'Dramatic' Realignment in 2012-2013

[cprice12]

Better travel is one of the main reasons for realignment.
If that is the case, then why play a balanced schedule like they are talking about? A balanced schedule would have them playing every team in the NHL at least twice. So you'd still be traveling all over.
I hate the idea of a balanced schedule.

- Two conferences.
- Two divisions in each conference.
- Don't play the other conference at all.
- Load up with games against teams in your own division and play them 8-10 times each, play teams in the other division in your conference four-ish times each. Playing the other conference doesn't make any sense. You're not fighting with those teams in the standings. Each game should be meaningful.
- Top four in each division make the playoffs.
- Divisional playoffs in the first and 2nd rounds...1st plays 4th, 2nd plays 3rd...winners play each other and then the winners of each divisional playoff bracket play in the conference finals...best reg. season record gets home ice... and the winners of each conference play in the finals...best record gets home ice.

I don't care what team is in what division. If you go with an unbalanced schedule and have divisional playoffs, new rivalries will quickly form on their own in no time. Would I like Detroit to be in our division? Absolutely...but if they aren't, then whatever. This setup will make up for that in no time.

Someone on the radio said Columbus may move to the East, which would mean the Blues would lose a big rival. What? Since when is Columbus a huge rival? I couldn't care less if they move.

[abc789987]

I like that setup, but isn't it a given that Detroit weasels their way into the East? It sounds like they want to be in the East big time. What Detroit wants, Detroit gets, no?

I wonder what the fans want...do they even think the Blues-Wings Rivalry is a rivalry?
If so they won't want to move.

I would think the Hawk's-Wings rivalry would mean more to the Wings.

[STLADOGG]

I like that setup, but isn't it a given that Detroit weasels their way into the East? It sounds like they want to be in the East big time. What Detroit wants, Detroit gets, no?

I wonder what the fans want...do they even think the Blues-Wings Rivalry is a rivalry?
If so they won't want to move.

I would think the Hawk's-Wings rivalry would mean more to the Wings.

Yeah, that's pretty much a given...the Red Wings fans that I know that are from Detroit, when ever I bring up the blues-red wings they just kind of make a arrogant comment about Stanley Cups. I think until that happens it won't mean that much to the Wing fans as it does to us St. Louis fans.

[DaDitka]

I like that setup, but isn't it a given that Detroit weasels their way into the East? It sounds like they want to be in the East big time. What Detroit wants, Detroit gets, no?

I wonder what the fans want...do they even think the Blues-Wings Rivalry is a rivalry?
If so they won't want to move.

I would think the Hawk's-Wings rivalry would mean more to the Wings.

Yeah, that's pretty much a given...the Red Wings fans that I know that are from Detroit, when ever I bring up the blues-red wings they just kind of make a arrogant comment about Stanley Cups. I think until that happens it won't mean that much to the Wing fans as it does to us St. Louis fans.

Yeah, the Wings - Blues rivalry is like the Cards - Royals. A lot of Royal fans hate the Birds and take much joy in defeating Us, and Birds fans hardly notice we are playing the Royals.

It's also much like the old Rams - 49ers, we called it a rivalry and they called it a Bye week.

[Philo]

New Central Division (Midwest Division)?

Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg?

That will mean that St.Louis will be in the basement every year.

[philco_3]

New Central Division (Midwest Division)?

Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg?

That will mean that St.Louis will be in the basement every year.

Come on now...we will be above Dallas and Winnipeg.

[ohio BLUES]

Dude, have you seen Winnipeg's roster? Yikes.

Forwards signed for next season:

Antropov, Nik
Kane, Evander
Little, Bryan
Burmistrov, Alexander
Slater, Jim
Thorburn, Chris
Cormier, Patrice
Glass, Tanner
Stapleton, Tim