Change was inevitable the very moment that the NHL approved the move of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg.
After months of speculation and back-and-forth between the owners, governors, and the league, the NHL's Board of Governors have approved a brand new realignment plan. This new format is supposed to take effect in the 2012-13 season.
The new approach will eliminate the current East-West conference, six-division setup in lieu of a more geographically sensitive configuration.
Two conferences will have eight teams and the other two conferences will have seven teams.
The new conferences will be re-named shortly. I call Buffalo's new grouping the "Sunscreen Conference". The Sabres will be able to absorb copious amounts of naturally produced Vitamin D with this new alignment.
Buffalo's conference includes incumbent teams: Boston,Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. The two new imports are Tampa and Florida.
The Sabres will have to sharpen their pencil if they are going to make the Playoffs. They will have to finish in the top four teams. Boston will be a beast for years to come. Toronto is on the come. Montreal is always competitive. Tampa and Florida are emerging. Ottawa are finding their way back to respectability.
The other conferences are:
New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina
Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg
Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado
The good news for Sabres fans is that you get to see more of Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis and the Bolts. The bad news: you have to be lulled to sleep by Guy Boucher's "1-3-1 Trap".
Former Portland Pirates head coach, Kevin Dineen, is the current bench boss in Sunrise. He's largely responsible for the present day success of Sabres blue chippers Adam, Ennis, Gerbe, Enroth, Brennan and more. He's also had a midas Touch with regard to the present success of the Florida Panthers. This team will not be an easy out this season, or for the foreseeable future as GM Dale Tallon is committed to blowing high dough for top free agents.
thanks, nhl.com
According to the NHL, the teams in the seven-team Conferences will have 46 out-of-conference games, including 23 at home and 23 on the road. The teams in the eight-team Conferences will have 44 out-of-conference games evenly split between home and away.
As a result of the new four-conference alignment, the Stanley Cup Playoffs will follow a different format as well.
The top four teams in each Conference will qualify for the playoffs. The first-place team in each conference would play the fourth-place team in the same conference; the second-place team would play the third-place team.
The four respective Conference champions would meet in the third round, with the survivors playing for the Stanley Cup.
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Brendan Shanahan will be announcing his suspension decision today for the Jordin Tootoo wipe-out of Ryan Miller on Saturday night in Nashville.
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Updated Monday 7:41pm:
According to TSNs Darren Dreger's tweet:
"Decision and announcement on Tootoo suspension will be made tomorrow"
NHL Czar of Discipline, Brendan Shanahan, conducted the over-the-phone hearing with Tootoo at 5pm EDT Tuesday.
I'm thinking that there will be a suspension, however, the length is not known right now.
Shanahan is at the NHL Board of Governors meetings in California right now. Perhaps the delay is that Shanahan will have to fly back to NYC to produce and star in his official suspension video.
You make the call:
Guilty.
Miller was in his office, defending the shot lane when Tootoo left his skates, ala "Super Fly Snooka", then wipes out the Buffalo tender.
As we await Principal Shanahan's disciplinary hearing with Nashville's Jordin Tootoo, lets talk about the team.
The Sabres skated at First Niagara Center earlier today. Big road win at Nashville Saturday night. Now its time for a week-long home stand which commences on Wednesday night vs. Philly.
Lindy Ruff wishes the NHL would adopt supplimental discipline, the way that the NFL handles their business.
Ryan Miller spoke about the Tootoo hit and the impending importance of the NHL protecting its goaltending union.
Miller wants to move on from the incident, however, he wants the league to do their part to protect him while he works. Miller says that he was 100% to play and return to the lineup on Saturday night, and he is feeling no ill-effects from the collision.
thanks, sabres.com
Miller says that he is pleased at the way that his boys--- Goose, Ellis, Ehrhoff-- reacted to Tootoo's idiocy with their swift and sudden take down and facial therapy that was applied to the Predator.
Nathan Gerbe spoke about his scary brush with Goose's skate blade to his face on Friday night.
thanks, sabres.com
Gerbe dodged a big bullet on the "freak" play. He'll be back on Wednesday night vs. the Flyers.
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