This needs to happen!!!!
Smythe would be awesome:
Van, Cal, Edm, Min, Win, Col, Phoenix (Hamilton?)
Norris:
SJS, Anaheim, LA, Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, CBJ
Adams:
Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ottawa
Patrick:
Montreal, NYI, NJD, NYR, Florida, Washington, Tampa, Carolina

(if they want to re-name divisions for,say, Gretzky/Lemieux ect that's fine too)
- FLflames34

I could live with this.

This needs to happen!!!!
Smythe would be awesome:
Van, Cal, Edm, Min, Win, Col, Phoenix (Hamilton?)
Norris:
SJS, Anaheim, LA, Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, CBJ
Adams:
Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ottawa
Patrick:
Montreal, NYI, NJD, NYR, Florida, Washington, Tampa, Carolina

(if they want to re-name divisions for,say, Gretzky/Lemieux ect that's fine too)
- FLflames34

Nice! I like the looks of the Adams a lot better with Pittsburgh and Philly, as opposed to the two Florida teams unnaturally spliced in there as with the NHL's proposal

Though I can understand the rationale for putting the Panthers and Lightning in the same division as the Leafs and Habs, since those fanbases buy quite a few tickets to Habs/Leafs road games.

Nice! I like the looks of the Adams a lot better with Pittsburgh and Philly, as opposed to the two Florida teams unnaturally spliced in there as with the NHL's proposal

Though I can understand the rationale for putting the Panthers and Lightning in the same division as the Leafs and Habs, since those fanbases buy quite a few tickets to Habs/Leafs road games.
- Mr_Clean

Was trying to keep it in forms where old rivalries (Tor/Det, Buff/Bos) can remain, while the 3 NY/NJ teams rekindling theirs. And the two FL teams should be competitive rivalry-wise, and Ott/Tor among others.
A lot of it was geographically more sound, and somewhat a throwback to how it used to be too.

Was trying to keep it in forms where old rivalries (Tor/Det, Buff/Bos) can remain, while the 3 NY/NJ teams rekindling theirs. And the two FL teams should be competitive rivalry-wise, and Ott/Tor among others.
A lot of it was geographically more sound, and somewhat a throwback to how it used to be too.
- FLflames34

Yes exactly! Of course, people will always quibble over the placement of individual teams but probably the best comprehensive realignment proposal I've seen on here overall

We are only going to have one contract spot open so I doubt we can have Svatos and Kovalev, and its not like we have to have either one of them, as we have plenty of 3rd and 4th line guys hanging around like cords of wood in a warm winter. Lets give Upshall a chance, we had him one season and he was hurt for most of it, lets see what he's got.

Even with the buyout provision in the new CBA it is hard to imagine the Panthers making any deal for Luongo. The problem is the length of the deal. If the Panthers want to buy it out (or the Canucks for that matter) it is reputed to cost $39.6 million in cash. That would be a lot of cash even for the Canucks and crippling to the Panthers. Even if we could get him for next to nothing, the locked in length of the deal and the prohibitive cost of the buyout are major impediments to a team like the Panthers without much cash and with a young goalie almost ready to take over the franchise in Markstrom. As much as Lou may want to come back and may want to force the deal to the Panthers, I do not think Tallon or ownership of the Cats makes this deal.

Even with the buyout provision in the new CBA it is hard to imagine the Panthers making any deal for Luongo. The problem is the length of the deal. If the Panthers want to buy it out (or the Canucks for that matter) it is reputed to cost $39.6 million in cash. That would be a lot of cash even for the Canucks and crippling to the Panthers. Even if we could get him for next to nothing, the locked in length of the deal and the prohibitive cost of the buyout are major impediments to a team like the Panthers without much cash and with a young goalie almost ready to take over the franchise in Markstrom. As much as Lou may want to come back and may want to force the deal to the Panthers, I do not think Tallon or ownership of the Cats makes this deal.
- clarkey

Luongo not only brings an automatic playoff birth with him.. most likely.. but the man puts butts in the seats. We'll need that coming out of a lockout. Let him start for a few years. Trade Theo/Clem asap and allow Markstrom to be the backup. Nearly an identical situation as Vancouver. As he gets older, the amount of his starts dwindles down and Markstrom takes over. It's a solid plan, really. But allowing Markstrom to learn from one of the best... look what it's done for Schneider.

