the northeast US and across Canada (most likely folding up several teams along the way). So, I feel like the loss of Atlanta makes the Hurricanes (and the Lightning and the Panthers) a little more vulnerable in that regard.

Only because we tanked the prior year!


Every team got 3 ping pong balls, and lost 1 for each playoff berth over the last 3 seasons and 1 lost for each #1 overall pick in the past 4 seasons. Pittsburgh, Columbus, Buffalo and the Rangers each had the highest chances with 3 balls (might have been others).

Pittsburgh was saved by losing the regular lottery after the 04 season, Ovechkin draft. Caps lost a ball with that #1 overall. Also Pens were saved by having the #1 overall in 03 (Fleury), but actually had 3rd pick, traded up with Florida to get the pick.

I would like to see the Wings go to the Eastern conference in order to cut down on the 15k flyer miles they accumulate every postseason. Oh, and a renewed rivalry with the Leafs would be nice too.

And your leading playoff goal scorer...Sean Bergenheim!?!?!

Dola

Tomas Kaberle's stache gives me the heebeejeebees

Double Dola

Torrey Mitchell must be freakishly strong. How else to explain D Sedin's legs coming out from under him on a hook around the waist?

Jesus. I don't think I've ever seen a team self-destruct the way the Sharks have. 0-0 goes to 3-0 after three 5 on 3 goals.

Was only able to see the first period as I was driving home from LA.

I said that the missed PP opportunities in the 1st period would come back to haunt them and sure enough that is what happened.

4 goals on 13 shots. Really?! Ugh!

Was hoping this would happen in the previous round....:(

I despise this new NHL where apparently we want to see 20 powerplays a game because goals must equal excitement. For a while at least they were still letting them play in the playoffs but I guess that has gone by the wayside as well now

Lot of twitter buzz that Brian Rafalski is going to announce his retirement this week.

Eddie Olczyk's son just committed to Penn State to play hockey!

It's on NHL.com too.....

Rafalski is one of the players I love to hate, with no real reason to hate him. He's the Chris Osgood of defenseman for me I think-- I always point to him and think "he's really not that good!", but the teams he's on are always winners.

I hate to see Rafalski go. He's only 37. He's entering the prime of his career in Detroit terms.

There is no way to replace him. He was calm, poised, had a great outlet pass and was fantastic offensively. He wasn't big, but he was pretty effective. On a point-per-game basis, he had as many points as Lidstrom did this year and was a +14. A very solid, dependable, smart player. I think injuries and time have slowed him down some and he was out of line-up a lot. He was a great player and a very good fit for the Wings.

The upside to all of this is that it suddenly makes July 1st a little more interesting. Instead of the usual tinkering around the edges with re-signings and minor deals in August, the Wings actually have some cap space to burn and a need for a Top 4 d-man.

There are some intriguing options out there in the UFA market. The potential candidates include:

James Wisniewski
Christian Ehrhoff
Joni Pitkanen
Kevin Bieksa

Tomas Kaberle
Bryan McCabe
Ed Jovanovski
Roman Hamrlik
Andrei Markov

The top four seem to be the best candidates for a possible Top 4 position. I thought Wisniewski was great in Anaheim in the 2009 playoffs. He was a force out there. I fear his play is a bit inconsistent. He got shipped from Anaheim to the Isles and then to Montreal. Always a bit concerning to see a guy moved around that much. Still, he plays with an edge, has some offensive upside and is a local kid.

Ehrhoff has had a great year in Vancouver. For some reason, though, I don't like him. I think it was because he had a goofy-ass picture in Eastside Hockey Manager and never played well for me there.

Joni Pitkanen fits the Wings love of Euros, but he is a Finn and that doesn't always work out. He always seemed like he should be a better player than he actually is, but I have to admit I've never focused on Pitkanen or really noticed him. Sometimes the latter can be a good thing for a D-Man.

I've always loved Kevin Bieksa. Has some offense, is tough, will hit. He's having a great playoffs which will up his asking price. The biggest knock on him is that he's injury prone. I constantly draft him in fantasy hockey, since he's a good source of both points and penalty minutes, but always seems to miss significant time with injury.

As for the second group, none of them thrill me. Kaberle's a great passer and that would fit in well with Detroit's puck possession style of play, but he's looked like a bitch in the playoffs this year. He's wilting under pressure. Not a good sign.

McCabe does nothing for me.

I've always loved Roman "The Hammer" Hammrlik, but he's 37 and has lost a step. I don't see him as a viable Top 4 defensemen anymore. Same with Jovocop. Great player, love the passion, but not the guy he once was.

Markov is a great player, but too much of a risk coming off back to back ACLs.

One of the biggest problems the Wings had last year was with larger forwards. Teams were able to cycle down low almost constantly against them. That would seem to indicate that getting a defensemen with a little size, strength and edge would fit the bill. That would seem to make Wisneiwski or Bieksa a better fit.

