5 Ways I'd Change the NHL

Greg Wyshynski over at Yahoo has started a series in August where he has asked a bunch of prominent people how they would change the NHL. Piggy backing off that idea, I figured I would throw my two cents into the ring.

1. Eliminate the overtime point. The NHL is the only league with an overtime point. This point made sense when games were ending in ties because each team got a point. Now, with the addition of the shootout and the lack of ties, we reward losing as long as the team fought a good fight. This point muddles the standings and makes games relatively uninteresting when it comes down to the last five minutes of a game. With both teams playing defensive to try an save a point, the game just starts to be a waiting game rather than an actual game. Also, it does not help fans analyze playoff scenarios with the complication of that extra point.

2. Don't change the number of teams. Many people have talked about adding a few teams in the past few years and others have talked about getting rid of the struggling ones. The league has a good number of teams in it. It can't expand right now because the talent just is not there for it. Most teams would have a full line of AHL'ers as their fourth line if the league expanded by two. Contraction won't work for the league either because it looks terrible. Only starting franchises have to contract teams and start dispersal drafts not established ones. The league may be able to expand if the talent pool started to grow some more and every team was making a good profit. Until that point, there is no need to add more teams into the mix.

3. Eliminate the instigator and puck over the glass rules. These two rule changes were implemented after the lockout to try and open the game up some more. In the case of the instigator rule, it was to curb the amount of fighting in the league and the delay of game caused by a player sending the puck over the glass was to decrease stoppages. Both are useless. In the case of the instigator rule, it has created more low brow shots by players knowing that they would not have to own up to their actions. This creates another paradox in that now cheap shots lead to other cheap shots, not fights, creating more injuries and putting players in greater harm than they would be if there was a fight. With the delay of game the league believes that more people will watch a game if the score was higher. Therefore the tempo of the game needs to always continue and with a defender not being able to stop the play by sending the puck over the glass it would create more scoring chances. This never really happened. Most times the puck ends up over the glass on a careless play rather than an intentional one.

4. Cater to the serious fan instead of the casual fan. NASCAR may be falling into this problem as well. The NHL tries to expand its fan base by catering to the needs of the casual fan. They believe that a high-scoring game will draw in more fans because apparently all fans like to see scoring. What the league ignores is the fact that trying to cater to the casual fan alienates the serious fan or the original fan. The original fan knows how the game is played and likes to see a good game, whether the score is 2-1 or 6-5. Serious fans bring in the casual fan because of their fanaticism. Word of mouth in this case is the most powerful tool and if the more people feel alienated the less they speak highly of the league.

5. Fire Gary Bettman. Enough said.

The Sens Spectacular Demise and the Rest of the Playoffs

The Senators officially became the first team out of the NHL playoffs after their Game 4 loss at the hands of the Penguins. This being the same Senator team that started 15-2 and was proclaimed the best team like ever. Then Ray Emery showed up and they went to hell. It was a goalie ping-pong in where neither goalie was good enough to get the job done and the team kept losing until finally they settled into the 7 seed. Where they kindly got swept out by the Penguins. Even the Bruins are giving the Canadians a hard time by winning game 5. This says a lot about the Sens and the team as a whole. It was basically the same team that went to the Finals with the main three of Spezza, Heatley, and Alfredsson all in tact. Brian Murray became GM and John Paddock was hired, he didnt work and was fired halfway during the season for Brian Murray who couldnt stop the speeding train of doom either. It will be interesting to see what management does about this during the off-season.

As for the rest of the playoffs, I have not paid as much attention as I should but I do know that the Predators are looking good again after chasing Hasek out in the first last night, the Bruins are still grasping for straws after beating Montreal in Montreal, the Sharks looked ten times better in Game 4 after holding the Flames to only 10 shots in the whole game, the Wild and Avalanche are still hating each other as well as the Flyers and Capitals. It would also be really nice to see the Ducks lose in the first round with their in season additions that really should never be allowed. As of writing this, the Stars were up 3-0 in Game 4 of that series. As a prediction as well, and I swear I am writing this during the intermission of overtime, but I would place really good money on Briere scoring the game winner in the second overtime ala the Flyers series in 2005. And then Sabres fans all around will have their heads spin and pea soup coming out of their mouth.

