Vokoun in net tonight.

The team owes him a game, minus that 6th goal vs Philly

Vokoun will play a great game tonight. Last game was just his welcome to the Pens-Flyers yips.

Yes, I heard the comments and Brower is right with what he said. I will be interested in seeing what Semin does as a response.
- Oneonta Penguin

What was it?

Why does realignment need to follow a geographical bias? I understand travel will be the reason cited. MLB and the NFL, however, do not have leagues based on geography. They have geographical divisions within those conferences.

I think it would be pretty neat to have two conferences, each with an east and a west. You could have one conference of original 6 and 1967 expansion teams and one with post 1967 teams--- obviously allowing some variance for balance of teams. It would certainly make the ensuing fiacos created by relocation (Phoenix) and expansion easier to deal with.

Thoughts?

Just changing subjects:

Mike Tomlin was at the combine to see Tyrann Mathieu:
http://sports.yahoo.com/b...mbine-144747502--nfl.html

This Leon Sandcastle has the coolest look of all and is a GREAT GREAT athlete. Wouldn't mind seeing him in the Steelers.

Look for Sid to carry the load tonight. I expect another big night from him. I say 4 points, 2 g 2 a. 6-2 Pens

Why does realignment need to follow a geographical bias? I understand travel will be the reason cited. MLB and the NFL, however, do not have leagues based on geography. They have geographical divisions within those conferences.

I think it would be pretty neat to have two conferences, each with an east and a west. You could have one conference of original 6 and 1967 expansion teams and one with post 1967 teams--- obviously allowing some variance for balance of teams. It would certainly make the ensuing fiacos created by relocation (Phoenix) and expansion easier to deal with.

Thoughts?
- Tiogadog

I think it has to do with playoff travel more than anything. With the new proposal, you'd play your "division" teams a bunch, and the have play everyone else twice, regardless of who else is in your "conference".

If you had East & West mixed once playoff started, you could have cross country travel for all four rounds if things worked out that way. I don't think anyone wants that, and you'd probably have to go to the 2-3-2 format which sucks balls.

I think it has to do with playoff travel more than anything. With the new proposal, you'd play your "division" teams a bunch, and the have play everyone else twice, regardless of who else is in your "conference".

If you had East & West mixed once playoff started, you could have cross country travel for all four rounds if things worked out that way. I don't think anyone wants that, and you'd probably have to go to the 2-3-2 format which sucks balls.
- rival22

I get it... just think it would be cool to have it like MLB

I don't mind the re-alignment, but would prefer to keep the top 8 playoff approach. With 7 or 8 team divisions, you could easily have a team in 5th in one who has a better record than the 4th in another. I've seen different wild card scenarios too, but it just seems like they are trying to fix something that isn't broken.

Not sure about coaches challenges... depends on what is challenge-able and what isn't. I mean, all goals are automatically reviewed, are we just talking about challenging penalties or stuff like offsides?

We've seen that Duchesne offsides goal, but that's easy because it resulted in an immediate goal. What happens if they get the zone and cycle for a minute and a half and then score. Does the missed offsides still wipe out the goal?
- rival22

I hate the whole thing, specifically the tinkering with the playoff format.

CBJ/NSH to SE, WPG to Central, keep playoff format the same. Done.

I hate the whole thing, specifically the tinkering with the playoff format.

CBJ/NSH to SE, WPG to Central, keep playoff format the same. Done.
- Gunner Staal

I'd be fine with that... at least until the inevitable expansion happens. Because right now, you'd have to rework things for future Toronto or Quebec City team(s). You can't move Columbus or Detroit back out West after you moved them East.

I'd be fine with that... at least until the inevitable expansion happens. Because right now, you'd have to rework things for future Toronto or Quebec City team(s). You can't move Columbus or Detroit back out West after you moved them East.
- rival22

When expansion happens figure out the real realignment then. Columbus needs to be in the East way more than Detroit does.

Why does realignment need to follow a geographical bias? I understand travel will be the reason cited. MLB and the NFL, however, do not have leagues based on geography. They have geographical divisions within those conferences.

I think it would be pretty neat to have two conferences, each with an east and a west. You could have one conference of original 6 and 1967 expansion teams and one with post 1967 teams--- obviously allowing some variance for balance of teams. It would certainly make the ensuing fiacos created by relocation (Phoenix) and expansion easier to deal with.

Thoughts?
- Tiogadog

Even bigger then travel seems to be time zones. They want teams to play road games within there own timezone. For TV. I guess if they can get more viewers then they can sell even the local TV deals for more money.

All about $$$$$

Hopefully, if there is a fight, it won't come when the Pens are up 3-0 and dominating the game, a la Joe Vitale. No problem with fighting. Just thought Vitale picked a poor time to oblige Hall on Sunday.
- Tiogadog

I liked that fight. Pens play 25 minutes a night. a fight like that may wake them up a little, "Look 5'11'' vitale is fighting 6'3'' Hall, maybe I should put more focus/effort in my game", type thing.

How about, with all the injuries, Ottawa has won 5 straight and is only 1 point behind Montreal in the Northeast. They should just hand MacLean the Adams trophy now.