The situation with Kulikov scares me. Doesn't look like he will be signed before camp. The good news is he's playing overseas. He is at least in game shape. Hopin' for the best there.

Luongo not only brings an automatic playoff birth with him.. most likely.. but the man puts butts in the seats. We'll need that coming out of a lockout. Let him start for a few years. Trade Theo/Clem asap and allow Markstrom to be the backup. Nearly an identical situation as Vancouver. As he gets older, the amount of his starts dwindles down and Markstrom takes over. It's a solid plan, really. But allowing Markstrom to learn from one of the best... look what it's done for Schneider.
- Panthers88

I used to subscribe to that plan, until I learned the cost of the buyout for him. As it stands, if we brought him in we might have him start between 1-3 seasons. Markstrom is darn near ready to get his opportunity, so maybe more likely 1.5 -2 seasons, and we see and know how Lou feels about riding the pine as a backup. At that point we are stuck with that contract for at a minimum 7 more seasons, with the possibility of 8.5 more seasons- for a backup, with a very expensive buyout provision (and I believe if I am correct that there are only buyout options this summer and the next, and after that no more buyouts). That is a long time. Combine that with the fact that this team will have to pony up some cash at the end of this season as contracts like Weiss's and Markstrom's and many others will be up (and we will obviously have big money locked up on Campbell, and Jovo, and (hopefully) Kulikov (who is looking to be very expensive) and I no longer like the "Luongo for near free" deal.

As for fans- Panther fans I know either love him or despise him, and its roughly an equal number. Most of those who I know who had season tickets when Lou was here want nothing to do with him, so I am not sure we get the big ticket buying "bounce" off of Lou. I think proper marketing of Huberdeau and Markstrom will sell far more seats in the near future. After-all, Marky is a fan fave in San Antonio and quite the young, cocky character.

If Theo and Clemm can hold us together for even half this short season we can happily forget about Lou rumors. If our goaltending tandem lays an egg it may get hard to not eat that crappy ass contract of Lou's.

I used to subscribe to that plan, until I learned the cost of the buyout for him. As it stands, if we brought him in we might have him start between 1-3 seasons. Markstrom is darn near ready to get his opportunity, so maybe more likely 1.5 -2 seasons, and we see and know how Lou feels about riding the pine as a backup. At that point we are stuck with that contract for at a minimum 7 more seasons, with the possibility of 8.5 more seasons- for a backup, with a very expensive buyout provision (and I believe if I am correct that there are only buyout options this summer and the next, and after that no more buyouts). That is a long time. Combine that with the fact that this team will have to pony up some cash at the end of this season as contracts like Weiss's and Markstrom's and many others will be up (and we will obviously have big money locked up on Campbell, and Jovo, and (hopefully) Kulikov (who is looking to be very expensive) and I no longer like the "Luongo for near free" deal.

As for fans- Panther fans I know either love him or despise him, and its roughly an equal number. Most of those who I know who had season tickets when Lou was here want nothing to do with him, so I am not sure we get the big ticket buying "bounce" off of Lou. I think proper marketing of Huberdeau and Markstrom will sell far more seats in the near future. After-all, Marky is a fan fave in San Antonio and quite the young, cocky character.

If Theo and Clemm can hold us together for even half this short season we can happily forget about Lou rumors. If our goaltending tandem lays an egg it may get hard to not eat that crappy ass contract of Lou's.
- clarkey

Clarkey.. I was being sarcastic lol. I don't want Luongo.

The situation with Kulikov scares me. Doesn't look like he will be signed before camp. The good news is he's playing overseas. He is at least in game shape. Hopin' for the best there.
- Panthers88

Cue up Ellerby. Mike Caruso is at try-outs and is having a good defensive year for San Antonio (32 games and +4 on a terrible San Antonio team), maybe he can be used like Ellerby has in the past- watch from the stands until we need a fill-in? Don't know what the situation is with Kuli but he apparently wants a ton of money or years eh?