Catching Up on the Playoffs

While it may have seemed that I have fallen off the face of the internet for a while, I pretty much have. I haven't had the chance to watch much on the playoffs not including the little bits of the Colorado/Minnesota series and Phily/Washington series. From what I have seen, it seems that the Colorado series is going to be the series to watch. All three games in the series have gone to overtime, with the game winners coming quickly. Both teams are playing with an intensity that rivals any playoff series. The Philly/Washington series is also going to be a great series to watch now that both teams are getting into the swing of things.

I promise that I will be trying to update more and more as the playoffs go on and I will have an NLL review from the crazy week that was Week 16.

Thoughts from the First Night of the Playoffs

While I am a huge fan of playoff hockey, I really kind of disappointed myself by missing the first set of games on Wednesday. The only game I actually saw was the Sharks/Flames game and I will have more on that in a minute.

Looking over the scores it can be said that both Ottawa and New Jersey had really bad nights. I know that Martin Gerber looked bad in net against the Pens and the same with Brodeur for the Devils. In the case of Brodeur, it happens but if it continues to happen the Devils are in major trouble. Brodeur is the rock of that team and if he continues to play that lousy the Devils are history quickly. It isn't so shocking that this is happening in Ottawa cause this has been happening all season. This team is toast and they have been toast before it started.

The Sharks looked really bad last night. Brian Campbell looked like the contract negotiation Campbell that Buffalo all knew and loved in the last few weeks of his run here. The Sharks started flat and the Flames definitely took advantage. Two goals in the first six minutes of the first was basically the start that they needed.

The Avalanche/Wild series looks like it is going to be an entertaining series and was definitely the most entertaining game of the night. Good goaltending made this game what it was. Both Jose Theodore and Nicolas Backstrom played great games with each making a fair share of amazing saves.

Tonights Games: Boston vs. Montreal, Nashville vs. Detroit, Calgary vs. San Jose, Dallas vs. Anaheim.

Playoff Previews

I was going to write this really long and fluent post on all of the playoff matchups in both conferences. But honestly, I am sick of reading them already and frankly you probably are too. Therefore, all I am going to do is list the playoff schedules and just give you my picks. From there, I will do game reviews of the games each night and if I have caught the game, give my opinion.

Eastern Conference

(1) Montreal Canadians vs. (8) Boston Bruins

Thursday - 7pm
Saturday - 7pm
Sunday - 7pm
April 15 - 7pm
April 17 - 7pm*
April 19 - TBD*
April 21 - TBD*

Considering that both teams play in the Northeast Division and that I generally dislike both teams, I guess I don't have a rooting interest here. The Canadians should win pretty easily but the return of Patrice Bergeron could give the Bruins a spark to win one. Canadians in 5.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

Wednesday - 7pm
Friday - 7pm
April 14 - 7pm
April 16 - 7pm
April 19 - TBD*
April 20 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

This one is pretty easy because while I don't like the Penguins, I hate the Senators. So watching the Senators go down in a heap of flames would be great to see. Penguins in 6

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

Friday - 7pm
Sunday - 2pm
April 15 - 7pm
April 17 - 7pm
April 19 - 1pm*
April 21 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

The prodigal star finally gets his chance to shine in the playoffs and it should really be fun to watch. I really want to see the Capitals succeed and do well. Capitals in 6.

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers

Wednesday - 7pm
Friday - 7pm
Sunday - 7pm
April 16 - 7pm
April 18 - 7:30pm*
April 20 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

Probably the longest and most drawn out series of the playoffs, this one should just be a joy to watch. A despised Rangers team versus a trap loving Devils. Honestly, I hope it ends quickly. Devils in 4.

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators

Thursday - 7pm
Saturday - 2pm
April 14 - TBD
April 16 - TBD
April 18 - 7:30 pm*
April 20 - 3:30 pm*
April 22 - TBD*

The Red Wings basically cruised the last couple of weeks in the playoffs with nothing really to play for. The last time they won the President's Trophy, they lost in the first round to the eventual finalists Edmonton Oilers. I think it can happen again. Predators in 7.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames

Wednesday - 10pm
Thursday - 10pm
Sunday - 10pm
April 15 - 10pm
April 17 - 10pm*
April 20 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

I will admit it, I like the Sharks. They are the team in the Western Conference that I can quietly root for and not feel bad about it because they really never meet the Sabres. I still like them even with the addition of Brian Campbell and I don't think I can wish ill will on a team that has a mascot like this. Sharks in 5.

