GDT: Panthers @ Blues, 31 Oct 2009, 7PM CDT

[goon attack]

FLORIDA. F*CKING FLORIDA.

Is there any more proof needed to see how LAME the nhl scheduling is?

Let's get a quick show of hands... who would rather see FLORIDA in here tomorrow instead of Detroit or Chicago?

That's what I thought.

MORE divisional games will only increase revenue. Why the F*CKS in the league office won't acknowledge that is beyond me.

[Winning Unlimited]

Florida is just a terrible franchise. If it was the Capitals, Penguins, or Flyers instead, you wouldn't be bitching. It'll still be a good game. hell, last game, 46 PIMs and 2 misconducts handed out.

[goon attack]

I'd still be bitching because I think you should play your division as much as possible. Yeah, you'll get the nice odd rough game against a non-div foe, but that's the aberration. More games against the same teams = better rivalry, more spirited play, more brawls, more drama.

If it were up to me, the NHL would be like old baseball scheduling. Conference ONLY and then heavy on the division.

[philco_3]

Agreed, non divisional or eastern teams should be during the week.

[BF44]

The fact that it's Halloween may have something to do with it.... most of the parents of school-age kids won't be able to go.... I know I can't......

[DaDitka]

The way they are playing at home right now, the last thing I want is a divisional game against a good team.

[ViPeRx007]

We'll probably lose.

[Ruutu15]

I definitely think we should revert to two divisions and have the old divisional playoff format. 2 playoff rounds vs divisional teams are really what makes a rivalry.

[Winning Unlimited]

I'm switching between Pittsburgh at Columbus and Montreal at Chicago. I guess there are quite a few West/East games this weekend.

[glen a richter]

pansies

[OS]

FLORIDA. F*CKING FLORIDA.

Is there any more proof needed to see how LAME the nhl scheduling is?

Let's get a quick show of hands... who would rather see FLORIDA in here tomorrow instead of Detroit or Chicago?

That's what I thought.

MORE divisional games will only increase revenue. Why the F*CKS in the league office won't acknowledge that is beyond me.

I agree with you, but the majority of hockey fans were bitching and moaning about only seeing Crosby once every 3 years.

[cprice12]

FLORIDA. F*CKING FLORIDA.

Is there any more proof needed to see how LAME the nhl scheduling is?

Let's get a quick show of hands... who would rather see FLORIDA in here tomorrow instead of Detroit or Chicago?

That's what I thought.

MORE divisional games will only increase revenue. Why the F*CKS in the league office won't acknowledge that is beyond me.

I agree with you, but the majority of hockey fans were bitching and moaning about only seeing Crosby once every 3 years.

I've always been in favor of more games vs. your divisional foes. Yeah, so what if we don't have Crosby or Ovechkin in town but once every four or five years...so what? If you want to see the stars in the East, get Center Ice.
Load up the schedule with games vs. your own conference...and more specifically, your own division.
The game would be better off.

[TSUCookieMonster]

I agree with most of this, but I do get tired of seeing the Blues vs. Nashville or Columbus 8 times/season. Kind of seems counterproductive to try and force rivalries by having teams play each other so much so fast in the season.

If the NHL realigned to 4 divisions, including Minnesota in our division and a few others, THAT would be awesome. We'd see more conference games in our own division without getting bored.

West, Central, Southeast and Northeast.

Just my opinion though.

[Philo]

I thought you people were hockey fans,if you are it doesn't matter who plays who its friggin hockey.

[goon attack]

I agree with you, but the majority of hockey fans were bitching and moaning about only seeing Crosby once every 3 years.

when the next Crosby gets drafted by a team in our division, they'll benefit.

Everybody wants everything. It's the luck of the draw. Sometimes you get to see kick ass players, sometimes you don't. I remember I was lucky enough to see Gretzky play a game here in St. Louis, one of the rare times the Oilers came through. He dropped 8 points on us, I believe.

I'm sure people wanted to see Brett Hull more, but in doing that, we got to see the Blues playing Tampa Bay on a Saturday night instead of the Wings or Hawks.

It's just utter bullshit.

[goon attack]

I agree with most of this, but I do get tired of seeing the Blues vs. Nashville or Columbus 8 times/season.

I say because 8 games is not quite enough to get a true rivalry going.

Even if it's Columbus or Nashville, rivalries will grow either way. I'd prefer to Columbus or Nashville in here as long as the game was spirited. Put us up against each of those teams 12-14 times a year and you'll see some good contests.

I don't mind Florida, but I prefer a divisional foe.

[BF44]

I agree with most of this, but I do get tired of seeing the Blues vs. Nashville or Columbus 8 times/season. Kind of seems counterproductive to try and force rivalries by having teams play each other so much so fast in the season.

If the NHL realigned to 4 divisions, including Minnesota in our division and a few others, THAT would be awesome. We'd see more conference games in our own division without getting bored.

West, Central, Southeast and Northeast.

Just my opinion though.

Agree -- rivalries are born in the playoffs.... not in the regular season. Gotta play division rivals in the first round, and the problem is solved.

[glen a richter]

Is this going to morph into the de facto GDT?

[goon attack]

BF44- I don't think rivalries are born exclusively in the playoffs. They can be, of course, (like Det-Col) but I think rivalries are born when two teams in the same division are near the top of the standings. The Blues-Hawks rivalry in 90-91 was as spirited as I've ever seen it.

Your point nicely dovetails into another of my main points: home and home series are crucial. The playoffs develop bad blood between teams because you see the same team for at least 4 games in a row. Home and homes should be the norm. If it were up to me, we'd be seeing at least two home and homes per MONTH.

[BF44]

BF44- I don't think rivalries are born exclusively in the playoffs. They can be, of course, (like Det-Col) but I think rivalries are born when two teams in the same division are near the top of the standings. The Blues-Hawks rivalry in 90-91 was as spirited as I've ever seen it.

Your point nicely dovetails into another of my main points: home and home series are crucial. The playoffs develop bad blood between teams because you see the same team for at least 4 games in a row. Home and homes should be the norm. If it were up to me, we'd be seeing at least two home and homes per MONTH.

But it did help that they met in the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons... I don't 100% disagree with your point... but the rivalry was boiling pretty well already when that season started.....