What's your problem here?

My opinion is that the league as a whole would be improved by having at least 2 fewer teams. We'd have two fewer unsistainable franchises, less need for profit sharing, fewer labor disruptions, and better quality of hockey.

The NHL was a better league before it got dreams of expansion filling its head. That's an opinion, and not an unpopular one.

Yes, I realize that the league has 30 teams, and that if any are to fold, it will be done so reluctantly, obviously. The NHL under Bettman will ensure they at least go down kicking and screaming.

My argument wasn't that I think teams will fold, but that they should.
- Leeman4Gilmour

It wouldn't be improved. Improvement is strengthening franchises, not getting rid of them. By that same logic, the NHL would be spectacular as a 12 team league. Doesn't mean it makes any business sense whatsoever.

The NHL will be better and stronger when it has 30 franchises in 30 markets that can handle it. Losing two teams does not work. For anybody.

Are they gonna stream the game on this site again?
http://ourleafs.blogspot.ca

is that the best quality stream?
- cnixon15

For what it's worth, the game is on the TSN national broadcast tonight.

and who exactly will be giving us payback? Montreal is all small players and your bad boy Prust got taken out by Fraser, imagine if he went against brown HAHA
- matt1337

Oh yeah, seein Fraser and Brown taken out that fu, meant, guy, yeah!

We are first in the East... where do you stand?

Have a good game tonight everyone!
- Tripple_B9

we stand at 2-0 against the #1 in the east. and have no chance of being out muscled.

Prust and Brown are pretty equal match ups.. Brown will win most of them but Prust is (frank)in tough man.....
- Arctic_AARDVARK

his fights that i have seen this season hasn't reflected his fights from last year

his fights that i have seen this season hasn't reflected his fights from last year
- matt1337

i still wouldn't doubt the guy. Leafs are spoiled with the 3 toughest guys in the NHL (arguably).. Middleweight Brown and Prust are probably 1 and 2

It wouldn't be improved. Improvement is strengthening franchises, not getting rid of them. By that same logic, the NHL would be spectacular as a 12 team league. Doesn't mean it makes any business sense whatsoever.

The NHL will be better and stronger when it has 30 franchises in 30 markets that can handle it. Losing two teams does not work. For anybody.
- Two_For_Truth

Thats right UG. You tell him how wrong he is. Get'm big fella.

Oh I totally agree the long road trips make more sense than zipping out and back constantly, I just don't know if it's feasible for scheduling. I honestly don't know, I just suspect part of the reason teams have to keep moving around constantly is because the schedulers for venues have a whole lot of different things to accomodate. I mean, otherwise I don't see why they don't do it. Because if you go on the road for a long stretch, that means you have to also be home for a long stretch and those long blocks of bookings aren't good for the resident basketball team, concerts, etc. But I get the point of the suggestion for sure.
- Zezel

There might be some situations where a team would have to play back-to-back nights at home or on the road but it's nothing that's so radical that it can't be worked with. Teams often have five or six game home stands or road trips. It's just a few extra games and a different cycle of playing games.

dp

It wouldn't be improved. Improvement is strengthening franchises, not getting rid of them. By that same logic, the NHL would be spectacular as a 12 team league. Doesn't mean it makes any business sense whatsoever.

The NHL will be better and stronger when it has 30 franchises in 30 markets that can handle it. Losing two teams does not work. For anybody.
- Two_For_Truth

*sigh*

No, it does't mean the league would be spectacular with 12 teams. There would obviously be an over-abundance of demand and talent that would require more teams to meet it.

The league is not in good shape as a 30 team league. There isn't enough demand for hockey in North America for 30 teams to succeed, or even survive short of life support.

The optimal number, based on how many people follow and play the game, is probably around 28. Hockey is nowhere close to the baseball, basketball, and football in North America. Why should we have almost as many teams?

You've got about half a dozen franchises in perpetual dire straits. Relocate 2-4 and fold 2. It's harsh, but so be it. The league would be stronger for it.

i still wouldn't doubt the guy. Leafs are spoiled with the 3 toughest guys in the NHL (arguably).. Middleweight Brown and Prust are probably 1 and 2
- Arctic_AARDVARK

yea we have the best fighters in the league, Orr and McLaren are perfect heavy weights, Brown throws just as good with his left as he does with his right

Thats right UG. You tell him how wrong he is. Get'm big fella.
- systemtool

Supply and demand, less teams, larger stadiums, higher prices, play once a week....NFL on ice.

yea we have the best fighters in the league, Orr and McLaren are perfect heavy weights, Brown throws just as good with his left as he does with his right
- matt1337

We still have guys like Fraser to mop up messes. Or if you're a pussified team like the Habs, Kostka can handle poop.

Supply and demand, less teams, larger stadiums, higher prices, play once a week....NFL on ice.
- cdjaakkola

Does the Rosetta Stone help one read too? Or is that what you meant by supply and demand. Billions of people, one stone.

yea we have the best fighters in the league, Orr and McLaren are perfect heavy weights, Brown throws just as good with his left as he does with his right
- matt1337

Mr. broken orbital bone can attest to that.

yea we have the best fighters in the league, Orr and McLaren are perfect heavy weights, Brown throws just as good with his left as he does with his right
- matt1337

Id love to see brown on the ultimate fighter...

Does the Rosetta Stone help one read too? Or is that what you meant by supply and demand. Billions of people, one stone.
- systemtool

We still have guys like Fraser to mop up messes. Or if you're a pussified team like the Habs, Kostka can handle poop.
- systemtool

its good cause now phaneuf doesn't need to step up. last year i went to a few games and everyone expected phaneuf to take on every player on every team

Id love to see brown on the ultimate fighter...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

lol could you imagine?

We are first in the East... where do you stand?

Have a good game tonight everyone!
- Tripple_B9

A little wobbly after a few beers, but probably still more steady than Bourque.

Mr. broken orbital bone can attest to that.
- cdjaakkola

Who's got a broken orbital bone?

its good cause now phaneuf doesn't need to step up. last year i went to a few games and everyone expected phaneuf to take on every player on every team
- matt1337

Gangstarr - Mass Appeal.

Leafs will continue dominance of Habs... 4-1 Leafs!
- steve362

5-2 habs then tank

Who's got a broken orbital bone?
- Jeffmt

McGinn. Brown effed him up pretty badly.

Who's got a broken orbital bone?
- Jeffmt

The last guy who disagreed with UG's opinion.