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

Wednesday - 9pm
Friday - 9pm
April 14 - 10pm
April 15 - 10pm
April 17 - 9pm*
April 19 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

This should be another barn burner of a series in that both teams don't play a high octane play of offense. The curse of Peter Forsberg is going to hurt the Avalanche so therefore Wild in 5.

(4)Dallas Stars vs. (5)Anaheim Ducks

Thursday - 10pm
Saturday - 10pm
April 15 - 8:30pm
April 17 - 8pm
April 18 - 10pm*
April 20 - TBD*
April 22 - TBD*

I really can't stand the Ducks. I really can't stand the Stars. I have no real rooting interest and could care less who wins. Stars in 6.

*if necessary

Christmas Day - Otherwise known as the Trade Deadline

I promise that I will analyze the bigger trades later tonight, but for now, I'm just trying to keep up.

-The Lightning have sent Vaclav Prospal to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a second or third round pick in 2009. This is a good move for the Flyers who pick up momentum with the win last night against the Sabres. The Flyers are in desperate need of help on the blue line with the injuries Hatcher and Rathje. They sent Jim Vandermeer to Calgary.

- The Devils have acquired Bryce Salvador from the Blues for Cam Janssen. This is well not all that earth shattering, moving on.

- The Leafs have sent Wade Belak to the Florida Panthers for a fifth-round pick. Again, not much news, we'll move on and keep up the updates.

-News coming out being that the Lightning and Stars have a deal in place which will move Brad Richards as long as Richards waives his no trade clause. Its official now, waiting on the terms of the trade. Terms are now:

Lightning - Jokinen, Smith, and Halpern
Stars - Richards and Holmqvist

- Newest trade out is Canadiens send Cristobal Huet to the Capitals for a second round pick. I guess they really have faith in Carey Price. That second round pick is Anaheim's 2nd round pick in 2009.

Back with the updates:

- The Avalanche have sent Ruslan Salei to the Florida Panthers for Karlis Skrastins and a third round pick.

- The Hurricanes have sent Andrew Ladd to the Chicago Blackhawks for Tuomo Ruutu.

- The Senators have picked up Martin LaPointe from the Blackhawks for a sixth round pick.

- The Colorado Avalanche have picked up Adam Foote from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional first round pick for either 2008 or 2009 depending on whether the Avalanche make the playoffs and another conditional pick whether Foote resigns with the Avalanche

- The Washington Capitals have picked up Sergei Federov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Ted Ruth.

- The Vancouver Canucks have dealt Matt Cooke to the Capitals for Matt Pettinger all contingent on no movement clauses.

To finish up the last trades that happened before the deadline:

- The Blues traded defenseman Christian Backman to the Rangers for a second round pick

- The Leafs traded Hal Gill to the Penguins for a second and fifth round pick.

- The last major trade of the day involved Atlanta's Marion Hossa.

Thrashers - Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, Erik Christensen, and a first round pick
Penguins - Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis

- The Wild got Chris Simon from the Islanders for a 6th round pick.

- The Kings sent Brad Stuart to the Red Wings for a second and a fourth round pick.

- The Rangers sent Marcel Hossa and Al Montoya to the Coyotes for Fredrick Sjostrom, David Leneveu, and Josh Gratton

- The Leafs sent Chad Kilger to the Panthers for a third round pick

- The Kings sent Jean Sebastien Aubin to the Ducks for a third round pick

- The Islanders sent Marc Andre Bergeron to the Ducks for a seventh round pick.

That wraps up all of the trades that have been listed as of 3:41 pm which should conclude the trade deadline.

Trade Deadline Updates

With it being 18 hours from the end of the trade deadline, the rumors and news is flying fast and furious, so we will try and keep up with it as best we can.

