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For the sake of debate, why? I've been to a few Detroit/Chicago games and watched several of them on tv and there's nothing particularly riveting about these "rivalries". When I think of rivalry, I think of a rough and tumble brawl on ice. When Detroit plays Chicago, it's just like when Detroit plays Tampa Bay. What sets this "rivalry" apart from any other matchup?
Yeah no kidding! my first hawks game was vs Detroit, it was crazy! Plus gotta love the "Detroit Sucks" chant coming from 22,000 fans! or 110% capacity of the united center.
Yeah no kidding! my first hawks game was vs Detroit, it was crazy! Plus gotta love the "Detroit Sucks" chant coming from 22,000 fans! or 110% capacity of the united center.
When I went to games at the United Center there was more Detroit fans.
For the sake of debate, why? I've been to a few Detroit/Chicago games and watched several of them on tv and there's nothing particularly riveting about these "rivalries". When I think of rivalry, I think of a rough and tumble brawl on ice. When Detroit plays Chicago, it's just like when Detroit plays Tampa Bay. What sets this "rivalry" apart from any other matchup?
History. Tradition. But, yeah, the rivalries aren't what they used to be. The on with Colorado, now that was a rivalry! I miss that. I think Detroit is more midwestern than eastern, as well. The midwestern teams are just one timezone apart so it's no big deal.
History. Tradition. But, yeah, the rivalries aren't what they used to be. The on with Colorado, now that was a rivalry! I miss that. I think Detroit is more midwestern than eastern, as well. The midwestern teams are just one timezone apart so it's no big deal.
Well, maybe I was spoiled with that rivalry, because that's the one that set the benchmark for me. It's not so much the fighting as it was the intensity. The hits were bigger, the goals were more bitter (or sweet), and the intensity was through the roof.
Indeed, and that's actually what I was thinking about when I posted that. The game was last season on March 4th. It was a Sunday afternoon game, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. But the Joe was relatively quiet throughout the entire game. I don't think there was a single fight or scuffle. The Blackhawks ended up winning that game. I was somewhat disappointed, not only because the Hawks beat my Wings, but because it was such a low-key game. I've been to indoor lacrosse games that were more exciting and more intense.
Indeed, and that's actually what I was thinking about when I posted that. The game was last season on March 4th. It was a Sunday afternoon game, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. But the Joe was relatively quiet throughout the entire game. I don't think there was a single fight or scuffle. The Blackhawks ended up winning that game. I was somewhat disappointed, not only because the Hawks beat my Wings, but because it was such a low-key game. I've been to indoor lacrosse games that were more exciting and more intense.
The games I went to at the United Center in Chicago were always quite lively. Some of the in-game attitude could be attributed to Detroit being a less aggressive & fighting team over the past few years. I think Tootoo was brought in to bring some of the old time hockey back to Motown.
Count me in the crowd that is very happy they're abandoning four distinct conferences. I'm glad that the East and West Conferences will live on.
With that said, this new "wild card" format seems completely unwarranted. Yes, it's possible that the 5-seed in the Midwest could accumulate more points than the 4-seed in the Pacific, but boo-hoo. How bad should we feel about a fifth place team not qualifying for the playoffs? I hate the idea of the 4-seeds switching divisions for the playoffs just to ensure the inferior wildcard/4-seed plays the top 1-seed. That really kills what they're trying to accomplish with the first two rounds of divisional playoffs. If they're going to do this, they might as well just keep the 1 thru 8 seedings by conference just as they have it now.
As a fan of a western team, I'm glad to see the East saddled with the 8 team divisions. Maybe you can make the case that this levels the playing field given the easier travel schedule, but I still don't think it's right. I almost think that they should table this alignment until 32 teams are a reality. There really isn't anything fundamentally wrong with 5 x 6. Just swap Winnipeg with Detroit or Columbus.
This is nitpicking, but I'm not crazy about the 'Midwest' name. I would go 'Pacific' and 'Central' (or even 'Norris') in the West. The East should be 'Northeast' and 'Atlantic'. The division with the Florida teams should probably be the 'Atlantic'.
The proposal would have two divisions in each conference, with the top three teams in each division being guaranteed a playoff spot and the two remaining spots being given to the two next best teams, regardless of division.
Proposed divisions are:
WEST
Pacific
Anahiem
Calgary
Edmonton
LA
Phoenix
San Jose
Vancouver
Midwest
Chicago
Colorado
Dallas
Minnesota
Nashville
St. Louis
Winnipeg
EAST
Central
Boston
Buffalo
Detroit
Florida
Montreal
Ottawa
Tampa
Toronto
Atlantic
Carolina
Columbus
New Jersey
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
Thoughts?
I am against this type of realignment. They need to retract to 28 teams, expand to 32 teams so it is balanced, or relocate one of the eastern teams to the west so both conferences are balanced.
The only team that is getting screwed right now is Winnipeg. Move WPG to the Northwest, Minnesota to the Central, and Nashville to the Southeast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bondurant
Good for television, bad for Red Wings fans. Bye bye traditional rivals. The prospect for Detroit v Chicago Cup final is pretty cool, though.
Red Wings would renew rivalries with other Original Six teams. The Hawks would develop new rivalries...anyways the Hawks two biggest rivals are Vancouver and STL right now.
I am against this type of realignment. They need to retract to 28 teams, expand to 32 teams so it is balanced, or relocate one of the eastern teams to the west so both conferences are balanced.
The only team that is getting screwed right now is Winnipeg. Move WPG to the Northwest, Minnesota to the Central, and Nashville to the Southeast.
Red Wings would renew rivalries with other Original Six teams. The Hawks would develop new rivalries...anyways the Hawks two biggest rivals are Vancouver and STL right now.
Moving Winnipeg to the Northwest would require them to play two time zones over on a regular basis.
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