Even bigger then travel seems to be time zones. They want teams to play road games within there own timezone. For TV. I guess if they can get more viewers then they can sell even the local TV deals for more money.

All about $$$$$
- Superfan87

That is a big point. Right now, Columbus & Detroit only have each other in their timezone, correct? Besides the TV deals, it's hard to build a young fanbase in a city where kids can't ever watch the end of a road game.

How about, with all the injuries, Ottawa has won 5 straight and is only 1 point behind Montreal in the Northeast. They should just hand MacLean the Adams trophy now.
- cap1681

Maritime coaching at its best. Not a Sens fan, but I know the family..

I have supported the challenge thing from the begining. If someone takes my players head off and gets two minutes it's not fair he is still in the game and my player is hurt. It only leads to biblical justice to retaliate. The specifics are important. We have seen several calls wheen it's the players own stick that hits his face, also would be helpful to eliminate head shots as well. In principle I support the concept and realize it might not be evaluated until the play stops. It will need to be a light though not a flag.

How about, with all the injuries, Ottawa has won 5 straight and is only 1 point behind Montreal in the Northeast. They should just hand MacLean the Adams trophy now.
- cap1681

Defensively they are tight and are proof of the keep it simple rule. They dump and chase get it in deep and surround the puck on PK and also cause turnovers in the other teams zone when they don't have the puck. I love the way they protect and attack the puck. Very aggressive.

I have supported the challenge thing from the begining. If someone takes my players head off and gets two minutes it's not fair he is still in the game and my player is hurt. It only leads to biblical justice to retaliate. The specifics are important. We have seen several calls wheen it's the players own stick that hits his face, also would be helpful to eliminate head shots as well. In principle I support the concept and realize it might not be evaluated until the play stops. It will need to be a light though not a flag.
- powerhouse

The problem that I see with it, for every clear cut missed call on a headshot or whatever, there are 20 that fall in the grey, subjective area. For many of the hits, we can watch the replay a dozen times from all angles and still not agree on if it's a minor, major, suspension or nothing.

I've been trying to figure out if the eaton signing means anything more than a depth move. if he plays well enough for a top 6 role, then the glut of d-men continues. with letang, martin, orpik, niskenan all playing good top 4 roles, that leaves despres, bortuzzo, engalend, eaton (and I thought reese played well too) for the last 2 spots. what name sticks out there... does maybe the eaton move allow shero to shop despres for a winger (or maybe ROR ) with the mountain of d-prospects coming up, shero is gonna have to move 1 or 2 of the young guns to maximize potential... doesn't have to be now... but if they get the feel malkin is out for awhile....

That is a big point. Right now, Columbus & Detroit only have each other in their timezone, correct? Besides the TV deals, it's hard to build a young fanbase in a city where kids can't ever watch the end of a road game.
- rival22

@Aportzline
RT @CraigCustance: Per @Real_ESPNLeBrun, NHL and PA to meet after 3 seasons of new alignment to discuss any modification, if necessary.

@Aportzline
Per previous @CraigCustance tweet... "modification" could be seen as code for "back to the West, Columbus."

I get it... just think it would be cool to have it like MLB
- Tiogadog

personally, I hope hockey does everything in it's power to remain as different from MLB as possible. It already came dangerously close when the NHLPA hired Fehr...

I've been trying to figure out if the eaton signing means anything more than a depth move. if he plays well enough for a top 6 role, then the glut of d-men continues. with letang, martin, orpik, niskenan all playing good top 4 roles, that leaves despres, bortuzzo, engalend, eaton (and I thought reese played well too) for the last 2 spots. what name sticks out there... does maybe the eaton move allow shero to shop despres for a winger (or maybe ROR ) with the mountain of d-prospects coming up, shero is gonna have to move 1 or 2 of the young guns to maximize potential... doesn't have to be now... but if they get the feel malkin is out for awhile....
- ChrisMS

The problem with that, is that you can't assume how many of these prospects will or won't pan out.

Depres and Morrow are playing pro, so you have a bit of a better idea, but guys like Harrington, Maatta & Pouliot might turn out to be all stars, busts, or end up being bottom pairing guys in the NHL.

Want to give a shout out to a guy wearing a Staal jersey sitting in section 103 5 rows back from the ice during the Tampa game on sunday. He was with another guy that i assume is his brother. His brother had some kind of physical handicap, that he did not look to have any use of his legs. His brother carried him up and down the steps from what I counted atleast 4 times down and back for drinks food and what I assume was the restroom. His brother looked like he was having the time of his life at the game. Just wanted to say what a great man, makes you really think there is hope for this world after all. I know every person in the section looked at you hoping to be as good of a human being that you are, way to go Section 103 Staal.

Want to give a shout out to a guy wearing a Staal jersey sitting in section 103 5 rows back from the ice during the Tampa game on sunday. He was with another guy that i assume is his brother. His brother had some kind of physical handicap, that he did not look to have any use of his legs. His brother carried him up and down the steps from what I counted atleast 4 times down and back for drinks food and what I assume was the restroom. His brother looked like he was having the time of his life at the game. Just wanted to say what a great man, makes you really think there is hope for this world after all. I know every person in the section looked at you hoping to be as good of a human being that you are, way to go Section 103 Staal.
- nbartley9

now that's good stuff. way to go man