- Mats Sundin will not waive his no-trade clause for the Leafs. This news is not a bad thing for the Leafs in that Sundin is still a player that has some sort of passion for the Leafs. I think that they need to consider moving most of the wasted space on that team, but Sundin has always wanted to be a Leaf and does not want to bail on his teammates. That loyalty is not such a bad thing. The Leafs need to consider moving the other dead weight that have no-trade clauses.

- Alex Tanguay will not be moved by the Flames, GM Darryl Sutter announced yesterday. Not sure about Tanguay on this one, but he does have one year left on his deal worth $5.25 million. The Flames have a handful of free agents that they still have to try and sign this summer so there will most likely be an odd man out.

- Peter Forsberg signed with the Colorado Avalanche. Honestly, who cares. Forsberg is not going to make an impact on a team that is still reeling from injuries. Colorado is sitting in the 10th position behind Phoenix and Nashville, both of which look to be serious contenders. This really is a non-factor.

-Brad Richards has given the Tampa Bay Lightning a list of teams that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for. That list includes Vancouver, Dallas, and Columbu. This gives the Lightning an option to open up some cap space after the stranglehold that the Big Three have on it. This may give them a goaltending option as well.

I will try and keep this updated as more news comes out toward the deadline.

Long Time, No Write

So I haven't written to this blog in now 11 days due to life. Pretty simple as that. There has been a lot of things that have gone on that I just haven't had a chance to write about.

- The last blog post I wrote was the Sabres/Sens preview for the 12th. Since then, the Sabres took the game against the Sens, who looked extremely flat and just wanted the game to end. Then the Sabres stole a game against the Leafs looking extremely worn out from playing 6 games in 9 days. That lack of energy really transfered over to the weekend, where the Sabres looked flat and flatter, losing to the Rangers and Penguins by a combined score of 9-2. Lets just say that the weekend wasn't pretty. After a break, the Sabres finally found their mojo in beating the Lightning and the Leafs Wednesday and Thursday night.

- The next game that the Sabres play would be the first homecoming of Chris Drury and the Rangers to Buffalo. More on this topic tommorrow.

- Thomas Vanek has become the leader that his contract should suggest and has shown that on the scoreboard scoring 11 goals in the last 8 games. And he has also guaranteed that this team will make a playoff spot. This is the Thomas Vanek that we have been waiting to see all season. He finally looks like he has confidence in his shot and that he is not gripping the stick too hard. He is starting to show leadership for this team.

- Brian Campbell on the other hand has shown that the contract negotiations have really affected his game. Either the pressure of the contract and the possibility of being traded, or something else has just festered into his brain and told him that he can't play. If he cannot handle this pressure, what is saying that he can handle the pressure of being the top defenseman on a team and that every glaring mistake is being analyzed because he is making $6 million a year. The Sabres just recently offered a contract in the $6 million dollar range, but has been refused by Campbell because it only was for three years. If this is not a sign that come the trade deadline, he won't be on this team anymore, I don't know what will.

- Speaking of the trade deadline, we are 4 days away from it and the biggest trade that we have seen is the Sens/Hurricanes trade with Corvo and Stillman. Because most teams feel that they are still in the playoff hunt and others are struggling with the salary cap, we probably won't see a lot of big trades this season. We here at Dueling Sabres will still update on any trades that occur, no matter how big or small. Thank god for the NHL Network here in the states running the TSN coverage of trade deadline day.

- Heading over to the Bandits, they dropped a possibly crucial game against the Toronto Rock on Friday 11-8. Ken Montour really kept this team in the game when the offense and defense just really fell apart. Montour has looked good in replacement for Mike Thompson who suffered a concussion against the Titans two weeks ago. Riding off that loss, the Bandits played what most likely will be the game of the season against the Swarm. Winning the game 16-14, Montour was the stud for the team only allowing 14 on 52 shots. After killing a 5 minute major, the Bandits rattled off 5 unanswered goals to take the lead on the Swarm and never really looked back. The was the Swarm's first loss on the season. The Bandits will take on the Shamrox this Sunday, with a preview coming later.

There is the stuff that I missed lately and I will commit that I will write more to this blog as both the Sabres and Bandits season wind down. During the offseason, I will be keeping updates on any news within the leagues and baseball. I should let you know that I am a Cubs fan and will follow them here and the other local teams. So, lets raise a glass to the rest of the season.