The one thing the Wings can't do is over pay for a guy. I think Holland has been excellent at this ever since the lockout. Early on fans bitched and moaned while other teams snatched up free agents and Holland stood pat and waited. One of the most important aspects of a team in the cap era is having players play up to or exceed their contract. I don't know if any of the abovementioned players are $6 million guys. I think around $4-$4.5 million is about right. The Wings can then save that money, perhaps invest it in an upgrade at forward (though I don't think there's much out there right now), or save it for the trade deadline or for next year when all signs indicate there will be a much deeper pool of UFAs. Included in that UFA pool are Kronwall and Stuart. So, the Wings have to consider where they want to go with those guys as well.

Let's say, for example, Weber signs a 1 year deal this year and becomes a UFA next year. Lidstrom retires and then the Wings are sitting pretty capwise to make a run at the guy. It's a pipe dream, sure, but a fun one.

Should be a fun summer!

My dream scenario is Kenny pulls the trigger on a deal for JMFJ. Not sure that it is feasible since LA would most assuredly want a top 6 forward plus other stuff in return and we don't have one of those to give (unless they love Fil?).

If I am Kenny I consider offer sheeting Weber. It'd suck losing the picks, but for Shea it's worth it.

I would think Nashville matches anything Detroit can offer-- isn't the Lidstrom cap at $7M? Assuming they are staying under that, Nashville matches.

The Penguins signed one guy last year who I always thought was a fit for Detroit's style - Paul Martin.

Of the guys HB names above, I guess Pitkanen best fits that mold

I don't doubt Nashville matches it, but I'd still gamble on it.

I fully expect a trade and a smaller signing at this point.

From the outside (not a Wings' fan...or hater, for that matter) looking in...the Wings are the oldest team in the league and have been for several years now...when is there bubble going to burst? Is the window to "contend" almost shut? Would the combo of Rafalski and Lidstrom leaving mean it's time to blow it up? Or do they continue to look for those gems on the scrap heap who seem to plug right in and contribute regardless of age or skill set?

I realize guys like Modano, Osgood, Salei, and Draper obviously jack up the average age and that they aren't likely coming back (or will do so on the cheap) but would dumping A LOT of picks into Weber be the best thing for a team as old at the Wings right now?

Case in point, Calgary adding Bouwmeester when they did. Another aging team with nothing coming up in terms of youth and a shortage of draft picks. Yes, he's a great cornerstone (has been a disappointment so far, if you ask any Flames' fan) but when you don't have anything to build with what's the point?

**All this said with little knowledge of what the Wings have down on the farm/recently drafted**

Wings have a fairly deep system. #11 on HF I believe.

There are four young forwards in the system who have top 6 potential. Tomas Tatar who is 19 and had 57 points in the AHL last year. Then there is Gustav Nyquist who was a force at Maine and just signed with GR. Then two kids we took in last years draft, Jarnrock and Pulkkinen who are both a ways away.

Brendan Smith is our best defensive prospect and probably makes the team this year. Kindl might be okay still but I dunno.

Once Lidstrom goes the 100 point seasons probably stop, but I think there is enough potential in the system to keep this thing going. We need a younger #1 D though, that is the issue. I think Johnson fits the bill with his up in play this year but LA has no reason to really trade him unless they add offense. If we can get a #1 D and Smith pans out (asking a lot I know), the Wings D all of a sudden becomes fairly young and it doesn't look so bad.

I agree. Lidstrom is the lynchpin. He's been the one constant for the Wings over their miraculous run of success over the last 20 years. There was a time when he was injured for about 3 weeks. He never gets hurt. It was in 2008 or 2009. It was a small window into what a "Lidstromless" Wings team would look like. It was awful. Terrifying. No me gusta.

While they aren't young, the core of the team (outside of Lidstrom) is primarily in their early 30s. Datsyuk (32), Zetterberg (30), Franzen (31), Cleary (32), Kronwall (30), Stuart (31), Filppula (27), Helm (24), Howard (27).

That doesn't include Top 6 forwards/Top 4 defensemen: Lidstrom, Rafalski (obviously), Bertuzzi and Holmstrom.

So, the Wings aren't in the "blow it up" stage. They will need to retool. Lidstrom is a once in a generation type player. He wont be replaced, but they need to find something to fill that void.

The Rafalski retirement made this summer interesting, but next summer could be a real doozy for Holland.

Niemi is the biggest Fn choke artist ... UGH

Yes...how dare he have his teammate lose the faceoff clean and not save the redirected shot. :banghead:

No, all Fn playoffs its the choke in the 3rd period from Niemi. Getting tired of it.

Leave it to the Sharks to find a way to lose via a magic trick...

What a weird way to end that.