I know that we Panthers fans are intrigued by the Kovalev and Svatos try-outs but I for one would love to see the Panthers bring Drew Shore up. I know we are being patient with their development and giving the young guys time, but a couple points for bringing him in if he has a decent try-out:

1) Its a short season so it gives him a taste of the NHL at a half-season wear and tear rate, and against opposition that will not be at its best for several weeks (as players get in game shape, adjust to the North American game again and find chemistry) while Shore has been playing against top notch opposition (especially in their division with OKC and the Oilers young studs). This is actually a great opportunity they will not have again to break him in gently.

2) Shore is lighting it up in San Antonio on what is otherwise a terrible team. He has played 39 games and has 29 points (tied for team lead) and is + 4 on a team that gives up loads of goals. Shore has an AHL playoffs behind him (9 games last season where he had 2 goals after playing only 8 regular season games--with 3 points- after leaving Denver U.).

3) As stated above, he has been playing top quality opposition that has been NHL caliber like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Gustav Nyquist--all who will be in the NHL as this season begins.

Lets give him a shot to push Mueller or Upshall. We were hell-bent on getting Bjugstad to sign over the summer (thank goodness he went back to school) and Shore looks just as ready with his quick adjustment to the AHL.

Huberdeau-Shore-Mueller?

Clarkey.. I was being sarcastic lol. I don't want Luongo.
- Panthers88

Sorry- missed it bud!

Isn't it nice to be able to talk Panthers again!!

Cue up Ellerby. Mike Caruso is at try-outs and is having a good defensive year for San Antonio (32 games and +4 on a terrible San Antonio team), maybe he can be used like Ellerby has in the past- watch from the stands until we need a fill-in? Don't know what the situation is with Kuli but he apparently wants a ton of money or years eh?

I know that we Panthers fans are intrigued by the Kovalev and Svatos try-outs but I for one would love to see the Panthers bring Drew Shore up. I know we are being patient with their development and giving the young guys time, but a couple points for bringing him in if he has a decent try-out:

1) Its a short season so it gives him a taste of the NHL at a half-season wear and tear rate, and against opposition that will not be at its best for several weeks (as players get in game shape, adjust to the North American game again and find chemistry) while Shore has been playing against top notch opposition (especially in their division with OKC and the Oilers young studs). This is actually a great opportunity they will not have again to break him in gently.

2) Shore is lighting it up in San Antonio on what is otherwise a terrible team. He has played 39 games and has 29 points (tied for team lead) and is + 4 on a team that gives up loads of goals. Shore has an AHL playoffs behind him (9 games last season where he had 2 goals after playing only 8 regular season games--with 3 points- after leaving Denver U.).

3) As stated above, he has been playing top quality opposition that has been NHL caliber like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, and Gustav Nyquist--all who will be in the NHL as this season begins.

Lets give him a shot to push Mueller or Upshall. We were hell-bent on getting Bjugstad to sign over the summer (thank goodness he went back to school) and Shore looks just as ready with his quick adjustment to the AHL.

Huberdeau-Shore-Mueller?
- clarkey

Huberdeau is the future of this organization, picked 3rd overall and has showed in juniors that he could be a very special player. What's your logic putting him on a line with another rookie and a guy who's been considered a bust? Huberdeau will be on the top line or the 2nd line. You don't put a guy like that on the bottom two lines unless he's horrible from the get go.

Huberdeau is a pure passer, he sees the ice better than most. You have to get a skilled guy on his line. The problem with that is Flash, Weiss and Steeger are not separating. After that this team really doesn't have anymore skill. Goc is a hard working 2nd to 3rd line player, Bergy is a big time player but over the course of the season he's inconsistent.

What I hope is that Huberdeau breaks out and takes over the top center role while Weiss mans the 2nd or vise versa. That would be great, I just don't see it. Huber is undersized and we really don't have any other rookies on offense coming up. Shore is one but is Howden? I think Tallon missed on Howden, he's not that good. I've seen him play, he's very inconsistent.